Genetic relationships among 18 regenerated tall coconut accessions from International Coconut Genebank for Africa and Indian Ocean (ICG-AIO) located at Côte d'Ivoire were studied. Analyses were achieved from 17 quantitative characters of the reliable minimal list of agro-morphological descriptors for coconut proposed by Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGENT) in 2007. From achieved Multivariate Analyses (MVA) two geographical clusters including Afro-Indian and Far East were observed in the first generation of regenerated tall coconut accessions. In addition regenerated tall coconut accessions whose parents come from South Pacific geographical area were the more varied. This typology is similar to the one of the initial introductions previously established. Thus, creation of improved hybrids from heterosis effect searching a long time exploited in tall coconut accessions can always be pursued with regenerated accessions in Côte d'Ivoire coconut program.

Aims: The present study aims to evaluate the effect of some abiotic factors on the quality of seed germination of shea tree, a plant of great economic interest for the rural populations in Northern Côte d'Ivoire. Study Design: The trials were conducted in a nursery where two factors were considered. These were the substrate, with six modalities and shelter with two modalities. Six small pits, each of size 60 x 60 cm, surface 3600 cm2 and 15 cm of depth were dug and then filled with different substrates. Place and Duration of Study: The work was carried out in 2018 in the district of Korhogo in Northern Côte d'Ivoire. Methodology: Each treatment received 36 seeds of shea tree giving a total of 216 seeds per test. The seeds used were all dark brown, ellipsoid in shape with masses ranging from 10 to 11 g. The experiment was carried out with a total of 12 treatments, six under a greenhouse hermetically covered with transparent polyethylene plastic and six under a shade made up of a rack covered with maximum Panicum leaves.  Results: The first germination was observed at the level of the organic manure treatment at 6 months of degradation installed under the greenhouse (ManB_G = 28 days). The lowest final germination rate was obtained with the organic fertilization at 3 months of degradation installed under the shade (FGP ManA_S = 2.95%) while the highest was observed in the sawdust installed under the greenhouse (FGP S_G = 64.18%). Conclusion: It is concluded that for each substrate, soil or biowaste, the seeds of shea tree have a better ability to germinate under a greenhouse than under a shelter covered with straw.

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Vitellaria paradoxa, commonly known as the shea tree, is a tree of the family Sapotaceae and represents a traditional African food plant. It has been claimed to have the potential to improve nutrition, boost food supply, foster rural development, and support sustainable land care. Despite its multiple potentials, statistical data relating to its production are non-existent and/or unexploited in several African communities. To contrast this tendency, the present study aims to assess the intra-seasonal variation in fruit production of a sample of 115 shea trees and then to establish a correlation between yield parameters and several dendrometric features. Dendrometric (i.e. tree height, trunk girth, and crown basal area) and pomological (i.e. fruit and nut length and width) parameters, as well as yield parameters by monitoring daily fallen fruit from each sampled shea tree, carried out for five years consecutively, were considered for this study. The results showed inter-year fluctuation of shea fruit/nut number and shea fruit/nut weight. In addition, the results showed a significant increase in the annual average of shea fruit/nut yield per tree and as well per girth and/or crown basal area interval class, randomly generated by Sturge and Yule's formula. Interestingly, potentially high producing trees emerged within each considered interval class. Then, observed intraclass variation between trees determining shea yield can be exploited in selecting elite shea trees.

Aims: Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA) flow in research and development area inside and outside many countries are not indexed or listed and are insufficiently documented. In Côte d’Ivoire, when implementing the Multilateral System (MLS) project, a survey was realized with different actors as well at national as international levels to collect data dealing with exchanges flow characteristics of main food crops as yam, cassava, rice and plantain. The objectives of the current study are i) to know about internal and external exchange flow of genetic resources of yam, cassava, rice and plantain in Côte d’Ivoire, ii) to assess Côte d’Ivoire dependence regarding external PGRFA, iii) to indentify international research agreements or research network facilitating Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) in Côte d’Ivoire and iv) to determine constraints or opportunities related to access to external PGR in the future. Study Design: A questionnaire was submitted to actors managing main consumed food crops in Côte d’Ivoire such as yam, cassava, rice and plantain. Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted in 2019 and sampled data on period starting from 2005 to 2014 about the flow of genetic resources of yam, cassava, rice and plantain inside and outside Côte d’Ivoire located in Western Africa were studied. Methodology: This comprised the collection of data using a questionnaire related to characteristics of PGRFA flow inside and outside Côte d’Ivoire, within institutions in charge of PGRFA. A survey was conducted with national and international actors involved in yam, cassava, rice and plantain genetic resources. Moreover, surveys on PGRFA flow data were supplemented by reports from research programs dedicated to these food crops. Results: Results revealed that genetic resources of yam, cassava, rice and plantain are exchanged at variable levels within different actors. Contrary to plantain, a growth of vegetal material exchange within actors was observed at national level in yam, cassava and rice. PGRFA exchange flow at international level are positively unbalanced in favor of importation from Groupe Consultatif pour la Recherche Agricole Internationale (CGIAR) creating by this way a relatively marked dependence excepted to yam where ongoing varietal breeding relies on local genetic resources. Very few or no data was given back to national research and development institutions and farmers from Côte d’Ivoire on national PGRFA sent outside for breeding purposes. In the same line, neither any law nor regulations were set up at national level to ensure traceability of plant material exchanges according to international agreements and conventions. Conclusion: The consequence of this inventory of fixtures about systems of genetic resources exchange and evolution in Côte d’Ivoire is the lack of regulatory mechanisms allowing populations owning traditional knowledge take profit of an access and a fair sharing of advantages arising from the use of PGRFA as yam, cassava, rice and plantain.

Le manque de méthodes standardisées pour la pépinière d’oignon a suscité la présente étude. Elle a pour objectif d’évaluer deux pratiques culturales de pépinière d’oignon à travers les caractéristiques végétatives des plantules. À cet effet cinq variétés (Bati, Damani, Cara, Karibou et Safari) et deux milieux de conduite de pépinière : terre et alvéole ont été mis en comparaison sur le site expérimental de l’Université Peleforo GON COULIBALY de Korhogo de janvier à février 2020. Sur terre, trois doses de semis (3, 4 et 5 g/m2) et dans les alvéoles trois graines par poquet ont été expérimentées. Les données morphologiques ont été collectées 40 jours après semis. Le logiciel SPSS 22.0 a été utilisé pour le traitement statistique des données collectées. Une analyse de variance incorporant la comparaison des moyennes selon Newman et Keuls au seuil de 5% a été réalisée pour comparer les caractéristiques morphologiques des différentes variétés entre elles. Il ressort de cette étude que les plantules élevées dans les alvéoles ont eu en moyenne les tailles les plus élevées (17,32 cm). Sur terre, les tailles ont varié de 14,77 cm (dose de 05 g/m2) à 16,09 cm (dose 03 et 04 g/m2). Les doses de semis 03 et 04 g/m2 ont enregistré les plantules les plus robustes relativement au nombre de feuilles (03), les poids frais (0,35 g) et sec (0,035 g) et le taux de matière sèche (10%). Les variétés Damani, Karibou et Safari ont eu les meilleures performances relativement aux caractéristiques morphologiques. La robustesse de la plantule est corrélée positivement à sa taille et au nombre de feuilles. Au vu des résultats, la pépinière d’oignon peut être conduite dans les alvéoles ou sur terre à la dose 04 g/m2. La sélection des plantules en pépinière peut se faire en se basant uniquement sur la taille de la plantule et le nombre de feuilles. The lack of standardized methods for the onion nursery prompted this study. Its objective was to evaluate two cultivation practices of the onion nursery through the vegetative characteristics of the seedlings. For this purpose, five varieties (Bati, Damani, Cara, Karibou and Safari) and two nursery management: soil and well plate, were compared on the experimental site of Peleforo GON COULIBALY University in Korhogo from January to February 2020. On soil, three doses of seeding (3, 4 and 5 g/m2) and, in the plate, 3 seeds/holes were tested. Morphological data were collected 40 days after sowing. In this sample, SPSS 22.0 software was used for statistical data processing. An analysis of variance incorporating the comparison of means according to Newman and Keuls at the 5% threshold was used to compare the morphological characteristics of the different varieties. It appears from this study that the seedlings reared in the well plate were averagely the highest with 17.32 cm. On soil, the heights varied from 14.77 cm (dose 05 g/m2) to 16.09 cm (dose 03 and 04 g/m2). Seeding doses of 03 and 04 g/m2 recorded the most robust seedlings in relation to the number of leaves (03), fresh (0.35 g) and dry (0.035 g) weights and dry matter rate of 10%. The Damani, Karibou and Safari varieties had the best performances concerning morphological characteristics. The robustness of the seedling is positively related to its size and the number of leaves. Besides well pate, a seeding rate of 04 g/m2 can be recommended for the management of the nursery on soil. The selection of seedlings in the nursery can be done based only on the size of the seedling and the number of leaves.

Objectifs : L’étude a été conduite pour évaluer la ressemblance agromorphologique des descendances hybrides F1 NJM x GVT à celles de leurs géniteurs en Côte d’Ivoire en vue de prédire les caractéristiques des descendants et adopter des techniques culturales et utilisations appropriées. Méthodologie et résultats : Trente variables ont été mesurées sur 18 descendances et leurs géniteurs mâles GVT et femelle NJM. Il ressort que les caractéristiques végétatives des descendances NJM x GVT sont relativement proches de leurs géniteurs mâles GVT. Les héritabilités varient de 10 % à 40 % pour l’ensemble des descripteurs. Elle est plus élevée pour C20, LGF, ILE, ILPRF et Déq avec une valeur de 40 % qui ont plus contribué au rapprochement des descendances de leur géniteur mâle. Des gains agromorphologiques par rapport aux deux géniteurs sont observés pour la plupart des caractères. Les taux varient en moyenne de 0,73 % à 84,26 % selon le caractère et le géniteur. Conclusion et applications des résultats : Ces résultats serviront de guide aux sélectionneurs quant aux résultats attendus d’une descendance F1 de cocotier Grand croisé par cocotier Nain. Ces hybrides peuvent être cultivés et utilisés de la même manière que leur géniteur mâle. Mots clés : Cocotier, caractéristique agromorphologique, hybride NJM x GVT, héritabilité, gain. Assessment of agromorphological similarities between parents and F1 progenies in the crossing of Dwarf Malayan x Vanuatu Tall coconuts in Côte d’Ivoire ABSTRACT Objectives: The study was conducted to assess the agromorphological resemblance of the F1 NJM x GVT hybrid progenies to those of their parents in Côte d'Ivoire in order to predict the characteristics of the descendants and adopt appropriate cultivation techniques and uses. Methodology and results: Thirty variables were measured on 18 descendants and their male parents GVT and female NJM. It appears that the vegetative characteristics of the NJM x GVT descendants are relatively close to their male GVT sires. Heritability ranges from 10% to 40% for all descriptors. It is higher for C20, LGF, ILE, ILPRF and Déq with a value of 40% that contributed more to the approximation of the descendants of their male parent. Agromorphological gains compared to the two spawners are observed for most characters. The rates vary on average from 0.73% to 84.26% depending on the trait and the sire. Conclusion and application of the results: These results will serve as a guide for breeders as to the expected results of an F1 offspring of large coconut palm crossed by Dwarf coconut tree. These hybrids can be grown and used in the same way as their male parent. Key words: Coconut palm, agromorphological characteristic, NJM x GVT hybrid, heritability, gain.

This study was conducted to assess carbon sequestration potential of shea trees in four shea parks in Northern Côte d'Ivoire to fight against climate change. The methodology used consisted in the delimitation of 2 ha of plot in shea parkland located in Ferkéssédougou, Ouangolodougou, Boundiali and Tengrela. On each plot delimited within these parklands, forests inventories were carried out and stem diameter at 1.30 m aboveground (DBH ≥ 5 cm) of the shea trees were measured. The dendrometric data collected made it possible to elaborate the structure of the shea trees in parkland, to estimate the biomass and the stocks of sequestered carbon. The results showed that shea populations, irrespective of the study site, showed a "reversed J" diameter distribution with decreasing individuals. The spatial distribution of the population of shea trees in Boundiali and Ferkéssédougou parklands is regular while it is aggregative in Ouangolodougou and Tengrela parklands. The spatial distribution of shea trees depends on the type of soils. Of all the sites that are mostly bushy savannas, sequestered CO 2 equivalents are high: 70.83 t.ha-1 at Boundiali, 49.47 t.ha-1 at Ferkéssédougou, 215 t.ha-1 at Ouangolodougou and 130 t.ha-1 at Tengrela. This study shows that agroforestry is to be promoted in Northern Côte d'Ivoire through the protection of shea tree parklands that limit greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere, especially in Northern Côte d'Ivoire. This will certainly facilitate Côte d'Ivoire's access to the carbon market.