Selection of suitable cultivars

For good results farmers should select the most suitable cultivars, as this determines, to some extent, the yield that can be obtained from the crop. Cultivars should be selected according to the length of the local growing period, their resistance to lodging, pests, diseases and shattering, as well as their yield potential.

In the last years, first improved cultivars have been released in West African countries, including five cultivars in the Benin Republic with an early to medium growing period and good yield potentials. Further breeding efforts and proper plant seed selection may result in improved stability of tillers to prevent lodging, provide reduced photoperiod-sensitivity and larger grain size.

Factors to consider when selecting suitable cultivars for cultivation include:

Length of the growing period: Fonio plants reach maturity and are ready for harvesting from 8 weeks upwards after sowing. Ideally, the growing period of the selected cultivars must match the length of the rainy season. Usually cultivars with a short to medium growing period are preferred, as they can still perform during rainfall.
Adaptability: Selected cultivars should not only grow well under local growing conditions, but be easy to process, also when processing is done mechanically, and satisfy consumers’ preferences.
Resistance to lodging and shattering: Lodging is a challenge in fonio cultivation due to the fragility of the plant shoots. It therefore is imperative for farmers to grow cultivars that are resistant to lodging, in order to avoid yield losses. It is also necessary to select cultivars that are, as much as possible, resistant to shattering.
Resistance to pests and diseases: Ideally the selected cultivars would exhibit high resistance to common pests and diseases like the leaf spot disease, rust, or birds.
Yield potential: Low yields are one of the major challenges to fonio production. It is therefore necessary to select improved cultivars, where they are available, that have the ability to give higher yields. To fulfill their potential such cultivars depend on improved soil fertility and management.

Discussion on cultivar selection

Invite the farmers to share their experiences with fonio cultivars, using the following questions:

Which criteria do you consider when selecting seeds to grow fonio?
Have you tried out different local cultivars?
Have you made any experiences with improved fonio cultivars?