Groundnut Basin Research Articles

Climate-Related Risks and Agricultural Yield Assessment in the Senegalese Groundnut Basin

Climate change and variability pose significant threats to agricultural production, particularly in regions heavily dependent on rainfed agriculture like Senegal. The problem addressed in this study revolves around the impact of climate-related risks on agricultural yields in the Senegalese Groundnut Basin as a key agricultural region. Daily rainfall, temperatures, and yield over 1991–2020 were used. The data were analyzed using multiple regression, trend analysis, and correlation approaches. The results indicate that the overall seasonal precipitation increases over time (98 mm in the north and 103 mm in the south). However, we found that the south Groundnut Basin has a much slower seasonal precipitation rate than the northern zone. Our results also show that the northern zone exhibits a more consistent and predictable growing season, with onset and offset, in contrast with the southern zone, which shows higher variability. The analysis further reveals that both the northern and southern zones are experiencing a warming trend, with the southern zone showing a more pronounced increase in maximum temperatures (+0.7 °C) than to the northern zone (+0.4 °C). Estimates from the regression analysis revealed that total seasonal precipitation and maximum temperature positively and significantly influence groundnut, millet, and maize yields in the northern and southern zones. All the other weather-related parameters have different influences depending on the zone. These findings highlight the heterogeneous nature of the study area and the significant role climatic factors play in crop yield variability in the Groundnut Basin. Understanding these influences is crucial for developing targeted agricultural strategies and climate adaptation measures to mitigate risks and enhance regional productivity. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers and farmers aiming to improve crop resilience and sustain agricultural outputs amidst changing climatic conditions.

Soil microbiomes from the groundnut basin of Senegal contain plant growth-promoting bacteria with potential for crop improvement in arid soils.

The principal methods to maintain soil fertility in Sahel soils are largely allowing fields to go fallow and manure addition. These methods are not currently sufficient to improve soil fertility. To promote biological amendments, we aimed to understand the plant-growth promoting traits of various soil microbial isolates. The soils collected in different areas in Senegal exhibited a similar eDNA profile of bacteria; the dominant microbes were Firmicutes, followed by Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. Of 17 isolates identified and tested, the vast majority solubilized rock phosphate and a large number grew on culture medium containing 6% salt, but very few degraded starches or hydrolysed carboxymethyl cellulose or produced siderophores. Upon single inoculation, Peribacillus asahii RC16 and Dietzia cinnamea 55 significantly increased pearl millet growth and yield parameters. For cowpea, plant shoot length was significantly increased by Pseudarthrobacter phenanthrenivorans MKAG7 co-inoculated with Bradyrhizobium elkanii 20TpCR5, and nearly all rhizobacteria tested significantly improved cowpea dry weight and pod weight. Additionally, the double inoculation of Dietzia cinnamea 55 and MKAG7 significantly increased shoot length, dry weight, and seed head weight of pearl millet. These isolates are promising inoculants because they are ecologically-friendly, cost-effective, sustainable, and have fewer negative effects on the soil and its inhabitants.

Variation of biomass carbon stock within agroforestry systems in the Senegalese groundnut basin

Agroforestry plays a pivotal role in mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and addressing the challenges posed by climate change. While carbon sequestration efforts have primarily centred on forests, it is imperative to acknowledge the contribution that non-forest ecosystems, such as agroforestry, can offer. This study investigated the influence of agroforestry systems on the variation of biomass carbon stocks in the Sahelo-Sudanian and Sudanian regions of the Senegalese Groundnut basin. Three primary agroforestry systems were studied: silvopastoral, agrisilvicultural, and agrosilvopastoral. Forty-six (46) 100 m × 100 m plots were sampled, within which 1 × 1 m2 subplots were used to sample understory biomass across three agroforestry systems in the two climatic zones. Analysis of variance was performed to assess the influence of agroforestry systems and climatic zones on biomass carbon stocks. The findings showed that in the Sahelo-Sudanian region, the agrisilvicultural system exhibited the highest AGC + BGC stocks, averaging 43.42 ± 21.61 tCha−1. In contrast, the silvopastoral system showed significantly higher AGC + BGC stocks, which amounted to 36.33 ± 12.27 tCha−1 in the Sudanian region. On the other hand, understory carbon stocks were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the agrisilvicultural and agrosilvopastoral systems than in the silvopastoral system in both climatic zones. Agroforestry systems had a significant effect on AGC + BGC stocks within climatic zones. Nevertheless, the effect was less pronounced when comparing across climatic regions. These results underscore the importance of specific land management practices interacting with local climatic conditions to influence AGC + BGC stocks. Therefore, policy makers should carefully consider the interaction of these factors when implementing carbon management practices and planning mitigation strategies in West Africa.

Unveiling the resilience of smallholder farmers in Senegal amidst extreme climate conditions

AbstractIn Senegal, agriculture is an important sector underpinning the socioeconomic fabric of the populace. Notably, the agricultural production in this region exhibits heightened sensitivity to climatic perturbations, particularly droughts and heat waves. This study aims to determine the resilience of different agronomic interventions for farmers practicing mixed farming that produce both crops (i.e., groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.)) and raise animals in the Groundnut Basin in Senegal, which holds historical and socioeconomic significance. To understand the current situation regarding demographics, economics, consumption behavior, and farm operations for smallholder farmers, data were comprehensively collected from government and nongovernment organizations (NGO) reports, scientific papers, organization databases, and surveys. Additionally, the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM) was used to understand how combinations of three planting dates, three plant densities, and six urea nitrogen (N) fertilizer rates affected the yield of pearl millet, which were used as the alternative scenarios to the baseline in the farm modeling and analyses. All the collected and generated data were used as inputs into the Farm Simulation Model (FARMSIM) to generate economic, nutritional, and risk data associated with mixed farming systems. The generated data were then used to determine the resilience of the alternative scenarios against the baseline. Initially, a multi‐objective optimization was employed to meet nutritional needs while maintaining a healthy diet at the lowest cost. Then, the scenarios that met the population's nutritional requirements were evaluated based on four economic indicators: net cash farm income (NCFI), ending cash reserves (EC), net present value (NPV), and internal rate of return (IRR). Lastly, those that passed the economic feasibility test were ranked based on risk criteria certainty equivalent (CE) and risk premium (RP). The analyses found N fertilizer rates of 0, 20, and 100 kg N ha−1 were generally economically not feasible. Additionally, medium (early‐July to late‐August) and late (late‐July to mid‐September) planting dates generally performed better than early (early‐June to late‐July) planting dates, while plant densities of 3.3 and 6.6 pL m−2 performed better than 1.1. The robust resilience approach introduced in this study is easily transferable to other regions.

A methodology based on territorial metabolism analysis to assess the multi-criteria sustainability of African village terroirs with contrasted crop-livestock systems

CONTEXTAgricultural intensification to ensure food security and limit rural exodus is a major issue in sub-Saharan Africa. The potential of livestock farming to improve the sustainability of farming systems has been studied but rarely at the landscape level. However, because the herds move about in the landscape, thereby creating horizontal biomass and nutrient flows between plots and households, the landscape is the only level where all the interactions between the different components of the agro-ecosystem (animals, crops and trees) can be considered. OBJECTIVEOur objective was to develop a methodology that uses territorial metabolism for multicriteria assessment of sustainability to compare contrasted livestock systems. METHODSWe compare two neighboring village terroirs in the former groundnut basin of Senegal. One village (Diohine), has kept a “traditional extensive system” based on fallow, free grazing and night corralling, while the other (Barry) uses a “modern semi-intensive system” based on livestock fattening in which the livestock is stall-fed with feed concentrate and crop residues. During the survey, village households were asked to describe their practices and to quantify biomass and nitrogen (N) flows to enable us to calculate sustainability indicators (productivity, balance, efficiency, dependency, profitability) at plot, household and village terroir levels. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSAt village terroir level, introducing livestock fattening increased the livestock stocking rate (0.96 TLU ha-1 in Diohine and 2.31 TLU ha-1 in Barry) and spreading of solid manure on crop fields (respectively 337 and 482 kgDM ha-1). Fattening livestock requires large imports of feed concentrate, 23.67 kgN ha-1 in Barry versus 3.39 kgN ha-1 in Diohine. The improved livestock productivity of fattening (+217 kgLW ha-1) produces higher financial returns (+432€ household-1 year-1) that enable the use of more mineral fertilizers (6.28 kgN ha-1 in Barry versus 1.09 kgN ha-1 in Diohine). The additional N inputs in Barry enable increased yields of the main staple crop (millet) (+101 kgDM ha-1). The population density of Barry village is +78% higher (320 capita km-2 in Barry versus 180 capita km-2 in Diohine). The village nitrogen balance (24.88 kgN ha-1 in Barry versus 8.51 kgN ha-1 in Diohine) and N use efficiencies (respectively 0.64 and 0.15) demonstrate that nutrient cycling and soil fertility management are more sustainable in Barry. SIGNIFICANCEWe propose a methodology to rebuild territorial metabolism from surveys. Territorial metabolism is used to calculate a set of multi-criteria sustainability indicators. This methodology will be particularly useful in sub-Saharan Africa where data on agricultural systems are lacking.

Local Beneficial Microorganisms Impact Carbon and Nitrogen Mineralization in a Lixisol Incubated with Organic Waste Products

Growing awareness of the environmental impact of intensive agriculture has prompted a quest for more sustainable approaches. The most promising alternatives include the application of organic waste products (OWPs), as well as biofertilizers containing local beneficial microorganisms (BMs) on cultivated soils. This study was designed to assess the effects of BMs on carbon and nitrogen mineralization of OWPs. A 28-day laboratory incubation experiment was conducted at 28 °C with a soil, three OWPs (poultry litter (PL), cow dung (CD), and sewage sludge (SS)), and three BMs (groundnut + millet from Saint-Louis (LGM), groundnut from the southern groundnut basin (BG), and rice from the southern groundnut basin (BR) in Senegal), alone and combined. The results showed that the C mineralization from OWP + BM + soil mixtures exceeded (range 13–41%) those measured for OWP + soil. The BM input induced an increase or reduction in OWP nitrogen mineralization, depending on the type of BM and OWP. However, the net mineral nitrogen (Nmin) obtained with the PL-LGM and SS-BG combinations was 13.6- and 1.7-fold higher than with PL and SS, respectively, at 28 days. The addition of BM seemed to lead to a decrease in the C: N ratio, an improvement in the availability of nitrogen, and an increase in microbial activity in the OWP + BM + soil mixture. Our results generated new information on the variation patterns of OWP carbon and nitrogen in OWP-BM-soil systems. This novel insight will be developed to guide the most appropriate choice of OWP-BM mixtures for improved fertilization in sustainable production systems.

Climatic Anticipation of Dry Cereal Producers in the Groundnut Basin of Senegal

The Groundnut Basin is one of six agro-ecological zones in Senegal where farmers are very affected by climate uncertainty during the rainy season. This paper examines the types of climate anticipation of dry cereal producers before the start of the rainy season. The main parameter used to determine the types of anticipation is based on climate information. Farmers are characterized according to their ability to formulate a climate forecast from climate information sources for which they have a degree of confidence. The results show that the majority of farmers formulate adaptive expectations on the climate by defining a margin of error to the received information (35.41%), while only 1.65% makes expectations without a formal source. This study suggests that insurance policies should take into account the profile of farmers in the face of climatic information, in particular the level of tolerable loss anticipated by the producer and his other socio-economic characteristics, accessibility to basic social services and the production system practiced.

Study of the herbicidal properties of aqueous extracts of Prosopis juliflora leaves on different yield parameters and yield

Millet is Alongside rice, maize and sorghum one of the main cereals grown in the Senegal. However, its production is still facing some challenges including weed pressure, lack of nutrients and water in the soil. This study aims to contribute to the improvement of agricultural production in the groundnut basin through sustainable weed management. Specifically, we intend to: 1-determine the effect Prosopis juliflora extracts on stem growth and yield, 2- characterize the effect of the application date on the millet cobs and stems, 3- determine the effect of extracts on the yield. The treatments were made using 100 g of Prosopis juliflora leaf pounded and infused in 1000 ml of water for 24 hours. From the resulting mixture, two dilutions were made (5% and 10%) and applied to the experimental plots. Each experimental plot received 150 kg/ha of nitrogen fertilizer (urea) in 2 applications. The results shows that the Growth and yield parameters (number of cobs, number and weight of ears) variate depending on the year and treatments. The Yield and its components are inversely proportional to the grass cover. We recommend therefore to increase the concentration of extracts and to carry out a single weeding at the beginning of the cycle in order to reduce weed infestation and promote a better growth and development of millet.

Analysis of rainfall variability in the northern center of the Senegalese groundnut basin: Louga, Thies and Diourbel regions

Analysis of rainfall variability in the northern center of the Senegalese groundnut basin: Louga, Thies and Diourbel regions

Analysis of rainfall variability in the northern center of the Senegalese groundnut basin: Louga, Thies and Diourbel regions

Analysis of rainfall variability in the northern center of the Senegalese groundnut basin: Louga, Thies and Diourbel regions

Measuring the stability of soil organic carbon in Arenosols in the Senegalese Groundnut Basin

Soil organic carbon (SOC) contributes to agrosystem productivity. Understanding how farming practices implemented by smallholders affect the levels and distribution of SOC in carbon (C) pools with different stabilities is essential in sub-Saharan Arenosols where SOC mineralization is intense. The stability of SOC was studied by thermal (Therm-C), physical (particulate organic matter >50 μm, POM-C and fine soil fractions <50 μm, FF-C), chemical (permanganate-oxidizable carbon, POX-C) and biological (mineralizable C, Min-C) approaches. Soil samples were collected at depths of 0–10 and 10–30 cm in cultivated fields (out- or home-fields) without any input, with millet residues, amended with manure, or with household organic wastes. Globally, average SOC contents were low (<6 g C kg-1). The variability in SOC and C pool contents was sensitive to field management. The different approaches to measuring the stability of SOC did not measure the same fraction of SOC. POM-C and Therm-C were correlated and both explained Min-C similarly, thus suggesting that in these sandy soils, POM-C or Therm-C probably measured comparable properties of the stability of C. The lack of relationships between POX-C and other pools suggested that POX-C encompassed a different nature of SOC while providing complementary information on the biogeochemical stability of SOC.

Growth and profitability performance of three accessions grafts and seedlings of Tamarindus indica (Fabaceae) planted in the Groundnut Basin of Senegal

Growth and profitability performance of three accessions grafts and seedlings of Tamarindus indica (Fabaceae) planted in the Groundnut Basin of Senegal

Estimating water fluxes in the critical zone using water stable isotope approaches in the Groundnut and Ferlo basins of Senegal

AbstractSustainable water management in semi‐arid agriculture practices requires quantitative knowledge of water fluxes within the soil‐vegetation‐atmosphere system. Therefore, we used stable‐isotope approaches to evaluate evaporation (Ea), transpiration (Ta), and groundwater recharge (R) at sites in Senegal's Groundnut basin and Ferlo Valley pasture region during the pre‐monsoon, monsoon, and post‐monsoon seasons of 2021. The approaches were based upon (i) the isothermal evaporation model (for quantifying Ea); (ii) water and isotope mass balances (to partition Ea and Ta for groundnut and pasture); and (iii) the piston displacement method (for estimating R). Ea losses derived from the isothermal evaporation model corresponded primarily to Stage II evaporation, and ranged from 0.02 to 0.09 mm d−1 in the Groundnut basin, versus 0.02–0.11 mm d−1 in Ferlo. At the groundnut site, Ea rates ranged from 0.01 to 0.69 mm d−1; Ta was in the range 0.55–2.29 mm d−1; and the Ta/ETa ratio was 74%–90%. At the pasture site, the ranges were 0.02–0.39 mm d−1 for Ea; 0.9–1.69 mm d−1 for Ta; and 62–90% for Ta/ETa. The ETa value derived for the groundnut site via the isotope approach was similar to those from eddy covariance measurements, and also to the results from the previous validated HYDRUS‐1D model. However, the HYDRUS‐1D model gave a lower Ta/ETa ratio (23.2%). The computed groundwater recharge for the groundnut site amounted to less than 2% of the local annual precipitation. Recommendations are made regarding protocols for preventing changes to isotopic compositions of water in samples that are collected in remote arid regions, but must be analysed days later. The article ends with suggestions for studies to follow up on evidence that local aquifers are being recharged via preferential pathways.

How Does Heat-Stress Intensity Affect the Stability of Microbial Activity and Diversity of Soil Microbial Communities in Outfields and Homefields’ Cultivation Practices in the Senegalese Groundnut Basin?

Agroecosystems in the Senegalese groundnut basin experience long periods of high temperatures and drought, which disrupt the stability of soil microbial communities. This study evaluated how that stability is affected by homefields and outfields’ agricultural practices and the duration of heat stress. Specifically, we collected soils from organically farmed fields that receive continual high inputs of manure (homefields), and from fields that are rarely manured (outfields). Soil samples were submitted to artificial heat stress at 60°C for 3, 14, and 28 days, followed by 28 days of recovery at 28°C. We examined the functional stability of microbial communities by quantifying C mineralization, and characterized the stability of the communities’ taxonomic compositions via high-throughput DNA sequencing. We found that the microbial communities have a low resistance to heat stress in soils from both types of fields. However, the manuring practice does affect how the functional stability of microbial communities responds to different durations of heat stress. Although functional stability was not recovered fully in either soil, microbial community resilience seemed to be greater in homefield soils. Differences in manuring practices also affected the structural taxonomic stability of microbial communities: relative abundances of Bacilli, Chloroflexia, Actinobacteria and Sordariomycetes increased in the homefield stressed-soils, but decreased significantly in outfield soils. In contrast, relative abundances of α-Proteobacteria, γ-Proteobacteria and Eurotiomycetes increased significantly in outfield stressed-soils, while decreasing significantly in the homefield soils. Relative abundances of Bacilli changed little in outfield soils, indicating that this taxon is resistant to heat stress. In summary, the microbial communities’ capacities to resist heat stress and recover from it depend upon the organic richness of the soil (i.e., manuring practice) and the adaptation of soil microbes to environmental conditions.

Evaluation of parameterisation approaches for estimating soil hydraulic parameters with HYDRUS-1D in the groundnut basin of Senegal

ABSTRACT Soil hydraulic parameters (SHPs) required as inputs for numerical models are scarce in Sahelian regions. Instead, they are estimated using pedotransfer functions (PTFs), but their ability to simulate soil water dynamics has not been evaluated. This study aims to parameterize SHPs with seven different PTFs and inverse modelling to examine their ability to simulate water fluxes in Senegal’s Groundnut basin. We used four years of field measurements of soil water content (SWC) and actual evapotranspiration (ETa) under pearl millet and groundnut crop rotation for model evaluation. Inverse modelling for SWC (root mean square error [RMSE] ≤ 0.015 cm3 cm−3) and ETa (RMSE ≤ 0.62 mm d−1) yielded the best model performance compared to PTFs (0.024–0.175 cm3 cm−3 and 0.68–0.96 mm d−1, respectively). Where field measurements are lacking for inverse estimation, three of the seven tested PTFs yielded good modelling results and could be used as a parsimonious approach for cultivated Sahelian soils.

Agro-meteorological drought risk assessment in the groundnut basin of Senegal: the case of the municipalities of Djilor, Diossong, Keur Samba Gueye and Toubacouta

Agriculture drought is a recurrent phenomenon that affects most parts of Sahel regions. With the advent of various satellite data, drought risk assessment has become more accessible, but the challenge lies in choosing a well-defined time scale. This study aims to contribute to agricultural drought monitoring, based on the calculation of composite indices using the MODIS sensor in the Senegalese Groundnut basin. The approach is based upon vegetation condition and health (VCI, VHI) and temperature (TCI) indices. Subsequently, those indices were evaluated based upon crop yield data, and a Holt-Winter forecasting was performed to determine the driest month in 2020-2021. Here we show that all investigated communes are sensitive to drought, especially Keur-Samba Gueye (in July, September, and October). Based on its significant correlation with VCI and TCI (R2>0.57), VHI was proven to be a reliable water stress indicator. Our approach demonstrates the Groundnut basin's vulnerability to climate change.

Genomic footprints of selection in early-and late-flowering pearl millet landraces.

Pearl millet is among the top three-cereal production in one of the most climate vulnerable regions, sub-Saharan Africa. Its Sahelian origin makes it adapted to grow in poor sandy soils under low soil water regimes. Pearl millet is thus considered today as one of the most interesting crops to face the global warming. Flowering time, a trait highly correlated with latitude, is one of the key traits that could be modulated to face future global changes. West African pearl millet landraces, can be grouped into early- (EF) and late-flowering (LF) varieties, each flowering group playing a specific role in the functioning and resilience of Sahelian smallholders. The aim of this study was thus to detect genes linked to flowering but also linked to relevant traits within each flowering group. We thus investigated genomic and phenotypic diversity in 109 pearl millet landrace accessions, i.e., 66 early-flowering and 43 late-flowering, grown in the groundnut basin, the first area of rainfed agriculture in Senegal dominated by dry cereals (millet, maize, and sorghum) and legumes (groundnuts, cowpeas). We were able to confirm the role of PhyC gene in pearl millet flowering and identify several other genes that appear to be as much as important, such as FSR12 and HAC1. HAC1 and two other genes appear to be part of QTLs previously identified and deserve further investigation. At the same time, we were able to highlight a several genes and variants that could contribute to the improvement of pearl millet yield, especially since their impact was demonstrated across flowering cycles.

Physiology and adaptation strategy of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) to salinity

Salinization is a global environmental problem. It is particularly prevalent in Africa in areas with a low rainfall trend such as the Senegalese groundnut basin where 20% of the land is affected. It reduces global food production by more than 10%. In Senegal, sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) moderately tolerant to drought and salinity is increasingly cultivated. It is an alternative to fight poverty in rural areas and allows the revaluation of salty land. The objective of this work is to evaluate at the early stage of reproduction the effect of salinity on the chlorophyll and ion (Na+ and Cl−) contents of four African varieties of sesame. The experimental device consists of randomized blocks with two factors and three repetitions. The sesame variety factor consists of four modalities (AS09, AS14, AS15 and AS25). The salinity factor or abiotic stress (NaCl) includes three modalities (0 mM, 17 mM and 34 mM). The parameters evaluated are the contents of Na+ and Cl− ions and of chlorophylls (Chl a, Chl b and total Chl). The results showed that the contents of chlorophylls (Chl a, Chl b and Chl) and Cl− and Na+ ions of sesame leaves increased with NaCl at 44 days after sowing. The Cl− contents of sesame leaves are higher than those of Na+ in all treatments. Chlorophyll increased with sesame varieties and salinity. Variety AS15 produced the greatest amounts of chlorophyll. Sesame, an inclusive-type plant, compartmentalizes Cl− and Na+ ions at the leaf level in vacuoles. He developed a tissue tolerance to salinity.

Assessment of the Management and Performance of Farming and Cropping Systems in Senegalese Niayes and Groundnut Basin

Senegalese agriculture is characterized by low productivity and raises many societal concerns. These questions relate to meeting the food needs of its growing population and to the development and support of family farms and surroundings for exercising agricultural activity. To carry out effective agricultural and rural activities, it is important to know the specifics of agrarian regions by grasping the structural and functional dynamics of their agriculture. The objective of this study was to establish a framework for assessing its systems, based on overall performing. The methodology was based on multivariate and sustainability analyzes on a sample of 180 millet-based farmhouses in six collectives of Niayes and Groundnut basin. The results showed six clusters of farming types and five millet-cropping systems. By a significant association with the surroundings, biophysical and social settings of the ecosystem and technical-economic conditions of the farmhouses discriminated against 30.6% of practical decisions on millet cultivation routes. Agri-technical performances in terms of impacts, resilience, or self-regulation have shown that the progress made in terms of social well-being (workloads) and externalities on society (yields), of appropriate management agri-resources (regeneration of soil fertility), and their profitability (diversification and agricultural incomes) remains questionable.

Forage resources and animals’ feeding in southern groudnut bassin and eastern regions of Senegal

Rainfall disturbances, a consequence of the effects of climate change, aggravated by anthropogenic pressure on vegetation, are leading to the progressive disappearance of several adapted local plant species in the so-called "groundnut basin" and eastern Senegal. Also, the clearing of land for agriculture potentiates and amplifies this degradation. At this rate, the loss of most of the local plant, forage and forest resources will follow. As part of a multi-species census and collection of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, an inventory of available forage resources in the groundnut basin and eastern Senegal was made. This inventory was made by field observations triangulated with interview data. The results show that the methods and level of exploitation of natural forage resources and crop residues differ from one area to another. The natural rangeland, which still constitutes the essential part of domestic ruminants feed in these regions, is in continuous degradation. In fact, this rangeland in groundnut basin is not very diversified like southern area, with a low index of quality and volume of pastures. Crop residues are abundant but not very varied. They represent an interest for the breeders of this zone and their sale prices can sometimes exceed those of the harvested products. This is a snapshot of the situation, valid for a given time. This situation is dynamic and can change significantly from one moment to the next. Nevertheless, the results obtained will make it possible to conceive methods of conservation and production of the identified species; in order to identify the best methods of management and sustainable use.