Famer knowledge, management practices, and seed morphological diversity of sword bean [Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) DC] in Côte d’Ivoire

The cultivation of sword bean [Canavalia gladiata (Jacq.) DC] for edible seed production has declined in Côte d’Ivoire, posing a threat to the long-term viability of the species. This study documents the socio-demographic profile of sword bean producers and describes local production systems, seed-acquisition practices and uses of the species. It also characterizes seed-level morphological variability among sword bean morphotypes based on qualitative traits. An ethnobotanical survey, conducted using a participatory research approach across 191 locations, was followed by seed collection from the interviewed farmers. Morphological characterization was performed using 11 qualitative seed traits. A total of 175 farmers participated in the study, of whom 86% were women and 14% men. Seeds were obtained from the previous harvest (46.03%), seeds passed down through generations within the family (26.85%), unrelated farmers (13.97%), and local markets (13.15%). The crop was mainly cultivated in association with major food or cash crops (83.5%), while a smaller proportion (16.5%) was grown near palisades, shade trees, or walls, and ruins. In total, 118 accessions were collected and grouped into 11 morphotypes based on seed-coat colour and seed size, revealing substantial morphological diversity within the collection. The stability and contrast of several qualitative seed traits among morphotypes suggest the presence of heritable variation potentially maintained through farmer seed systems and traditional selection practices. These findings highlight the role of farmer seed systems and on-farm management in maintaining the morphological diversity of sword bean genetic resources, provide a basis for their conservation and sustainable valorisation in Côte d’Ivoire.