Collections of short-day onion germplasm in West Africa: a survey

Results are presented of a 1994 postal survey of holdings of local onion (Allium cepa L.) germplasm by institutions in West Africa. Data obtained from respondents included the number of accessions of onion or shallot held and the conditions in which onion seed was stored. Twenty-four replies were received and eighteen sites where collections were held were identified. The numbers of local A. cepa accessions in local collections varied in number from 38 down to nil, but many local collections were of less than five accessions. The largest number of national onion accessions was held at CERRA, Maradi, in Niger (16), and the largest regional collection was at the Station de Farako-bâ, Burkina Faso (38). Two sites held substantial shallot collections: CRA Bareng in Guinée and IDESSA, Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire. Conditions under which onion seed was stored varied from low temperature, controlled storage in moisture-proof packs with desiccants, to storage in plastic envelopes under ambient laboratory conditions.