Phenotypic and Agronomic Characterization of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) Accessions in Three Agroclimatic Zones of Côte d'Ivoire

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Context: In Côte d'Ivoire, sesame currently contributes to diversifying household incomes, particularly in the north. However, the lack of high-quality seeds adapted to the growing areas prevents the efficient exploitation of its agronomic potential. Aims: To identify accessions with high production potential. Study Design: Seventeen accessions collected in Côte d'Ivoire and five from Senegal were evaluated using a randomized complete block experimental design. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in the localities of Korhogo, Diawala, and Touba during the rainy seasons of the years 2022 and 2023. Methodology: Observations and measurements focused on agro-morphological parameters. Descriptive, univariate, and multivariate analyses were performed using R software. Results: The results of the study revealed significant diversity in agro-morphological parameters between accessions. Principal component analysis and ascending hierarchical classification identified three agro-morphological groups. One group was characterized by late maturity (100 to 107 days), tall plants (154.39 to 206.08 cm) with a large number of branches (between 13 and 25 branches) and high seeds yield (1336.26 kg/ha in Diawala; 577.17 kg/ha in Korhogo and 542.57 kg/ha in Touba). One group with an early cycle (82 to 86 days), low vegetative development, and low yield (424.47 kg/ha in Korhogo; 445 kg/ha in Touba and 1211.04 kg/ha in Diawala). And an intermediate group with a development cycle of between 87 and 99 days and moderate yield (543.72 kg/ha in Korhogo; 1,090.84 kg/ha in Touba and 1,256.99 kg/ha in Diawala). Discriminant factor analysis showed that most of the measured characteristics, except for the number of seeds per pod, allow for discrimination between the groups formed. Conclusion: The various groups of high-yielding accessions with good agronomic and morphological performance identified by locality could be offered to producers as accessions suited to those localities.