Yam (Dioscorea spp.) encompasses diverse species, including several staple food crops, of which a few were domesticated on the African continent. This study assessed yam genetic diversity in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to inform breeding and conservation initiatives. A diverse collection of 1,247 yam accessions representing six species (D. rotundata, D. alata, D. praehensilis, D. bulbifera, D. cayenensis, and D. dumetorum) sourced from six African countries (Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Nigeria, and Uganda) was used in this study. Genetic diversity was assessed using 7,648 single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, selected from previously sequenced datasets between the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems (NARES) collaboration. Findings showed a substantial inter- and intra-specific variation in African yam germplasm, with observed heterozygosity ranging from 0.165 to 0.464 and an average polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.324 across populations. Population structure was assessed using ADMIXTURE (with cross-validation error for optimal K), DAPC (with BIC for K), and an IBS-based Neighbor-Joining (NJ) tree. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated moderate differentiation among countries (FST = 0.07), and higher differentiation among species (average FST = 0.14). Clustering patterns and phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of evolutionary relationships among D. cayenensis, D. praehensilis, and D. rotundata, providing insights into D. rotundata domestication history in West Africa. These findings enhance our understanding of genetic relationships within the Dioscorea genus.

Yam is an important food crop in maintaining food and nutrition security in Benin. For this reason, the late Kokoro yams remain less documented in terms of their specific diversity, their geographical distribution and their evolutionary trajectories. The study assessed the diversity, uses and evolutionary dynamics of late Kokoro yams in the main production areas of Benin. It was conducted in 43 villages in the departments of Borgou, Atacora, Donga and Collines. Data were collected through individual interviews and group discussions and included 376 respondents. A total of 166 cultivars were recorded, including 71 in Donga, 59 in Borgou, 21 in Atacora and 15 in Collines. The average Shannon diversity index was 3.4 bits, with a maximum value in the Borgou (3.8 bits). Kokoro made up 37.62% of the yams produced and more than 80% of the crops were intended for self-consumption, especially during the lean season. Seeds were mainly from intra-Community trade and inheritance. Between 2012 and 2025, 61% of cultivars disappeared, with Borgou being the most affected with 72.32% of losses. This erosion is mainly due to sensitivity to poor soils, unavailability of seeds, low yield, diseases, pests and poor culinary or technological quality. Sixty-six elite cultivars were identified according to agronomic, technological and culinary criteria. Their classification revealed groups combining productivity, post-harvest conservation, drought tolerance and poor soil suitability. These results highlight the urgent need for integrated conservation, characterization and participatory improvement strategies to sustainably preserve this national plant genetic diversity.

Yam (Dioscorea rotundata) genotypes respond differently to multiple environments. Selecting the stable ones without compromising key traits is pivotal in breeding programmes. The present study evaluated a panel of 40 advanced yam genotypes (5 landraces and 35 improved varieties) from different sources for yield performance and stability as well as desirable food properties. Field trials were established following a randomized complete block design at four locations over three years in Benin. Data were collected on fresh tuber weight, dry matter and sensory attributes such as the quality of boiled and pounded yams. The overall mean yield per plant varied from 2.32 to 4.42 kg with OP1832 and Katala having the lowest and highest mean productivity, respectively. Highly significant (P < 0.001) variations among genotype (G), environment (E) and GxE were noted for yield. The additive main and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) stability value identified Kpouna as the most stable genotype while OP1811 exhibited the greatest instability. A genotype selection Index (GSI) which merged both stability and yield ranked Kpouna, OP20 and OP78 as the top three yam genotypes. Genotypes combining both high yield and good food quality attributes were identified through the multi-trait genotype ideotype distance index which enabled the selection of the top six genotypes as per experimental site. Depending on the location, superior yam genotypes to be considered for release to farmers are kpouna, Katala, TDr1430007, Taatimanin, TDr8902665, OP2055, OP1416, OP416, OP255, and Amoula. This study underscores the value of both landraces and newly improved white Guinea yam varieties in improving key traits in breeding programs to better meet the needs of farmers, processors, and consumers.

The African giant cricket (Brachytrupes membranaceus) is the most consumed species of cricket in Benin. Primarily collected in the wild during the rainy season, B. membranaceus is a seasonal source of animal protein for the population, whose availability and accessibility remain major challenges. This study aimed to determine the growth performance, survival rate, and feed preference of B. membranaceus fed with two different traditional diets. The diet was made up of cassava peelings, cassava stems, cowpea leaves, peanut shells, palm kernel cake, smoked fish waste, and eggshells. The measured parameters were growth, survival, and dietary data. The different diets induced significant variation (p<0.001) in the growth, mortality rate, and yield of the African giant cricket nymphs. The consumption of palm kernel cake, cassava stalks, fish waste, and cowpea leaves by B. membranaceus positively influenced (p<0.001) the crickets’ weight and size gain. A significant reduction in the mortality rate (p<0.001) of African giant crickets was observed with the combination of foods such as cassava peel, cassava stem, fish waste, cowpea leaves, eggshells, and palm kernel cake in their diets. Cassava stems, palm kernel cake, red cowpea leaves, and fish waste could be promoted for the mass rearing of B. membranaceus in Benin.

House cricket (Acheta domesticus L) is an alternative source of essential micronutrients and proteins that could help to solve food security issues in the Republic of Benin. However, its consumption is limited by accessibility constraints and the lack of a cost-efficient and sustainable rear system that guarantees its health safety. The aim of this study was to determine growth performance and the survival rate and feed preference of A. domesticus fed with four different traditional diets. The diet was made up of sweet potato tubers, corn cake, soybean cake, cashew leaves, red cowpea leaves, and Commelina spp leaves. The measured parameters were relative to growth, survival, and dietary data. The weight, the relative growth rates, the yield, the feed conversion rate, the percentage of mortality and the number of eggs produced per female have varied significantly (P < 0.05) depending on diets.,. The consumption of cowpea leaves was positively and significantly (p < 0.001) correlated with all parameters measured on crickets except e the mortality rate which showed a negative correlation. The quantity of cashew leaves eaten by crickets and the number of eggs laid in some treatments were found to be positively correlated (p < 0.001). The consumption of soybean cake by house crickets was negatively correlated with with most parameters except for the mortality rate which showed a positive correlation for some treatments. The cowpea and cashew leaves should be promoted for the rearing of A. domesticus.

In tomato production, yield reduction is often caused by both abiotic and biotic stresses, particularly the threat of herbivorous insects. However, tomato trichomes and secondary metabolites play a crucial role in the resistance of tomatoes against external threats. This study aimed to assess the effect of agricultural practices on the development of trichomes and their importance in the defense of tomato plants against insect herbivores, specifically the pest Zonocerus variegatus. A survey was conducted in two major tomato production areas in Southern Benin, presenting different agricultural practices that could influence the development of trichomes. Samples from 200 tomato plants were collected from various tomato fields and trichomes on leaf and stem samples were counted using an optical microscope. Additionally, to understand the responses of specific tomato varieties to attacks by insect herbivores, experiments were conducted on the varieties Akikon, Tounvi, and Thorgal cultivated in pots and then subjected to biotic stress by Z. variegatus, with both control and experimental batches. Three weeks later, leaf and stem samples were taken and the trichomes were observed and also counted. Subsequently, phytochemical screenings and quantification of secondary metabolites were performed on the experimental and control plants. Structural Equation Models analysis revealed a significant positive effect of cropping systems and fertilization methods on trichome density, but a significant negative effect of soil type and biopesticide use. The experiment results showed an increase in trichome density in response to pest attacks. Phytochemical screenings revealed considerable production of polyphenols and flavonoids in all three varieties. The rate of insect damage was highest in the Tounvi tomato variety, followed by the Akikon variety and finally the Thorgal variety which released more flavonoids and polyphenols. These findings underscore the vital function of trichomes in protecting tomato plants against herbivore insects. This study provides a theoretical and practical basis for advancing and integrating the roles of trichomes in controlling insect herbivores and improve tomato production.

BACKGROUND:This study assessed the starch content of ten yam varieties commonly consumed in West Africa to clarify their structural, thermal, physicochemical, and rheological properties and to support their potential food and industrial applications. RESULTS:The yam starches differed significantly in functional, thermal, and rheological properties. The different samples were given different codes. The sample coded KNE-C exhibited the highest amylose content at 42.7%. The starch granules were round and elliptical, with sizes ranging from 14.8 μm (sample SD3-G) to 24.1 μm (sample BET-C). X-ray diffraction analysis indicated peaks at 5.7°, 15°, 17°, and 23° 2θ, which correspond to a type C crystallinity pattern. The starch relative crystallinity was significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) in sample OBI-N (32.49%) than sample KPO-C (40.76%). Gelatinization varied significantly (P ≤ 0.05) among the yam starch varieties, with a temperature range (ΔT) of 14.9 to 19.4 °C. A rapid visco analyzer (RVA) was used to show that peak time ranged between 5.0-5.5 min, pasting temperature ranged between 77.6-84 °C, and viscosity ranged between 4.114 Pa.s and 5.820.5 Pa.scP. The starches displayed viscoelastic properties and solid-like behavior (G' > G″). Gel hardness varied from 5.74 N in sample KPO-C to 10.74 N in sample SD4-G. Principal component analysis showed that components PC1 and PC2 together accounted for 55% of the total variance, and PC3 increased the cumulative variance to 71%. CONCLUSIONS:The starches differed in microstructure, physicochemical, thermal, and rheological properties. This study provides a valuable basis for the selection of yam starch with specific properties suited for specific food applications in both food and non-food industries. © 2025 The Author(s). Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Termites are considered as important pests of maize plantations in Republic of Benin. However, very little information is available on their assemblage composition, abundance, damages, and on the sensitivity of common maize varieties in Benin. This study aims to fill these gaps and provide baseline for the development of an integrated termite management in maize plantations. Therefore, 60 maize fields across 30 villages located in four agro-ecological zones of southern Benin were prospected using the standardized method of belt transects. In addition, the resistance of five maize varieties to termite attacks was evaluated on-farm during two consecutive seasons (2018 and 2019). Fifteen termite species belonging to 11 genera, 6 subfamilies and 3 families were collected in the prospected maize fields. Four species (Macrotermes subhyalinus Rambur, Coptotermes sjostedti Holmgren, Amitermes evuncifer Silvestri, and Trinevitermes germinatus Wasmann) were found in all agro-ecological zones with A. evuncifer as the most abundant species. High similarity indices of termite assemblages were found between the four agro-ecological zones. Wood-feeders group and species nesting in hypogeal nests were the mostly abundant in all agro-ecological zones. The attack rate of termites in maize fields was 16.9% and did not vary significantly between agro-ecological zones. A. evuncifer and C. sjostedti were significantly the most destructive species on the five evaluated varieties, although Trinevitermes oeconomus Tragardh was most abundant in leaf sheaths; M. subhyalinus and Macrotermes bellicossus Smeathman in the stem; Pseudacanthotermes militaris Hagen and Odontotermes sp. in the roots. Termite damage level to maize depended of the variety. Korga variety was classified as highly resistant to termite attacks; Agbade kouin winiwini variety as resistant; Igbado tchakpa variety as moderately resistant. While, Elekpere and Forkui varieties were classified as highly susceptible. The three maize varieties identified as resistant to termite attack should be included in the development of an integrated termite management program and in future breeding programs.

Monitoring genetic gain is crucial to ensure breeding programs' effectiveness and identify potential challenges and areas for their improvement. Our study provides a first overview of the trends in genetic gain for tuber yield and disease resistance traits in the IITA's (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture) yam breeding program. We used historical data (2010-2022) from multiple generations of past breeding cycles evaluated at 31 sites in the white Guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata Poir) breeding pipeline and 28 sites in the water yam (Dioscorea alata L.) breeding pipeline of IITA and its national partners in West Africa. Our result shows positive genetic trends in fresh tuber yield while recording a gain of 1.38% or 99.17 kg ha-1 per year in the white Guinea yam and 2.18% or 252.41 kg ha-1 per year in the water yam breeding pipelines. Genetic trends for virus and anthracnose resistance were in the desired direction but negligible in white Guinea yam, while significant for virus and nonsignificant for anthracnose resistance in water yam. Our findings indicate that while the breeding program has succeeded in enhancing tuber yield, post-harvest tuber dry matter content and disease resistance (yam mosaic virus and anthracnose) did not follow a similar trend in the material being developed. This implies that the yam breeding program needs to strike a balance between various traits, ensuring that increased yield does not come at a cost to food quality or disease resistance. Our results highlight the importance of continually monitoring and assessing the performance of a breeding program and making informed decisions about which traits to focus on for future improvement. Periodic monitoring of genetic gain is crucial to making informed decisions about which traits to focus on. Yam breeding program needs to strike a balance between various traits for ensuring sustained genetic gain. High-quality historical trial data crucial for assessing genetic gain trends in breeding programs.

White yam (Dioscorea rotundata L.) is widely cultivated, and is a staple food in the Republic of Benin. However, its production is highly sensitive to soil infertility, leading to low yields over the years. In order to address the challenges of land reduction and climate change, it is crucial to introduce more adapted yam varieties to traditional Beninese agriculture. Water yam (Dioscorea alata L.) varieties are viable options, as they need less soil fertility and yield more than D. rotundata, but have a poor culinary performance. The aim of this study is to assess the agronomic and culinary performance of 15 improved water yam genotypes developed by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) compared to local cultivars. In 2022 and 2023, multilocal trials (4 sites) were performed in the yam-growing areas, and nine villages were selected for culinary evaluation. Linear mixed-effects models and generalized mixed-effects models showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in location, year of experimentation, and certain evaluated agronomic parameters. The improved varieties had a strong likelihood of producing small tubers that could be used as seeds. The agronomic and culinary performance of local water yam accessions has been superior to that of improved varieties. Due to its numerous medium tubers, TDa_1508044 could be introduced for production of yam chips. TDa_1510080, which showed a stable high yield throughout the trial sites, and TDa_1510119, which gave a great number of marketable large-size tubers, showed the best agronomic performance with a yield of more than 25 t/ha. TDa_1510043, TDa_0000194, and TDa_1515030 improved varieties that performed well in both culinary and agronomic ways could be widely adopted by farmers in the yam-growing areas of Benin.

Under the pressure exerted by humans on forest ecosystems, agroforestry is promoted to maintain a balance between forest and agricultural ecosystems. Agroforestry systems are the center of interactions between crops and other plants and between fauna and flora. Within this faunistic diversity, ants occupy a prominent place through their protective association with some tropical plant species as natural enemies of their arthropod pests. In this study, we analyzed the effects of the diversity of trees associated with cashew trees and of cashew tree density on ant abundance/diversity in cashew agroforestry systems. The study was conducted in 12 cashew orchards in central Benin. Data on the diversity and densities of ground-dwelling and arboreal ant species were collected using hand and bait traps. The diversity of trees in the orchards and cashew tree density were also determined. Twenty ant species were collected among which the most abundant were Pheidole spp., Lepisiota sp., Paratrechina longicornis, Camponotus sericeus, Brachyponera sennaarensis, Camponotus spp., and Oecophylla longinoda. Tree diversity and cashew tree density in those orchards had significantly positive effects on the ant densities but not on ant diversity. Structural equation modeling showed that the abundance of ants increased the diversity of ants, which decreased the herbivory index. Based on the important role of ants as biological pest control agents, it is worth promoting agroforestry systems in cashew orchards to increase ant abundance, thereby improving their productivity.

Background Edible insects are important sources of essential nutrients and have the potential to contribute to malnutrition reduction and food security in the Republic of Benin. However, their consumption is always restricted to a limited number of sociocultural groups. To determine how the consumption of insects could be promoted as an alternative food source, this study documents the endogenous knowledge associated with edible insects and, the main factors that govern their perception and frequency consumption. Methods A survey was conducted towards 479 rural households consuming edible insects through 91 villages of Atacora, Alibori, Zou, and Plateau departments using individual interviews with a semi-structured questionnaire. The survey was focused on the inventory of edible insects and the documentation of consumers’ acceptance, frequencies and motive reason of consumption, local uses, and accessibility to edible insects. Samples of edible insects were collected and preserved in 70% alcohol for taxonomic identification. Results The majority of surveyed people (79.1%) were consumers of edible insects since many years ago (29.1 ± 17.2 years). Insect species belonging to 17 genera of 7 families and 3 orders of insects were used as food, with Brachytrupes membranaceus Drury being the most widespread and consumed. Six factors affecting edible insect availability were identified with the chemical pollution as the most important. Besides their food use (63.2%), edible insects in the study area were used for several purposes. We find that ethnicity, religion, age, education level, and monthly frequency of insect consumption are the main factors influencing the local perception of edible insects. Indeed ethnic group, religion ethnicity, and market accessibility have a positive influence on edible insect consumption frequency. The Hierarchical Clustering of Principal Components has allowed us to classify the interviewees into 3 groups with different perceptions of entomophagy and their characteristics will make it possible to better orient the strategies for promoting entomophagy in the Republic of Benin. Conclusions Religion and tradition are among the main factors that influence entomophagy in Benin Republic. The development of a national strategy to promote entomophagy should take into account the recorded insect consumption motivations, and their different uses by each ethnic group, and mainly target young people.

In Benin, the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is the most important polyphagous noctuid pest. This study aimed to assess the impact of agricultural practices on the abundance of this pest and determine whether its feeding preference and larval development differ among four cereal types. First, we conducted a descriptive survey of 80 farmers randomly selected for farm visits and oral interviews using a structured questionnaire to ascertain their preferred agricultural practices for managing S. frugiperda. Secondly, rearing methods in the laboratory were used to assess the development of the S. frugiperda maize strain feeding on maize, millet, rice, and sorghum. Data were collected on the number of larval instars, pupae, and adults as well as their developmental times. Agricultural practices were found to influence the abundance of S. frugiperda in the farmers' fields. The number of larvae was higher in sampling fields treated with herbicides alone. S. frugiperda larvae were reported to be more abundant on young vegetative plants, while the highest mortality rate was obtained on rice. In addition, the development level of S. frugiperda was fastest in maize, followed by sorghum, millet, and rice. The Structural Equation Models (SEM) showed significant relationships between the crop types and the abundance of development stages. Conversely, these relationships were significantly negative across the different stages of insect development. This study allowed us to understand the development level of the pest according to the different farmer's agricultural practices and its feeding preference to its potential cereal host plants.

The composition and spatial arrangement of multiple crop and non-crop habitats at a field and landscape levels have the potential to modify the abundance and structure of arthropod communities. In particular, semi-natural habitats can provide important life support functions to a range of natural enemies of agricultural pests. How such traits might affect generalist predators has poorly been considered in complex landscapes dominated by intercropping and trees within a mosaic of small-scale agricultural plots in Africa. The objective of the present study was to test the hypothesis that crop diversity and landscape complexity in maize cropping systems decrease the abundance of crop pests through natural regulation by generalist predators. For this purpose, we monitored the fall armyworm abundance and predation of sentinel larvae by predatory ants across a set of maize fields with contrasted within-field crop diversity and abundance of semi-natural vegetation including trees and shrubs in their surrounding landscape. A negative effect of crop diversity and landscape complexity on FAW abundance, and a species-specific effect on ant abundance, were observed. However, no significant effect of ant abundance or

Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a widely grown vegetatively propagated food crop in the Benin Republic.The taro leaf blight (TLB) epidemic in 2009, caused by Phytophthora colocasiae, has destroyed taro production and wiped out many taro landraces in West Africa.A survey was conducted in the southern region of Benin to assess the status of taro and TLB, ethnobotany, farmers' perceptions of taro, and identify production constraints.A structured questionnaire was used to collect information from 24 farmers in 17 villages across six departments, and the TLB incidence was assessed in the same fields.The results revealed the prevalence of TLB across all the villages and a sharp reduction in production since the TLB epidemic.The TLB incidence ranged from 25 to 100%, however, the mean symptom severity score per field assessed on a 1 to 5 rating scale varied between 0.25 and 2.8.Awareness about the TLB or good crop management practices was low.Integrated methods for TLB control and improved agronomic management are crucial to enhance taro yields.In the long term, introducing resistant varieties is critical for the sustainable management of TLB and taro production in Benin.

To meet the high demand for white Guinea yam, there is a need to develop and release improved varieties to farmers. Unfortunately, low rate of adoption of most of the improved yam varieties by both producers and consumers was observed. Information regarding agronomic characteristics and food qualities of popular white Guinea yam landraces with high market value are not available to establish minimum standards to be considered by breeding programs. To fill this gap, surveys using rural appraisal tools were carried out in 20 villages and 16 markets throughout Benin. Data on the agronomic performance suggested that for an improved variety to be adopted by Beninese farmers it should have a minimum yield of 4.16 ± 0.15 kg per mound, and average number of marketable tubers of 1.23 ± 0.05, a mean tuber length of 36.41 ± 1.22 cm, and a minimum diameter of 25.44 ± 1.16 cm. The sensorial attributes for boiled and pounded tubers of this improved variety should have minimum score of 3.16 for texture, 0.75 for softness, 3.75 for elasticity, and 1.34 for colour during the sensory evaluation. The improved variety must also have a minimum average severity score of 1.1 for yam mosaic virus disease, 1.33 for anthracnose and 1 for nematodes. Landraces Amoula, Laboko, and Djilaadja should be considered as the standard for yield, sensory attributes, and tolerance to pest and diseases while landraces Danwari, Kodjewe, Mondji, and Gnidou should be characterized as possessing good flowering and fruit setting capacities for breeding programs.

The pulse beetle Callosobruchus maculatus Fabricius (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) is an important pest of stored soybean grains.It is imperative to screen out the prevailing genotypes of Beninese soybean cropping systems in order to find out the resistant ones against C. maculatus infestations.The effect of seven grain physical traits (testa thickness, colour, texture, hardness, length, breadth, and 100-grain mass) on the susceptibility of eight soybean varieties to C. maculatus were evaluated in the laboratory.The correlations and contributions of the studied traits were evaluated using correlation path coefficient analysis.The tested soybean varieties showed a variation in physical seed characteristics.A differential susceptibility of soybean varieties to C. maculatus was observed, with the white seeded variety Whéwhé having longest and largest grains was the most susceptible.Based on the Dobie susceptibility index, the Yovoton variety was proved to be resistant to C. maculatus attacks.While, Kecheke, Houeton, Adjaton and Vovoh varieties were classified as moderately resistant to C. maculatus.The correlation analysis indicated that 100-seed weight had significant positive correlation with F1 progeny (r = 0.439), seed consumption (r = 0.467), number of eggs laid (r = 0.295) and susceptibility index (r = 0.453).Path coefficient analysis showed that each seed physical character and its interactions with the others characters influenced soybean grains susceptibility to C. maculatus.Soybean seed thickness showed the higher direct positive effect on soybean susceptibility to C.

Background: Storage pests cause extensive damages to stored products and are responsible for huge post-harvest losses affecting the quality, quantity, and germination potential of stored grains and seeds. This study aimed to investigate the variability of traditional methods of storage and conservation of maize seeds practiced by farmers to propose alternative measures for a significant reduction of post-harvest losses of seeds. Methods : Using participatory research approaches, we surveyed farmers from 21 randomly selected villages in 5 districts in southern Benin. Data were collected on the storage structures of the 3 certified and most produced maize seeds varieties. The forms under which maize seeds are stored, as well as the damage caused by the major storage insects, were determined. Results: Results showed that most farmers store maize seeds in the form of grains and spathe. Following the laboratory observation of the three maize varieties studied, the DMR / QPM variety produced only in the district of Zagnanado has a low abundance of storage insects and a low rate of post-harvest losses. Sitophilus zeamais is the most abundant pest of the three maize seed varieties followed by Prostephanus truncatus. The variety 2000 SYN EE was the most attacked by storage insects. The most promising post-harvest agricultural practice is the storage of maize with spathe saved in jute bags, in granaries or cribs. Conclusions: Storage insects contribute to the depreciation of the quality of grains, loss of grain and reduction of their germinability in stock. Improving farmers' awareness of these post-harvest practices could help to reduce the damage of storage insects.

Genetic diversity studies provide important details on target trait availability and its variability, for the success of breeding programs. In this study, GBS approach was used to reveal a new structuration of genetic diversity and population structure of pigeonpea in Benin. We used a total of 688 high-quality Single Nucleotide Polymorphism markers for a total of 44 pigeonpea genotypes. The distribution of SNP markers on the 11 chromosomes ranged from 14 on chromosome 5 to 133 on chromosome 2. The Polymorphism Information Content and gene diversity values were 0.30 and 0.34 respectively. The analysis of population structure revealed four clear subpopulations. The Weighted Neighbor Joining tree agreed with structure analyses by grouping the 44 genotypes into four clusters. The PCoA revealed that genotypes from subpopulations 1, 2 and 3 intermixed among themselves. The Analysis of Molecular Variance showed 7% of the total variation among genotypes while the rest of variation (93%) was within genotypes from subpopulations indicating a high gene exchange (Nm = 7.13) and low genetic differentiation (PhiPT = 0.07) between subpopulations. Subpopulation 2 presented the highest mean values of number of different alleles (Na = 1.57), number of loci with private alleles (Pa = 0.11) and the percentage of polymorphic loci (P = 57.12%). We discuss our findings and demonstrate how the genetic diversity and the population structure of this specie can be used through the Genome Wide Association Studies and Marker-Assisted Selection to enhance genetic gain in pigeonpea breeding programs in Benin.