On-Farm Management of Rice Diversity, Varietal Preference Criteria, and Farmers’ Perceptions of the African (Oryza glaberrima Steud.) Versus Asian Rice (Oryza sativa L.) in the Republic of Benin (West Africa): Implications for Breeding and Conservation

Rice (Oryza spp.) is an important food and cash crop in the Republic of Benin. However, despite its production increase recent years, yield cultivated varieties remains low, introduction improved threatens rice diversity existing traditional agriculture. Therefore, documenting on-farm management diversity, farmers’ varietal preferences, their perceptions performance species are prerequisites for development on-site breeding conservation programs. To fill these gaps Benin, 418 farmers, belonging to 21 ethnic groups, were surveyed 39 villages using participatory rural appraisal tools. Subject synonymy, 30 68 local registered folk nomenclature taxonomy documented. The north Benin had highest with greatest number varieties, making this region best place situ program. maintained per village varied from 1 15 (six on average). foursquare analysis revealed that variety IR 841 was by far most popular variety. Most NERICA abandoned south, while still hosts a wide range varieties. Twenty-one reasons explained abandonment varying according geographic areas groups. seed system both formal informal study area. evaluation necessity create introduce tolerant/resistant drought flooding stresses Beninese agriculture meet preferences. Our results showed would be suitable diversity.