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RESEARCH ARTICLE                      BIOSCIENCE RESEARCH, 2026 23(1): 01-11.                     OPEN ACCESS

Characterization of phenotypic diversity of edible tiger nut (Cyperus esculentus L.) accessions collected from Côte d’Ivoire

DAGO Lydia Karmelle Ornella^1*, N’Dri Konan Ella², GORE Bi Boh Nestor¹, ADJI Beda Innocent³, EHUI Kiroua Jean Baptiste¹, GBAYORO Sialou Florence¹, DIEGANE Diouf⁴and AKAFFOU Doffou Sélastique¹

¹Departement of Agronomy and Forestry, Jean Lorougnon Guede University, BP 150 Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire

²Department of Agriculture and New Technologies, Training and Research Unit in Agriculture, Fisheries resources and Agro-Industry, University of San Pedro, BPV1800 San Pedro, Côte d’Ivoire

³Agroforestry Training and Research Unit, Jean Lorougnon Guede University, BP 150 Daloa, Côte d’Ivoire

⁴Department of Plant Biology, Cheikh Anta Diop University, P.O. Box 5005, Dakar, Senegal and Joint Microbiology Laboratory IRD/ISRA/UCAD, Bel-Air Research Center, P.O. Box 1386 – Postal Code 18524, Dakar, Senegal

DOI: https://doi.org/10.65970/br.2026.137

Abstract

Cyperus esculentus is a highly valued food plant in Côte d’Ivoire, yet its production remains insufficient. To address this issue, the development of a genetic improvement program is essential. Achieving this goal requires a comprehensive understanding of the phenotypic diversity among accessions. In this context, 43 accessions were collected from 8 locations across the country. A randomized experimental design with three replications was implemented at Jean Lorougnon Guedé University. On the experimental plots, two qualitative and eighteen quantitative traits were recorded and subjected to statistical analyses: one-way ANOVA and multivariate analyses (PCA, HCA, and DFA). Of the 18 quantitative parameters assessed, 10 contributed significantly as principal components. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed three main axes explaining the total variation (1 : 60.69 %, 2 : 19.41 %, 3 : 15.06 %). Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) identified two distinct groups : 1 (12 accessions) and 2 (32 accessions). Discriminant Factor Analysis (DFA) showed NTP, ToM and ES were the most discriminant variable between these groups. Regarding qualitative traits, color analysis revealed a single phenotype (yellow), while shape analysis identified three phenotypes: elongated, oval, and round, across the accessions.

Keywords: accessions, Cyperus esculentus, Ivory Coast, phenotypic diversity, food security