This study, conducted in Akressi, Côte d’Ivoire, assesses the impact of cover crops (Arachis repens and Desmodium adscendens) on soil properties and dessert banana production (Cavendish, Grande-Naine) over two cycles. Ferralitic soils, degraded by intensive monoculture, are examined using a Fischer block design with three treatments: control (bare soil with herbicides), A. repens, and D. adscendens. Soil physical properties (bulk density: 1.90–1.94 g/cm3, porosity: 25.15–27.18%, gravimetric moisture: 17.34–21.58%) remain unchanged (p > 0.05). After 12 months, cover crops enhance chemical properties: pH (5.80 control, 6.03 A. repens, 5.93 D. adscendens), organic carbon (1.11% control, 1.24% A. repens, 1.38% D. adscendens), organic matter (1.90% control, 2.13% A. repens, 2.37% D. adscendens), nitrogen (0.10% control, 0.11% A. repens, 0.12% D. adscendens), CEC (5.38 cmol/kg control, 7.20 cmol/kg A. repens, 8.61 cmol/kg D. adscendens), and calcium (1.56 cmol/kg control, 1.66 cmol/kg A. repens, 1.75 cmol/kg D. adscendens) increase significantly (p < 0.05). In the first cycle, growth (height: 245–247 cm) and yield (41.21–42.08 t/ha) are similar (p > 0.05). In the second cycle, control plants are taller (271.76 cm vs. 255.36 cm A. repens); A. repens delays flowering (158 vs. 135 days) and harvest (235 vs. 214 days D. adscendens) and reduces functional leaves (10.84 vs. 11.66 control at flowering) (p < 0.01). Desmodium adscendens increases hands (7.82 vs. 7.33 A. repens) and fingers (140.57 vs. 127.10 A. repens) (p < 0.05). Yields remain comparable (44.17 control, 44.36 A. repens, 44.50 t/ha D. adscendens). Cover crops, particularly D. adscendens, enhance soil chemical fertility without compromising yield, supporting sustainable banana production.

Yam (Dioscorea spp.) occupies an important place in the diet of the populations of Côte d'Ivoire. However, during storage, significant losses due to fungi are observed. The objective of this work was to know if traders are aware of the difficulties they encounter during the storage of yam tubers. To do this, a survey was conducted in four communes in the District of Abidjan. It was found that more than 94% of traders encounter enormous difficulties, particularly rotting during the storage of yams before sale. This mainly soft rot (93.75%) causes the loss of 10 to 20% of stocks according to 56.25% of traders. Although 87.5% of the traders felt they knew the causes of the rots, fungi were not mentioned at all. This study is a preliminary study that could be a database for a possible study on the identification and control of these fungi responsible for post-harvest rots.