Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an important cash crops that generates substantial income for producers in eastern region of Burkina Faso. Although sesame production has increased during this decade, but the yields remained low. The present study aims to improve sesame productivity, through determination of its cropping system in three agro-climatic zones of Burkina Faso. A survey was carried out on a sample of 300 producers in six communes (Bogandé, Mani, Diabo, Tibga, Pama and Kompienga) in eastern zones of Burkina Faso. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information quantitative and qualitative information. Results of the Ascending Hierarchical Classification showed three types of cropping system in the study area. A semi-intensive system (SCS1) with highest yields (358.17 ± 131.7 kg/ha) in the Sahelian and South Sudanian zone, and two extensive systems (SCS2 and SCS3) in the North Sudanian zone and South Sudanese zone. All of these different cropping systems are characterized by the cropping practices especially, the types of seeds used, the sowing method, the weeding method, soil fertility management, the level of education of farmer and sesame yield recorded. The study allowed to establish the typology of sesame-based cropping system in the study area, an important tool for the development of the sesame sector and technology adaptation for improving productivity.

Cowpea varieties respond differently to plant population per hectare due to their intrinsic morphological differences and the influence of the weather and soil condition in growing environment. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of plant population on growth and yield characters of erected and semi-erected cowpea varieties in two agroecological zones of Burkina Faso. A split-plot experiment with three replications conducted in two consecutive rainy seasons, 2019 and 2020, at Kamboinse and Farako-Ba research stations was used to determine the effect of three plant population, 62,500 (control), 95,258 and 111,111 on four improved cowpea varieties, KVx745-11P, Komcalle, Tiligre, Neerwaya. The results showed a significant variation of fodder and grain yield in both locations. At Farako-Ba the combined years data recorded the values of 3740.50, 5240.94 and 5164.02 kilogram per hectare for fodder yield and 1124.14, 1242.93 and 1372.93 kilogram per hectare for grain yield at the plant population of 62,500, 95,238 and 111,111, respectively. The same trend was Observed in Kamboinse with slightly higher average means of fodder and grain yield which were 4300.75, 6446.06, 6699.06 kilogram per hectare and 1285.82, 1481.06 and 1650.03 kilogram per hectare, respectively. From the study it is also noticed that grain and fodder yield were impacted by genotypes and environment. The positive relationship between plant population, fodder and grain yield suggest that improved cowpea varieties yield can be substantially increased with the plant population of 111,111 per hectare.