Yield is an agronomic trait of major interest in the breeding for cash crops such as cashew. Despite its worldwide growing interest, the genetic architecture and molecular mechanisms associated with cashew nut yield are poorly understood. This study was aimed at the identification of quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) and candidate genes associated with yield components through a genome-wide association study (GWAS). Data from six yield components were collected on 232 potentially high-yielding cashew trees during two consecutive harvest seasons. Using the genotyping-by-sequencing method, 3620 cleaned SNPs were identified across the cashew genome. All these data were used in GWAS using the mrMLM-GWAS algorithm in R software. A total of 95 QTNs significantly associated with tree nut yield were identified but at the set threshold, the other five traits were not significantly associated with any SNPs. These QTNs were found colocated with candidate genes located within 10 kilobase (kb) and resulted in the detection of 97 putative genes. The analysis of the functions of these genes highlighted nine (Anaoc.0005s0124.1, Anaoc.0016s0111.1, Anaoc.0011s1462.1, Anaoc.0010s1145.1, Anaoc.0010s1144.1, Anaoc.0010s0529.1, Anaoc.0007s1304.1, Anaoc.0016s0113.1, Anaoc.0006s0105.1) likely playing a significant influence on yield. The extent to which these genes could contribute to yield is discussed and their in-depth study could offer new molecular marker tools for varietal selection in cashew.
Mango is an important tropical fruit, rich in essential micronutrients. In Côte d’Ivoire, the harvested fruit is either exported to international and regional markets, processed, or remains on the local market. Nutritional flows across value chains and their resulting nutritional impact are poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to estimate the past, present, and future nutritional impact of the mango value chain in Côte d’Ivoire. We adapted the NUTRI-P-LOSS methodology that predicts nutritional postharvest losses across crop value chains, to assess nutritional flows in the mango value chain. Mango production quantities were estimated, and fruits at harvest, during ripening, and after drying, were analysed for macro- and micronutrients. Findings indicate that mango domestic nutritional contribution is likely to increase in the future, helping address vitamin A and C deficiencies and anaemia related-issues that remain prevalent, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children under five, pregnant teenagers and women (i.e. meeting requirements for vitamin C, from approximatively 60,000 people in 2000, to 1 million people in 2050). Whilst vitamin A is concentrated in dried mango, vitamin C—the fresh fruit’s primary micronutrient—is lost in drying. Therefore, increased domestic consumption of dried mango would increase vitamin A from mango but not improve the overall nutritional impact of mango on the local population (vitamins A and C, iron). Our work leads to the development of a user-friendly tool that predicts the past, present, and future nutritional impact of crop production with mango in Côte d’Ivoire as an example.
Agriculture is a vital sector for food security and poverty reduction in developing countries; however, this sector is vulnerable to the effects of climate change and environmental degradation. The aim of this article is to examine the effect of environmental degradation on agricultural production in the countries of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) from 1990 to, 2023. To this end, the panel ARDL (Autoregressive Distributed Lag) model, using the PMG estimator, was employed. The long-run results show that biocapacity has a positive and significant effect on overall agricultural production, as well as on cereal, vegetable and fruit production. This highlights the importance of natural capital in the agricultural production process. Conversely, certain environmental pressures linked to forest land use and agricultural nitrous oxide emissions negatively affect the sustainability of agricultural production. Furthermore, internet use has a positive influence on agricultural production, demonstrating that the internet is a key factor in improving agricultural output. However, the financial system does not yet support the agricultural sector.These results suggest that decision-makers in the WAEMU should strengthen policies for the sustainable management of natural resources, promote the adoption of digital technologies, particularly in rural areas, and improve access to agricultural finance in order to ensure food security.
The decline in crop yields linked to soil vulnerability by water erosion is an obstacle to food security in the North of Côte d'Ivoire. Therefore, the objective of this study is to characterize the level of soil vulnerability, based on remote sensing and GIS in the Sub-Prefecture of Tioroniaradougou, in the North of Côte d'Ivoire. A qualitative methodological approach made it possible to determine the explanatory parameters of soil vulnerability. This approach was based on the establishment of single-factor maps from remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), integrating multi-source data such as soil erodibility, altitude, slope, and land use. The establishment of single-factor maps made it possible to obtain a multi-factor vulnerability map, thus making it possible to characterize the explanatory factors of soil degradation. The results reveal that the Tioroniaradougou Sub-Prefecture is influenced by three (3) vulnerability zones: low vulnerability zones (19.89
Les migrations sahéliennes en Côte d’Ivoire s’inscrivent, depuis les années 1960, dans des circulations anciennes réactivées par le développement agricole. Les migrants burkinabés, maliens et nigériens s’appuient sur des réseaux de solidarité familiaux, communautaires et associatifs pour s’installer sous le prisme de la théorie du capital social. Cette contribution cherche à comprendre le lien qui existe entre le réseau de solidarité, l’intégration et la mutation socio-identitaire. Pour ce faire, cette étude se focalise sur une méthodologie qualitative. Elle mobilise les techniques et outils qui sont liés à cette approche. Les résultats de l’étude montrent que les réseaux de solidarité mis en place facilitent l’accès au logement, à l’emploi et aux convivialités. La migration est une solution aux défis sociaux et économiques. Elle contribue à redéfinir les appartenances.
