BACKGROUND Pigeonpea is a multipurpose food legume crop that contributes to food security in the Republic of Benin. For the establishment of conservation and breeding programs, previous ethnobotanical surveys on pigeonpea were done in Benin but restricted to south and central regions. In previous years, pigeonpea landraces were introduced in northern Benin for soil fertility management; it is therefore important to evaluate the diversity in this legume in this region. Exhaustive documentation of pigeonpea diversity grown in the Republic of Benin will be necessary for effective breeding and conservation programs. Therefore, the aim of this study was to document genetic diversity of pigeonpea, across the agro-ecological zones of the Republic of Benin for its promotion and valorization. METHODS A total of 500 pigeonpea farmers representing 13 sociolinguistic groups were selected from 50 villages. The data were collected using methods and tools of participatory research appraisal. Folk nomenclatures, taxonomy of pigeonpea and seed system were investigated. The distribution and extent of pigeonpea landraces were evaluated using the Four Square Analysis method. A comparative analysis of pigeonpea use categories production systems, production constraints, famers' preference criteria, and participative evaluation for existing landraces across agro-ecological zones was done. RESULT Folk nomenclature and taxonomy were mainly based on seed coat color and size. Seven pigeonpea use categories were recorded including sacrifice, grain processing and fertilization. The results showed that the pigeonpea seed system is informal. Based on seed characteristics, fifteen landraces were recorded including seven new landraces. The Sudano-Guinean zone contained the highest number (11) of landraces. The average number of landraces per village was 2.7. A high rate of landraces facing threat of disappearance was observed across the ecological zones. Ten constraints are known to affect pigeonpea production in Benin, with pests and diseases as the most critical in all agro-ecological zones. This study revealed that pigeonpea cultivation is increasing in the Sudanian zone. Varieties to be produced must be selected based on 11 criteria which included precocity and resistance to pests and diseases in the three ecological zones and adaptability to any type of soil in the Sudanian zone. The participatory evaluation revealed the existence of a few performing cultivars. CONCLUSIONS Our results revealed that implementation of a pigeonpea genetic conservation program in Benin must take into account the diversity, production constraints and varietal preference, which varied according to agro-ecological zones. In situ and ex situ conservation strategies are important to preserve pigeonpea landraces. Morphological and molecular characterizations of identified cultivars are highly recommended to help select suitable varieties for breeding programs.

中文翻译：

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贝宁共和国农业生态区的木豆（Cajanus cajan [L.] Millspaugh）多样性的农场管理和参与性评估。

背景技术木豆是一种多用途的豆类食品作物，有助于贝宁共和国的粮食安全。为了建立保护和育种计划，以前在贝宁对木豆进行了民族植物学调查，但仅限于南部和中部地区。在前几年，贝宁北部引入了木豆地方品种来管理土壤肥力。因此，重要的是评估该地区该豆科植物的多样性。对于有效的育种和保护计划，必须有详尽的文件记载贝宁共和国生长的木豆多样性。因此，本研究的目的是记录整个贝宁共和国农业生态区木豆的遗传多样性，以促进和提高其价值。方法从50个村庄中选出代表13个社会语言群体的500名木豆农。使用参与性研究评估的方法和工具收集数据。研究了民间术语，木豆的分类学和种子系统。使用四平方分析法评估了木豆地方品种的分布和程度。对木豆使用类别的生产系统，生产限制，农民的偏好标准以及对跨农业生态区的现有地方品种的参与性评估进行了比较分析。结果民间命名和分类法主要基于种皮的颜色和大小。记录了七个木豆使用类别，包括牺牲，谷物加工和施肥。结果表明，木豆种子系统是非正式的。根据种子特性，记录了15个地方品种，其中包括7个新地方品种。苏达诺-几内亚地区包含最多（11）个地方品种。每个村庄的平均地方品种为2.7个。在整个生态区中，观察到大量面临消失威胁的地方品种。已知有十种限制因素影响贝宁的木豆生产，在所有农业生态区中，病虫害最为严重。这项研究表明，苏丹人地区的木豆种植正在增加。必须根据11个标准选择要生产的品种，其中包括三个生态区的早熟和对病虫害的抵抗力以及对苏丹区任何类型土壤的适应性。参与性评估表明存在一些表现良好的品种。结论我们的结果表明，在贝宁实施木豆遗传保护计划必须考虑到多样性，生产限制和品种偏好，这些因农业生态区而异。原生境和非原生境保护策略对于保护木豆地方品种非常重要。强烈建议对已鉴定品种进行形态和分子鉴定，以帮助选择适合育种计划的品种。