Crop biocultural traits and diversity dynamics among Bassari farmers

Bassari farmers in southeastern Senegal integrate both agronomic and socio-cultural traits when evaluating crops, revealing that no single biocultural trait alone determines crop diversity dynamics. This study introduces the concept of 'crop biocultural traits' to bridge social and biological dimensions, using participatory methods like interviews and workshops to assess six staple crops: sorghum, Bambara groundnut, fonio, maize, rice, and peanut. Findings highlight the complexity of farmer-crop interactions, emphasizing ontological pluralism and collective agricultural knowledge as essential for plant breeding and conservation efforts tailored to local needs.

Porcuna-Ferrer, A., Guillerminet, T., Renard, D., Labeyrie, V., Leclerc, C., & Reyes-García, V. (2025). Crop biocultural traits and diversity dynamics among Bassari farmers. Agriculture and Human Values, 42(3), 1323–1345. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-025-10725-0