The understanding of genetic diversity within local crop varieties constitutes an important step in the preservation of their genetic potential. The objective of this study was to assess the genetic diversity of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) cultivated in the Northwest of Benin and to reveal certain fundamental evolutionary mechanisms. A total of 61 accessions of sorghum landraces belonging to the four identified races in Benin were estimated using 20 microsatellite markers. For all the loci analyzed, 140 polymorphic alleles were detected with a mean value of 7.00 per locus and polymorphic information content (PIC) average value was 0.33 for all the 20 simple sequence repeats (SSRs), suggesting an important genetic diversity within the cultivated sorghum germplasm used. An unweighted pair group method arithmetic average (UPGMA) clustering and principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) based on DICE coefficient revealed three major genetic groups supported by two main components: the botanical race and the morpho-physiological characteristics of the grains (colour and degree of bitterness). It was thus recommended that further research on genetic diversity of sorghum should integrate these genetic parameters for a better preservation of the genetic resources of this important crop in Benin.

The main objective of this study is to investigate the patterns of genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships within populations of Detarium microcarpum (Fabaceae) relative to different spatial conditions. Seventy-eight (78) accessions of D. microcarpum belonging to six populations (Phytogeographic districts) were sampled. In order to have very good quality DNA for molecular analysis, an optimization of the DNA isolation protocol was made. The molecular analysis of the accessions was carried out using 7 chloroplast microsatellite markers. The polymorphism rate (P) is 85.71% and the Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) was in the range of 0.43 (Ntcp_9) to 0.73 (Ccmp_2) with an average of 0.59. Allelic richness (A) ranged from 1.41 to 2.85 with an average of 2.04. The observed heterozygosity (Ho) ranged from 0.23 to 0.60 with an average of 0.39. The expected heterozygosity (He) ranged from 0.43 to 0.60 with a mean of 0.50. Wright's fixation index (FIS) ranged from − 0.17 to 0.47. The effective allele (Ae) is between 1.77 and 2.53 with an average of 2.02. Wright differentiation index (FST) was 0.024. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the NST value was significantly higher than the GST value (NST = 0.452; GST = 0.190; P < 0.05). A relatively low hd haplotype diversity is obtained (Hd = 0.320). AMOVA analysis showed that 17.35% of the variation existed within populations but 45.80% among populations within the species. Neighbor-Joining phylogenetic tree of D. microcarpum revealed three non-distinct clusters haplotypes showing the existence of gene flow between populations of the species. Our findings of genetic structure and gene flow of D. microcarpum populations based on different spatial conditions is caused by evolutionary forces such as scattering and pollination.

The Republic of Benin has the potential to reduce its heavy dependence on rice imports to meet the needs of its population. For that, the identification of technological and policy interventions allowing to improve the performance of Beninese rice systems is necessary. This study therefore characterized the Beninese rice farming systems and identified the production constraints in the country's different rice-growing areas, and determinants of the adoption of improved varieties by farmers. Four hundred eighteen rice farm households were surveyed across 39 villages using participatory research tools and methods. An hierarchical cluster analysis were used to classify the surveyed farm households into rice farming systems based on household socio-demographic characteristics, farm resources, farming practices and access to agricultural extension services. The cluster analysis revealed four typologies of rice farming systems differentiated by 8 variables. These are, the semi-intensive rice farming system (cluster 1), subsistence rice farming (cluster 2), integrated rice–livestock farming system (cluster 3), and intensive rice farming system (cluster 4). The integrated rice–livestock farming system was the dominant type practiced in the northern Benin, while, it is the intensive rice farming system in the south. Fifteen production constraints across rice-growing areas were recorded, with the lack of agricultural machinery and credits as the most important. The land ownership, risk aversion, production of off-season rice, and contact of farmers with non-governmental organizations positively influenced the adoption of improved rice varieties. Our results suggest that initiatives to boost rice production in Republic of Benin should prioritize the establishment of formal agricultural credit and mechanization option policies. We recommend training of rice farmers on modern production techniques. To increase adoption of improved rice varieties, agricultural extension services should target landowners’ farmers practising off-season rice production, and having in addition to agricultural income, other income from various activities.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a real public health problem. All over the world, it has a considerable impact in hospitals. The present study aims to analyze the presence of resistance genes and bacterial ecology in two hospitals in Benin. Methods: To do this, 146 environmental and catheter samples were collected at the University Hospital Center of Abomey-Calavi / So-Ava and at the Beninese Army Hospital. These samples were inoculated on Mannitol Salt and Eosin Methylene Blue agars. The colonies obtained were identified and their sensitivity to antibiotics was tested, using the usual bacteriological techniques. Four resistance genes encoding the production of extended spectrum beta-lactamases (blaCTX-M1, blaCTX-M2, blaCTX-M9, blaCTX-M15) have been searched in the genome of enterobacteriaceae strains. At the level of staphylococci, the gene coding for methicillin resistance (mecA) was sought.Results: At the end of this study, 69 strains of enterobacteria and 60 of staphylococci were identified. A predominance of Staphylococcus aureus (25.6%) followed by Enterobacter cloacae (21.0%) and coagulase negative staphylococci (21.0%) was noted. These bacterial strains showed to be multidrug-resistant, particularly to beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides and macrolides. Beta-lactamases were identified in the genome of bacterial strains with a predominance of blaCTX-M15 (42.8%). The frequency of the mecA gene in staphylococci was 50%.Conclusions: These results show the magnitude of the antimicrobial resistance situation in hospitals. They can be used to support advocacy for urgent action at the national level, especially with regard to the management and efficient use of antimicrobials in Benin.

The main objective of this study is to investigate the patterns of genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships within populations of Detarium microcarpum (Fabaceae) relative to different spatial conditions. Seventy-eight (78) accessions of D. microcarpum belonging to six populations (Phytogeographic districts) were sampled. In order to have very good quality DNA for molecular analysis, an optimization of the DNA isolation protocol was made. The molecular analysis of the accessions was carried out using 7 chloroplast microsatellite markers. The polymorphism rate (P) is 85.71% and the Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) was in the range of 0.43 (Ntcp_9) to 0.73 (Ccmp_2) with an average of 0.59. Allelic richness (A) ranged from 1.41 to 2.85 with an average of 2.04. The observed heterozygosity (Ho) ranged from 0.23 to 0.60 with an average of 0.39. The expected heterozygosity (He) ranged from 0.43 to 0.60 with a mean of 0.50. Wright's fixation index (FIS) ranged from -0.17 to 0.47. The effective allele (Ae) is between 1.77 and 2.53 with an average of 2.02. Wright differentiation index (FST) was 0.024. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the NST value was significantly higher than the GST value (NST = 0.452; GST = 0.190; p <0.05). A relatively low hd haplotype diversity is obtained (Hd = 0.320). AMOVA analysis showed that 17.35% of the variation existed within populations but 45.80% among populations within the species. Neighbor-Joining phylogenetic tree of D. microcarpum revealed three non-distinct clusters haplotypes showing the existence of gene flow between populations of the species. Our findings of genetic structure and gene flow of D. microcarpum populations based on different spatial conditions is caused by evolutionary forces such as scattering and pollination.

Antimicrobial resistance is a real public health problem. All over the world, it has a considerable impact in hospitals. The present study was conducted to ascertain the bacterial ecology in two hospitals in Benin as well as the resistance genes present in the recovered isolates. A total of 146 environmental and catheter samples were collected at the University Hospital Center of Abomey-Calavi / So-Ava and at the Beninese Army Hospital of Cotonou. These samples were inoculated on Mannitol Salt and Eosin Methylene Blue agars. The colonies obtained were identified and their sensitivity to antibiotics were tested, using the Kirby Bauer technique. Four resistance genes encoding the production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (blaCTX-M1, blaCTX-M2, blaCTX-M9, blaCTX-M15) and the gene coding for methicillin resistance (mecA) were screened.  The gene coding for methicillin resistance (mecA) was sought in staphylococci. A total of 69 (53,49%) and 60 (46,51%) strains belonging to Enterobacteriaceae family and staphylococci were identified, respectively. A predominance of Staphylococcus aureus (25.6%) followed by Enterobacter cloacae (21.0%) and coagulase negative staphylococci (21.0%) was observed. These bacterial strains showed multidrug-resistance, particularly to beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides, and macrolides. Beta-lactamases were identified in the genome of bacterial strains with a predominance of blaCTX-M15 (42.8%). The frequency of the mecA gene in staphylococci was 50%. These results show the magnitude of the antimicrobial resistance situation in the hospitals investigated. They can be used to support advocacy for urgent action at the national level, especially with regards to the management and efficient use of antimicrobials in Benin.

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