Agromorphological characterization of black nightshade (solanum nigrum l.) from Burkina Faso

Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.) is a leafy vegetable grown and consumed around the world. It is also used as medicine and fodder for animals. Despite its socio-economic importance, very few studies have been devoted to it in Burkina Faso and its agromorphological diversity has not been yet studied. The objective of this study is to contribute to a better knowledge of the agromorphological diversity of Solanum nigrum in Burkina Faso. Fifty-two black nightshade accessions, collected in the three climatic zones of Burkina Faso, were evaluated using a Randomized Complete Block Design (Fischer’s Block) with three replicates. Thirty-two (32) variables including 14 qualitative variables and 18 quantitative variables were collected and subjected to an analysis of variance. The study revealed the existence of a large agromorphological variability within the accessions from each climatic zone. Significant differences at the 5% threshold were observed between the accessions from the three climatic zones for 26 agromorphological characters. The agronomic performances of the accessions from the Sahelo-Sudanian zone were respectively superior to those from the Sudanian and Sahelian zones. The structuring of the diversity of the accessions highlighted three major groups. Group I consisted mainly of accessions cultivated in the Sudanian zone. The second group was mainly made up of accessions collected in the Sudano-Sahelian zone and the third group of accessions from the Sudano-Sahelian and Sahelian zones. Conclusion: Ended, the results of this study could be exploited in future breeding work.