Abstract
Aims: To document production constraints, uses, and farmers' selection criteria for the African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa) in some Yoruba localities of Benin Republic, identify production areas, prioritize constraints, evaluate genetic diversity, determine varietal selection criteria, and gather endogenous knowledge on cultivation practices, use, conservation, and seeds. Study Design: Participatory ethnobotanical survey involving group investigations and individual surveys. Place and Duration of Study: Ten villages in the Yoruba cultural zone of southern Benin (Plateau and Collines departments). Methodology: Surveys were conducted using participatory methodologies, including group discussions with comparison matrix for constraints and preferences, and structured questionnaires for individual data (n=21 households). The percentages of constraints and preference criteria were calculated based on the number of villages mentioning these elements relative to the total number of villages surveyed. The percentages of producers’ response have been also calculated. Results: Eleven local varieties identified, differentiated by seed color (41.7%), cooking time (25.0%), and ritual/symbolic functions (20.8%). Varieties per village: 2-7. Main constraints: pod rot (17.24%), lack of trees for intercropping (17.24%), market outlets (12.06%). Diversity loss: high erosion (up to 100% in some villages). Uses: domestic consumption (100%), rituals (50%). Preference: seed availability (61.9%). Production decline: 81% of producers. Solutions: upright varieties (42.9%), improved practices (37.1%). Conclusion: Local knowledge is crucial for AYB conservation despite erosion; revitalization needs farmer-led selection, adapted varieties, and institutional support. Biochemical/molecular characterization recommended for true diversity assessment.
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Claims 17
Claim · model-written summary
Eleven local varieties were identified.
- Taxon
- Sphenostylis stenocarpa
Sphenostylis stenocarpat0 - Outcome
- local varieties identifiede0
- Value
- Elevene0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Eleven local varieties identified”
t0“African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa”
Claim · model-written summary
Seed color differentiated 41.7% of varieties.
- Taxon
- Sphenostylis stenocarpaSphenostylis stenocarpat0
- Outcome
- seed colore0
- Value
- 41.7%e0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“differentiated by seed color (41.7%)”
t0“African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa”
Claim · model-written summary
Cooking time differentiated 25.0% of varieties.
- Taxon
- Sphenostylis stenocarpaSphenostylis stenocarpat0
- Outcome
- cooking timee0
- Value
- 25.0%e0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“cooking time (25.0%)”
t0“African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa”
Claim · model-written summary
Ritual or symbolic functions differentiated 20.8% of varieties.
- Taxon
- Sphenostylis stenocarpaSphenostylis stenocarpat0
- Outcome
- ritual/symbolic functionse0
- Value
- 20.8%e0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“ritual/symbolic functions (20.8%)”
t0“African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa”
Claim · model-written summary
Villages had 2-7 varieties.
- Taxon
- Sphenostylis stenocarpaSphenostylis stenocarpat0
- Outcome
- Varieties per villagee0
- Value
- 2-7e0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Varieties per village: 2-7.”
t0“African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa”
Claim · model-written summary
Pod rot was a production constraint reported at 17.24%.
- Taxon
- Sphenostylis stenocarpaSphenostylis stenocarpat0
- Outcome
- pod rote0
- Value
- 17.24%e0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“pod rot (17.24%)”
t0“African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa”
Claim · model-written summary
Lack of trees for intercropping was a production constraint reported at 17.24%.
- Taxon
- Sphenostylis stenocarpaSphenostylis stenocarpat0
- Outcome
- lack of trees for intercroppinge0
- Value
- 17.24%e0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“lack of trees for intercropping (17.24%)”
t0“African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa”
Claim · model-written summary
Market outlets were a constraint reported at 12.06%.
- Taxon
- Sphenostylis stenocarpaSphenostylis stenocarpat0
- Outcome
- market outletse0
- Value
- 12.06%e0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“market outlets (12.06%)”
t0“African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa”
Claim · model-written summary
Local variety erosion reached up to 100% in some villages.
- Taxon
- Sphenostylis stenocarpaSphenostylis stenocarpat0
- Outcome
- high erosione0
- Value
- up to 100%e0
- Qualifier
- in some villagese0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Diversity loss: high erosion (up to 100% in some villages).”
t0“African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa”
Claim · model-written summary
Domestic consumption was reported at 100%.
- Taxon
- Sphenostylis stenocarpaSphenostylis stenocarpat0
- Outcome
- domestic consumptione0
- Value
- 100%e0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“domestic consumption (100%)”
t0“African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa”
Claim · model-written summary
Ritual use was reported at 50%.
- Taxon
- Sphenostylis stenocarpaSphenostylis stenocarpat0
- Outcome
- ritualse0
- Value
- 50%e0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“rituals (50%)”
t0“African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa”
Claim · model-written summary
Seed availability was a preference criterion at 61.9%.
- Taxon
- Sphenostylis stenocarpaSphenostylis stenocarpat0
- Outcome
- seed availabilitye0
- Value
- 61.9%e0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Preference: seed availability (61.9%).”
t0“African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa”
Claim · model-written summary
Production decline was reported by 81% of producers.
- Taxon
- Sphenostylis stenocarpaSphenostylis stenocarpat0
- Outcome
- Production declinee0
- Value
- 81%e0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Production decline: 81% of producers.”
t0“African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa”
Claim · model-written summary
Upright varieties were proposed as a solution by 42.9%.
- Taxon
- Sphenostylis stenocarpaSphenostylis stenocarpat0
- Outcome
- upright varietiese0
- Value
- 42.9%e0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Solutions: upright varieties (42.9%)”
t0“African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa”
Claim · model-written summary
Improved practices were proposed as a solution by 37.1%.
- Taxon
- Sphenostylis stenocarpaSphenostylis stenocarpat0
- Outcome
- improved practicese0
- Value
- 37.1%e0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“improved practices (37.1%)”
t0“African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors recommend farmer-led selection, adapted varieties and institutional support for revitalization.
- Taxon
- Sphenostylis stenocarpaSphenostylis stenocarpat0
- Outcome
- farmer-led selection, adapted varieties, and institutional supporte0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“revitalization needs farmer-led selection, adapted varieties, and institutional support.”
t0“African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa”
Claim · model-written summary
The authors recommend biochemical and molecular characterization to assess true diversity.
- Taxon
- Sphenostylis stenocarpaSphenostylis stenocarpat0
- Outcome
- Biochemical/molecular characterization recommended for true diversity assessmente0
Organisms pictured · Representative pictures of the matched species, not figures from the paper.
Verbatim
e0“Biochemical/molecular characterization recommended for true diversity assessment.”
t0“African Yam Bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa”