Aims: Seed is the first basic input in agriculture, which is why seed production remains a key sector in a country’s agricultural development. However, germination capacity is extremely important in the context of seed exchange. The aim of this study is to evaluate the seed quality of five cowpea varieties. Methodology: One hundred (100) seeds of five cowpea varieties (Issa SOSSO, Neerwaya, Makoyin, Teeksongo and Yipoussi) were germinated in three germination tests (field test, Petri dish test and pot test). For this purpose, an Alpha design device with one repetition and five elementary plots for the germination test in open ground; 20 Petri dishes for the germination test in Petri dishes and 25 pots for the germination test in pots, were used to set up the various tests. Parameters such as germination rate, average germination time and seedling vigor were collected. Results: The results showed that the Issa SOSSO variety performed best in terms of germination rate (100%) in Petri dishes, while the Yipoussi variety performed best in pots (91%) and in the field (94%). In addition, a good germination capacity ranging from 88% to 100% in Petri dishes, from 59% to 91% in pots and from 60% to 94% in the field was observed in this study. However, the results of this work showed that the germination test in Petri dishes is the best method for testing the germinative vigour of seeds. Conclusion: On the other hand, the best seedling vigor performances were observed in pots and in the field. The good germinative capacity of seeds of the different varieties (>50%) observed could help boost cowpea production in Burkina Faso.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the improvement indices and the agro-morphological diversity of Ceratotheca sesamoides accessions from the Sudan-Sahelian and Sudanian climatic zones of Burkina Faso. For this purpose, a randomized Fisher block design with three replications was set up. Univariate analysis was used to evaluate the level of diversity and the varietal improvement indices. The evaluation of the links between the traits was done by Person’s correlation test. The structuring of the diversity was done by multivariate analyses. The results of this experiment reveal the existence of a high agro-morphological diversity on several traits. This diversity made it possible to divide the accessions collected into four groups. Of these, group I is made up of the best performing accessions. The best performing traits were dry and fresh leaf biomass, plant height and number of primary branches. The genetic parameters recorded that Group I accessions are best suited in a breeding and development program for the creation of varieties that meet the needs of producers. The study assessed the level of diversity, diversity structuring and improvement indices.

Cleome gynandra L., known as kenebdo in Burkina Faso is an important traditional leafy vegetable for nutritional supplement meant to populations in Burkina Faso where many people, especially children, are suffering from chronic malnutrition. Indeed, due to its high nutritional value, it is a good food supplement in providing nutritional and medicinal needs. This study aims at identifying varieties of interest according to climatic zones of Burkina Faso for varietal improvement of species through multi-local evaluations of a collection of C. gynandra. 36 accessions were basically collected in 12 provinces of Burkina Faso and used as plant material. Experiments were conducted in three sites located in the three climatic zones of Burkina Faso. They were conducted during rainy season using a Fischer block design with three replications. Measurements and observations were made on 16 variables, such as 4 qualitative and 12 quantitative variables. The study revealed great agromorphological variability within the accessions with significant different performances according to the three climatic zones. It also showed significant interaction between accessions and experimental sites for most of the variables. In general, the best agronomic performances were observed in Bobo Dioulasso followed by Ouagadougou while the low performances were recorded in Dori. For each climatic zone, a set of 10 accessions were identified as genotypes of interest that could be used for varietal improvement of C. gynandra in Burkina Faso.