Underground Explorers

Market gardening is a priority sector that supports youth employment and food security in Benin, yet it suffers from severe soil degradation due to intensive chemical fertilizer use. While previous studies have assessed the contribution of AMF to crop sustainability in Benin, data on AMF diversity in saline coastal croplands remain largely unknown. This project will generate high‑quality DNA sequences to assess the variation of AMF networks in these croplands, test the impacts of salinity and traditional land‑management practices on AMF diversity, and identify sustainable farming approaches that conserve soil biodiversity. The outcomes will enrich international databases, provide policymakers with evidence to combat soil degradation, and produce a catalog of AMFs as the scientific basis for developing inoculants that enhance crop productivity. Ultimately, the project will strengthen soil biodiversity conservation in Benin and other Gulf of Guinea countries with similar coastal climates.