PIES Award 2026: Turning Expertise into Entrepreneurial Opportunities
Applications open from September 7 to October 2, 2026 Benin’s agricultural transformation depends not only on innovative farming practices and technologies, but also on a strong, innovative and entrepreneurial seed sector. Quality and adapted seeds are essential to improving productivity, strengthening food security and providing better-quality raw materials for agro-processing. To contribute to the development […]
First Report of Choanephora cucurbitarum Causing Wet Rot on Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) in Benin
Adegolou, F.A.L., Sikirou, R., Agoligan, F.V.P., Dossoumou, M.E., Houdegbe, A.C., Tchokponhoue, D.A., Schafleitner, R. and Achigan-Dako, E.G. (2026). First Report of Choanephora cucurbitarum Causing Wet Rot on Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) in Benin. New Disease Reports, 54, e70146. https://doi.org/10.1002/ndr2.70146 Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.; Amaranthaceae) is a dual-purpose crop, valued both as a leafy vegetable and a pseudocereal. Wet rot symptoms have […]
Genotype-by-environment interaction analysis for flowering, maturity time and yield in fonio across traditional and prospective production areas in Northern Benin
Akponikpè, T. L. I., Sossa, E. L., Ahoudou, I., Ibrahim Bio Yerima, A.R., Amadji, G.L., Piutti, S., and Achigan-Dako, E.G., Genotype-by-environment interaction analysis for flowering, maturity time and yield in fonio across traditional and prospective production areas in Northern Benin. Scientific Reports (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-61573-9 In this study, the critical gap in understanding how fonio (Digitaria […]
Genetic architecture and candidate loci associated with growth and yield-related traits in sweet fig banana (Musa acuminata cv Sotoumon, AA)
Capo-Chichi D.B.E., Tchokponhoué D.A., Sogbohossou D.E.O., Houégban J., N. V. Fassinou Hotegni, E G. Achigan-Dako. Genetic architecture and candidate loci associated with growth and yield-related traits in sweet fig banana (Musa acuminata cv Sotoumon, AA). BMC Genomics (2026). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-026-13036-8 Background: Yield in Sweet fig banana is an economic trait for enhancing the production in the […]
Toward omics-based breeding strategies for the shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn.)
G.J. Bodjrenou, M. Gbetoho, F. Amakpé, F.G. Honfo, A. Hehn, A. Olry, E.G. Achigan-Dako, Toward omics-based breeding strategies for the Shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn.), Curr. Plant Biol. (2026) 100632. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100632. Shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn.), a semi-domesticated tree in Africa, is valued for its products, particularly shea butter, which represents a multibillion-dollar commodity […]
Dr. Belchrist Eliel Sossou’s defense on the etiology and genetic resistance of gboma eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon L.) to bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum in Benin
The Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Science Unit (GBioS) proudly celebrates the successful PhD defense of Dr. Belchrist Eliel SOSSOU, held at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences (FSA) of the University of Abomey-Calavi. His doctoral research, entitled “Etiology and genetic resistance of gboma eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon L.) to bacterial wilt disease caused by ralstonia solanacearum in […]
Dr. Guillaume J. Bodjrenou’s defense on targeted selection of shea trees rich in fatty acids and specific unsaponifiable matter for the chocolate and cosmetics industry in Benin
The Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Science Unit (GBioS) is pleased to celebrate the remarkable achievement of Dr. Guillaume Bodjrenou, who has officially been awarded the title of Doctor by the University of Abomey-Calavi and the University of Lorraine following the successful defense of his doctoral thesis conducted under a joint supervision agreement between the two […]
Dr. Rabiath Féichokpè Raïssa Adigoun’s defense on diversity and performance of endophytic and rhizosphere bacteria for the growth stimulation of synsepalum dulcificum (schumach. & Thonn.) Daniell in Benin
The Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Science Unit (GBioS) proudly congratulates Dr. Rabiath Féichokpè Raïssa ADIGOUN on the successful defense of her PhD thesis, earning her a dual doctorate from the University of Abomey-Calavi and the University of Lorraine. Her research focused on Synsepalum dulcificum, commonly known as the miracle fruit plant, a species native to […]
Genetic analysis of biomass yield and related traits for hybrid cultivar development in the leafy vegetable Gynandropsis gynandra (L.) Briq.
Houdegbe AC, Achigan-Dako EG, Sogbohossou EOD, Salaou AMB, Rago DE, Schranz ME, Odindo AO, Sibiya J, (2026). Genetic analysis of biomass yield and related traits for hybrid cultivar development in the leafy vegetable Gynandropsis gynandra (L.) Briq. BMC Plant Biology, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-026-08814-1 Quantitative genetic parameters associated with the inheritance of biomass yield and related traits were evaluated […]
Steps to transform African opportunity crops into reality crops
Rutsaert P, Achigan-Dako EG, Ayenan MAT, Chamberlin J, Daudi H, Houdegbe AC, Kresovich S, Mbugua Gitonga A, Nas TM, Ojiewo CO, Sibiya J, Gandhi H, Banda VR, Niang M, Betran J, Chisikaurayi B, Egesi C, Gangashetty P, Ibitoye D, Mushoriwa H, Muungani D, Onyeka J, Schafleitner R, Tippe DE, Yohane EN, Pixley KV, 2026. Steps […]