Fonio is one of the smallest-seeded grains grown for food, and like most small grains it's self-pollinating with very low crossing risk -- the main challenge is harvest timing, since the tiny seed shatters and scatters easily once fully ripe.
New to terms like isolation distance or outcrossing? See the Seed-Saving Glossary.
Seed-Saving Difficulty
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Safe to Save
Very low crossing risk.
How It's Pollinated
Self-pollinating
(Very low crossing risk)
Scientific name: Digitaria exilis
Domestic Crops It Can Cross With
- Minimal crossing between fonio varieties
Wild Relatives & Feral Species
- No significant wild relatives in most home garden regions
Separation Distances Required
Minimum: 3-5m between varieties
Recommended: Not usually needed beyond this
Strict: Not usually needed
Seed-Saving Strategies
- Allow the fine seed heads to fully mature and dry
- Harvest carefully -- the tiny grains shatter easily once ripe
- Thresh and winnow -- seed is very small and light
- Store dry -- viable 2-3 years