Enhancing farmers’ access to neglected crop seeds for healthy diets in a changing climate: six recommendations for policy action

van Zonneveld, M., Castañeda-Álvarez, N. P., Achigan-Dako, E. G., Almekinders, C., de Haan, S., Hugo, W., Otieno, G., Ortiz, R., Raneri, J. E., Roa, C., Sperling, L., Spielman, D., & von Wettberg, E. (2026). Enhancing farmers’ access to neglected crop seeds for healthy diets in a changing climate: six recommendations for policy action. Food Security. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-026-01661-w […]
Genetic diversity and population structure of jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius L.) global collection to guide conservation and breeding

Shango, A. J., Omondi, E. O., N’Danikou, S., Tchokponhoué, D. A., Schranz, M. E., Rabary, B., Kabululu, M. S., Gumedze, T., Achigan-Dako, E. G., Venkataramana, P., Philipo, M. L., & vanZonneveld, M. (2026). Genetic diversity and population structure of jute mallow (Corchorus olitorius L.) global collection to guide conservation and breeding. The Plant Genome, 19, […]
Identification, Spatial Distribution and Genetic Diversity of Ralstonia solanacearum Species Complex Isolates From Gboma (Solanum macrocarpon) in Benin

Sossou, B. E., Sikirou, R., Chen, Jaw-rong., Ayenan, A. T. M., Chang, H., Ezin, V. E., Maxwell, L., Schafleitner, R. and Achigan-Dako, E. G. (2026). Identification, Spatial Distribution and Genetic Diversity of Ralstonia solanacearum Species Complex Isolates from Gboma (Solanum macrocarpon) in Benin. Plant Pathology, 2026; 0:e70165. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppa.70165 Gboma (African eggplant, Solanum macrocarpon), a leafy […]
Genetic structure of the shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn.) population and fatty acid-based selection of elite genotypes in Benin

Bodjrenou GJ, Gbètoho M, Honfo F, et al (2026) Genetic structure of the shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn.) population and fatty acid-based selection of elite genotypes in Benin. Physiology and Molecular Biology of Plants 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12298-026-01734-2 The shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn.) is an important source of oil, primarily used in the chocolate, cosmetics, and food […]
VACS Amaranth and Okra Phenotyping by Drones Workshop: Strengthening Agricultural Research through UAV Technology

From February 16 to 20, 2026, the Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Science Unit (GBioS) hosted an impactful workshop in Cotonou, Benin focussing on drone‑based phenotyping for amaranth and okra. The VACS Amaranth and Okra Phenotyping by Drones Workshop brought together researchers, graduate students, agronomists, and agricultural practitioners to explore how unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly […]
Leveraging plant-bacteria interactions for sustainable production of perennial fruit crops

Rabiath F.R. Adigoun, Hervé N.S. Aholoukpè, Alexis Durand, Dèdéou A. Tchokponhoué, Nicodème V. Fassinou Hotègni, Enoch G. Achigan-Dako, Aimé H. Bokonon-Ganta, Emile Benizri, 2026. Leveraging plant-bacteria interactions for sustainable production of perennial fruit crops. Current Plant Biology; 46: 100600, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpb.2026.100600. The use of chemical inputs in perennial fruit crop production, while effective in promoting high […]
Farmers’ perceptions and management of bacterial wilt disease: the case of gboma eggplant

Sossou, B. E., Ayenan, M. A. T., Rachidatou, S., Ezin, V. A., Bouraïma, M. B., Schreinemachers, P., Achigan Dako, E. G. (2026). Farmers’ perceptions and management of bacterial wilt disease: the case of gboma eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon L.) in Benin. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/14735903.2026.2636076 Leafy eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon L.), locally known as […]
Diversity of soil bacterial communities in response to fonio (Digitaria exilis Stapf) genotypes and pedoclimatic conditions in Benin

Akponikpè TLI, Sossa EL, Achigan-Dako EG, Amadji GL, Piutti S (2026) Diversity of soil bacterial communities in response to fonio (Digitaria exilis Stapf) genotypes and pedoclimatic conditions in Benin. PLoS One 21(1): e0330794. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0330794 In sub-Saharan regions, soil fertility is a major concern for plant productivity, influenced by physical, chemical, and biological components. Among biological properties, […]
2026
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 Akponikpè, T. L. I., Sossa, E. L., Ahoudou, I., Ibrahim Bio Yerima, A.R., Amadji, Guillaume L., Amadji, G.L., Piutti, S., and […]
Metabolomic-guided diversity analysis reveals chemotypic groups and cosmetic-relevant biomarkers in shea trees (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn.) for industrial applications

Guillaume J. Bodjrenou, Jérémy Grosjean, Fernande G. Honfo, Alain Hehn, Enoch G. Achigan-Dako, Alexandre Olry, Metabolomic-guided diversity analysis reveals chemotypic groups and cosmetic-relevant biomarkers in shea trees (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn.) for industrial applications, Industrial Crops and Products, Volume 239, 2026, 122354, ISSN 0926-6690, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2025.122354 Shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F. Gaertn) is valued mainly for […]
