Phénologie et biologie florale de Sesamum radiatum Schumach. & Thon., un légume feuille traditionnel en voie de domestication au Bénin

Abstract Traditional leafy vegetables (LFT) are plants whose leaves are used and consumed by local human populations. Africa is an enormous reservoir of diversity for those vegetables which participate to food security, nutrition and monetary income in both rural and urban areas. The leafy vegetables are rich in fibres, vitamins and minerals. But intensive and repeated harvesting of the LFT in Africa results in their increasing rarity. Among endogenous leafy vegetables recorded in Benin, Sesamum radiatum Schumach. & Thonn. (Pedaliaceae) is a species commonly consumed by many ethnic groups. During plant development, quantitative and qualitative modifications occur, such as an increase in stem size and the production of leaves, flowers, fruit and grains To contribute to a better understanding of the breeding system and phenology for in situ and ex situ conservation of S. radiatum, we conducted both on-station and on-farm experiments. The on-station experiment was conducted at the International Institute of ...