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The objective of this experiment was to determine drought tolerance exhibited by lentil lines developed by the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) in an artificial environment, and to investigate the relationships between traits with various methods. This experiment examined 15 traits of 21 lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) accessions grown under artificial drought stress created with polyethylene glycol (PEG)-6000 (0%, 10%, 15% and 20%) concentrations during germination and early seedling stages. Germination characteristics, seedling developmental properties and root system architecture traits were investigated to observed the impacts of drought stress. The originality lies in enabling the identification of drought-tolerant and sensitive genotypes through a brief and practical research method, while shedding light on the key traits by principal component analysis. The first two PCs explained 22.9% and 31.7% (total 54.6%) under optimal conditions while they described 14% and 58.3% (total 72.3%) under PEG-induced drought conditions, respectively. Variation in PC1 was mostly contributed by positive coefficients of germination index, uniformity of germination and germination energy, and negative coefficients of mean germination time. Variation in PC2 was mostly contributed by positive coefficients of seedling vigor index, root fresh weight and root dry weight. 'Tigris', G3664 and G3840 exhibited higher performance in terms of germination characteristics, while G3710, G3829 and G3840 produced higher DM accumulation, total biomass and lateral roots. Overall, PC-biplot denoted that selection based on germination index and seedling vigor index at germination and seedling stages would improve drought tolerance. In conclusion, genotypes G3840 and G3664 were identified as droughttolerant, whereas genotypes G35, G3659, G3759, G3837, and G3844 were classified as drought-sensitive. In addition, G3664, G3840 and G3710 exhibited the highest stress tolerance index (STI) under artificial drought conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lentils, which are scientifically known as Lens culinaris Medik., are an important component of traditional diets and belong to the Fabaceae family. The germination of lentil seeds was investigated during the experiment using the halo thermal time model. The study consisted of five constant cardinal temperatures: 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35°C, and various water potentials ranging from 0 to –1 MPa. The study concluded that the seeds had the highest moisture content (–0.75 MPa) and germination rate at a temperature of 30°C, while the lowest germination rate was recorded at 15°C. The germination rate was highest at temperatures above 30°C. The GP, GRI, GI, CVG, GE, Seed Vigor Index II and I, as well as the RSR (root shoot ratio), were at their maximum when exposed to –0.75 MPa at 30°C. Meanwhile, the lowest values were recorded at 0 MPa and 15°C. The halo thermal time model effectively forecasted the germination period of lentils when exposed to NaCl. Lentils being salt tolerant plants are well suited for growth in dry and semi-dry areas, owing to their remarkable resilience to saline conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, lentil (Lens culinaris) was chosen as the target plant to study the effects of Lathyrus sativus L., which grows as a weed in fields. This weed affects the growth and productivity of plants growing nearby. The effects of different concentrations of L. sativus root extract on shoot and root length of L. esculenta were assessed at five and fifteen days after germination. The data showed that the shoot and root lengths of the test plants decreased significantly. Biomass accumulation of the germinated seedling also followed the same pattern and decreased with increasing extract concentration. The methanolic and ethanolic extracts of L. sativus were prepared and tested on the same plant. The maximum growth inhibition was observed in the methanolic extract. LCMS/MS analysis of the methanolic extract revealed growth inhibitory phenolics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To deal with increasing salinization, plants show an array of responses such as root system architecture remodelling, thereby enhancing stress tolerance. Although various chemical, molecular and genetic techniques such that generally expensive and difficult applications are used to enhance stress tolerance, out of them, seed priming with suitable substrates is an easy-applicable and cost-effective treatment. The experiment aimed to evaluate the effects of salicylic acid (SA), silicon (Si), and sodium chloride (NaCl) priming on lentil seed germination parameters, seedling development, and root system architecture. In 2022, the experiment was carried out in the Field Crops Department laboratory at Siirt University in Turkey. Petri and pot investigations were part of the two stages of the experiment. Three concentrations of NaCl and priming treatments were utilized. Germination characteristics were impeded by rising saline levels. But seed priming, which boosted uniformity of germination by 50% as compared to unprimed seeds under saline stress, enhanced germination characteristics. A pot experiment revealed that the dry matter accumulation in roots was reduced by 24.6% due to salt stress. Si priming increased number of lateral roots by 32.6% compared to control seeds, whereas salt stress lowered it by 22.8%. The total length of lateral roots (TLLR) and mean length of lateral roots (MLLR) were inhibited by salinity stress by 75% and 63, respectively. Total root area was reduced by salinity stress by almost 70%, although seed priming increased it by as much as 29.3%. The SA and Si priming treatments improved germination stage and induced seedling growth by reducing salinity stress via more effective shoot development and root system architecture. In conclusion, seed priming with SA and Si is an affordable and sustainable method for reducing salt stress in lentil farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advances in innovative agricultural technology could allow to satisfice the production of fresh foods. The use of light emitting diodes (LEDs) indoor farming production could, modify biological responses increasing the functional value of vegetable food like lentil sprouts, offering higher antioxidants content and to promote the bioavailability of their nutrients. Lentil growth under blue, violet, green, orange and red light in a dark growing chamber. As internal and external controls, seeds were germinated under white and natural (outdoor) light. Morphological, physiological and biochemical variables were evaluated. Green light enlarged the sprouts stem, reduced the biomass and the concentration of chlorophyll. Violet and white lights increased the protein concentration. Blue wavelength increased the seeds germination, concentration of β-carotenes, phenolic compounds and the antioxidant activity. The experimental evidence suggest blue LED light could be useful to produce functional lentil sprouts with a high nutritional value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant growth promoting bacterias (PGPBs) can be described as bacterial strains increasing water and nutrient uptake, gaining nitrogen and phosphorus to plants by biological nitrogen fixation and phosphate mineralization and promoting plant growth. Besides, PGPB increase stress tolerance due to mechanisms as secretion of various phytohormones, vitamins and growth regulators, restriction of ethylene synthesis with ACC deaminase activity, decreasing of pathogen damage by the secret of antibiotic and fungicidal compounds. This study was carried out in laboratory of Field Crops Department in Siirt University under controlled conditions. The two original PGPB strains (KF3B and KF63C) and five different priming times (control, 1, 2, 4 and 6 hours) were applied on the Fırat- 87 lentil variety. The study was laid out in a completely randomized design with three replications. It was aimed with this study that investigating effects based on bacterial biodiversity and priming time on germination characteristics and seedling growth in lentils. According to results, biodiversity-induced differences were observed in germination percentage, seedling fresh weight, seedling dry weight, seedling length and seedling vigor index while priming time significantly affected all investigated parameters except for germination percentage. However, the interaction of strains and priming times did not lead to any significant differences on traits except for seedling dry weight. In conclusion, microbial diversity and priming time have a critical role on successful of the priming technique. Optimum priming time for lentils was determined as four hours. Besides, the strain of KF63C had a noteworthy stimulative effect on especially seedling growth in the experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light is considered as an environmental signal that controls plants growth and development. Sufficient duration, quality and wavelength are mainly responsible for switching on/off many physiological processes. The aim of this study was to examine the role of gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) shunt pathway specific response in wheat (Triticum aestivum) and lentil (Lens culinaris) seedlings to blue LED laser (intensity= 1.48 W/cm2) and high intensity invisible ultraviolet light (intensity= 3.99 W/cm2) treatments separately, with respect to: seed germination, seedling growth, oxidative damage in term of reactive oxygen substances accumulation, GABA accumulation level, total proteins and total carbohydrates level and glutamate decarboxylase gene (GAD) expression. Data showed a remarkable changes in proteins content, carbohydrates content, chlorophyll level, dry and fresh weight, GABA accumulation, MDA level, and GAD m-RNA level under blue LED laser and high intensity invisible ultraviolet light treatments; separately in the both wheat and lentil cultivars. There were no significant differences of root emergence in all cultivars under all treatments. The concentrations of MDA increased in all cultivars under blue LED laser and high intensity invisible ultraviolet light treatments with increasing exposure durations. GABA levels increased and correlated significantly in all cultivars as the exposure duration of blue LED laser and high light intensity increased. Significant decrease in chlorophyll a and b contents in Um Qayes, Jordan1 and Jordan2 cultivars under all laser and high intensity invisible ultraviolet light treatments. A significant difference was found in proteins content in all cultivars in response to laser and high intensity invisible ultraviolet light treatments. Carbohydrates content in all cultivars used in this study were significantly decreased under laser treatments. The transcription level of GAD increased significantly under blue LED laser and high intensity invisible ultraviolet light in all cultivars used in this study. GAD expression was high in Hurani75 cultivar in agreement with the low level of GABA accumulation under high intensity invisible ultraviolet light at 60 min which strongly suggested that GABA was catabolized to enter another pathways (C:N balance) that was confirmed by increase in higher level of carbohydrates and proteins beside reduction in MDA content at the same exposure duration. On other hand, GAD expression in Jordan 2 was lower in response to laser treatment under the same exposure duration. The high increase of GAD gene expression explains the high accumulation of GABA level under both treatments. Results indicated that GABA shunt is a key metabolic pathway that allows wheat and lentil to adapt blue LED laser and high intensity invisible ultraviolet light stressful treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of thymoquinone on seeds germination and young seedlings of lentils under cadmium (Cd) stress (300 µM). Three different concentrations (10 µM, 1 µM, and 0.1 µM) of thymoquinone were applied. Our results indicated that thymoquinone has a positive effect on several physiological and biochemical parameters on seeds germination and young seedlings of lentils under Cd stress, which led to enhancing their growth. A significant increase in shoot and root length, fresh and dry weight, and chlorophyll content was observed in the treated plants compared to the control plants. However, the thymoquinone treatment significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) contents compared to untreated roots and seedlings under Cd-stress. Nevertheless, our results show that the thymoquinone significantly improved the activities of enzymes involved in antioxidant response, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX). We have also studied the activities of isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH) and malate dehydrogenase (MDH); ICDH was increased significantly in roots and seedlings in the presence of different doses of thymoquinone. However, the activity MDH was increased only in roots. Our results suggest that the application of thymoquinone could mitigate cadmium induced oxidative stress.

Seed priming is one of the potential physiological approaches to enhance seed germination under salt stress. The present study examined the role of two seed priming molecules, salicylic acid (SA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), to enhance the salt tolerance in lentil seeds at germination stage. Salt stress caused significant decrease in germination percentage and primary root elongation. This decrease was associated with significant increase in lipid peroxidation and total lipid (TL) contents in embryonic axis. The catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxydase (GPOX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities remained unchanged or decreased significantly under the influence of salt stress, in both embryonic axis and cotyledons. Starch mobilization was not affected by salt stress. The two priming treatments effectively alleviated the negative effects of salt stress. SA and H2O2 applications after dose optimization resulted in significant enhancement of germination percentage and primary root elongation. No significant changes in starch, soluble sugars contents and SOD activity were detected following SA and H2O2 treatments. Seed priming treatments triggered the activities of GPOX and CAT and caused the reduction of lipid peroxidation especially in embryonic axis. TL content and especially the fatty acid C18:3 increased after SA applications. The better performance under salt stress of primed lentil seeds was associated with lower lipid peroxidation, and activation of enzymatic antioxidative defense system. Obtained results confirm the potential for using SA and H2O2 to improve germination and plant growth under salt stress conditions.

Seed priming is one of the potential physiological approaches to enhance the seed germination under the salinity stress. The present study examined the role of two seed priming molecules: salicylic acid (SA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), in enhancing the salt tolerance of lentil seeds at germination stage. Salinity stress caused significant decrease in germination percentage and primary root elongation. This decrease was associated with significant increase in lipid peroxidation and total lipid (TL) contents in embryonic axis. The catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxydase (GPOX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities remained unchanged or decreased significantly under the influence of salt stress, in both embryonic axis and cotyledons. Starch mobilization was not affected by the salt stress. The two priming treatments effectively alleviated the negative effects of salinity stress. SA and H2O2 applications after dose optimization resulted in a significant enhancement of germination percentage and primary root elongation. No significant changes in starch, soluble sugars contents and SOD activity were detected following SA and H2O2 treatments. Seed priming treatments triggered the activities of GPOX and CAT and caused the reduction in lipid peroxidation, especially in embryonic axis. TL content and especially the fatty acid C18:3 increased after SA applications. Better performance under salt stress of primed lentil seeds was associated with lower lipid peroxidation, and activation of enzymatic antioxidative defense system. Obtained results confirm the potential for using SA and H2O2 to improve germination and plant growth under salt stress conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sprouts and microgreens are a rich source of various bioactive compounds. Seeds of lentil, fenugreek, alfalfa, and daikon radish seeds were germinated and the contents of the polyamines agmatine (AGM), putrescine (PUT), cadaverine (CAD), spermidine (SPD), and spermine (SPM) in ungerminated seeds, sprouts, and microgreens were determined. In general, sprouting led to the accumulation of the total polyamine content. The highest levels of AGM (5392 mg/kg) were found in alfalfa microgreens, PUT (1079 mg/kg) and CAD (3563 mg/kg) in fenugreek sprouts, SPD (579 mg/kg) in lentil microgreens, and SPM (922 mg/kg) in fenugreek microgreens. A large increase in CAD content was observed in all three legume sprouts. Conversely, the nutritionally beneficial polyamines AGM, SPD, and SPM were accumulated in microgreens, while their contents of CAD were significantly lower. In contrast, daikon radish sprouts exhibited a nutritionally better profile of polyamines than the microgreens. Freezing and thawing of legume sprouts resulted in significant degradation of CAD, PUT, and AGM by endogenous diamine oxidases. The enzymatic potential of fenugreek sprouts can be used to degrade exogenous PUT, CAD, and tyramine at pH values above 5.

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The investigation of the effect of laser light for plant stimulation is quickly growing during the last decade. The laser light has a high degree of spatial and temporal coherence and it is monochromatic. The bactericidal effect of UV light is also known. The influence of green laser light on the germination of seeds of lentil cv Naslada (Lens culinaris) was investigated. The germination of 6 experimental variants of lentil seeds was investigated, having respectively duration of exposure of 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 seconds, and a control variant - without illumination. One week after treatment the following plant growth characteristics were evaluated: the length of the shoot and the length of the root of the seedlings. Statistically significant differences were reported between the variants with 3 and 15 seconds laser exposure and the control for both of the studied traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chalky spot syndrome is a serious seedquality problem in red lentil in the southeast Anatolia of Turkey. This research was carried out to determine the chalky spot rate and its effect on the seed germination in twenty lentil genotypes. Germination tests as three groups performed; (i) seeds from damaged location were cleaned, and two groups were divided as damaged and non-damaged, (ii) all seeds from damaged location, and (iii) seeds from nondamaged location. Chalky spot rate among genotypes ranged from 11.0 to 42.92%. Mean of germination speed in damaged seeds was 46.88%, and ranged from 20 to 66% in damaged seeds. Mean of germination speed in non-damaged seeds was 84.5%. Chalky spotted seed rate strongly reduced germination rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Variation in response to climatic and edaphic factors has resulted in the geographic differentiation and specific adaptation of lentil germplasm to its environment. The germination of lentil seeds can be affected by waterlogging caused by relay sowing into standing rice crops. Consequently, there is a demand for waterlogging-adapted lentil genotypes, particularly at germination. This experimentation investigated the effects of waterlogging at germination on a germplasm collection. Firstly, two contrasting genotypes, ATC 70876 and Nugget, were waterlogged for six durations (0, 3, 6, 9, 14 and 21 days) in a pot soil system in the glasshouse. Six days of waterlogging was the duration for germination where genotypes showed the largest contrast in germination rate; therefore, this duration was applied to a larger number (127) of genotypes from 11 countries in a screening trial. Finally, all 127 genotypes were grown in pots in the open to phenotype morphological traits (seed size, above-ground biomass, time to flower and maturity). There was significant variation among genotypes, and those originating from Bangladesh had the highest germination at 21.2 %. The heritability of germination on waterlogged soil among genotypes was intermediate at H = 44.8 %. Correlations between morphological and physiological traits showed that the capability of seeds to germinate on waterlogged soil was negatively correlated to time to maturity (r = −0.643). It was concluded that genotypes from Bangladesh are adapted to waterlogging at germination. With an intermediate heritability for germination under waterlogging conditions, selection for relay sowing through waterlogging tolerance at germination is practicable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The comparative allelopathic potential of Fumaria indica L. and Polygonum plebejum L. leaf, stem, root, fruit and whole plant aqueous extracts was evaluated on germination and seedling growth of Triticum aestivum L., Cicer arietinum L., Lens culinaris Medic. and Brasica napus L. in laboratory condition. Germination and seedling growth of T. aestivum, C. arietinum, L. culinaris was significantly reduced by the leaf extract of F. indica and P. plebejum. But germination and seedling growth of Brasica napus was completely inhibited by the leaf extract of F. indica. The degree of sensitvity of different crops in respect of germination was canola > chickpea > lentil > wheat. The degree of germination inhibition of different F. indica and P. plebejum plant parts can be classified in order of leaf extract > root extract > fruit extract > stem and whole plant extract in wheat; leaf extract > root extract and stem extract > fruit extract and whole plant extract in chickpea; leaf extract > root extract > stem extract > fruit and whole plant extract in lentil and leaf extract > root extract and stem extract > fruit extract and whole plant extract in canola. Inhibitorier effect was observed with F. indica than P. plebejum. It was due to more phenolics in F. indica leaves (13091.12 mg kg-1) as compared to those of P. plebejum (8131.49 mg kg-1). Chromatographic analysis reveled presence of six phytotoxins, viz., ferulic acid, m-coumaric, syringic acid, caffeic acid, gallic acid and 4-Hydroxy-3-Methoxybenzoic acid in aqueous leaf (1:10) fraction of F. indica. Ferulic acid, syringic acid, caffeic acid and vanillic acid were recorded in aqueous leaf extract of P. plebejum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mammalian sex hormones spread in the environment from both natural and anthropogenic origin. In the present study, we found that treatment with β-estradiol (E) could improve embryo growth and alleviate unsuitable availability of nutrients imposed by cadmium and copper toxicity during germination of lentil ( Lens culinaris Medik.) seeds. The length of embryonic axes decreased in the presence of 100 μM CdCl or 200 μM CuCl. Addition of 10 M E in the germination media could greatly reverse the inhibitory effect of heavy-metal (HM) stress on post-germination events. The cotyledons of E-treated seeds also tended to (1) retain higher protease and amylase activities, (2) breakdown more storage compounds (albumin, globulin, and starch), and (3) have higher contents of free amino acids and glucose than controls without added E (Cd or Cu applied individually). Further investigations showed that exposure to HM dramatically provoked the solute leakage in imbibition medium, whereas the combination of HM with E significantly reduced the loss of nutrients. Moreover, the seed Cd and Cu contents were not significantly different between the cotreatment of Cd or Cu with E and no treatment, meaning that E was not responsible for preventing HM accumulation in seed tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The comparative allelopathic potential of Fumaria indica L. and Polygonum plebejum L. leaf, stem, root, fruit and whole plant aqueous extracts was evaluated on germination and seedling growth of Triticum aestivum L., Cicer arietinum L., Lens culinaris Medic. and Brasica napus L. in laboratory condition. Germination and seedling growth of T. aestivum, C. arietinum, L. culinaris was significantly reduced by the leaf extract of F. indica and P. plebejum. But germination and seedling growth of Brasica napus was completely inhibited by the leaf extract of F. indica. The degree of sensitvity of different crops in respect of germination was canola > chickpea > lentil > wheat. The degree of germination inhibition of different F. indica and P. plebejum plant parts can be classified in order of leaf extract > root extract > fruit extract > stem and whole plant extract in wheat; leaf extract > root extract and stem extract > fruit extract and whole plant extract in chickpea; leaf extract > root extract > stem extract > fruit and whole plant extract in lentil and leaf extract > root extract and stem extract > fruit extract and whole plant extract in canola. Inhibitorier effect was observed with F. indica than P. plebejum. It was due to more phenolics in F. indica leaves (13091.12 mg kg-1) as compared to those of P. plebejum (8131.49 mg kg-1). Chromatographic analysis reveled presence of six phytotoxins, viz., ferulic acid, m-coumaric, syringic acid, caffeic acid, gallic acid and 4-Hydroxy-3-Methoxybenzoic acid in aqueous leaf (1:10) fraction of F. indica. Ferulic acid, syringic acid, caffeic acid and vanillic acid were recorded in aqueous leaf extract of P. plebejum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six varieties of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) - Asha, Subrata, IPL 406, IPL 81, Lv and Sehore - were exposed to temperatures ranging from 30-50°C which resulted in retarded germination and seedling growth at higher temperatures. Tolerance index and membrane stability tests revealed Sehore and Lv to be susceptible to elevated temperatures while IPL 406, IPL 81, Asha and Subrata were tolerant. Catalase, ascorbate peroxidase and superoxide dismutase showed an initial increase before declining at 50°C, while peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities declined at all temperatures. Lipid peroxidation significantly increased in all varieties. In the tolerant varieties, there was an initial decrease in accumulation of H2O2 followed by an increase from 40°C onwards; however, in the susceptible varieties, accumulation was enhanced at all high temperatures. Ascorbate and glutathione also showed initial increase followed by a decline. Total antioxidant activity was at a maximum at 35-40°C in the tolerant varieties and at 30°C in the susceptible ones. Oxidative stress induced by high temperature was ameliorated by treatment with salicylic acid, abscisic acid or CaCl2, of which salicylic acid was the most effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little information exists on electrical conductivity of leachate from individual seeds to predict the quality of the seed sample with minimum time in lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus). Seed lots of three promising lentil lines harvested and stored under ambient conditions for 3 yr were aged at 40 ± 0.5°C and approximately 100% RH for 3 or 5 days, followed by soaking in deionized water for 3 or 5 h at 20°C before testing the electrolytes released using a G-2000 Single-Seed Analyzer. High mean values of electrical conductivity were detected at zero time and after 5 d of aging when soaked for 3 h. Electrolyte leakage was greater in seeds with low (7.8%) moisture than in seeds with high moisture and sharply increased with aging. The distribution of conductivity readings from individual seeds in all lines showed that low quality seeds tended to have higher conductivity values as aging increased. Because of the significant correlation between predicted and actual standard germination (r = 0.92), the conductivity reading of 180 μS/cm was regarded as an acceptable partition between high- and low-quality seeds, despite the difficulties in identifying an absolute boundary. Our conclusion is that a single-seed analyzer can be used to accurately predict the field potential of lentil seed lots and provide valuable seed quality information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological and in vitro germination characteristics of pollen altogether with pistil and style length were analysed, so as to carry out a morphological comparison between different lentil ( Lens culinaris Medik.) cultivars and wild species, as well as to correlate the morphological and functional statistics with data regarding crossing success. Pollen length and width in the different genotypes were found to have a positive and highly significant correlation with pistil and style length and in vitro pollen tube length. A cluster analysis detected two different plant groups, namely, (i) large-seeded L. culinaris (macrosperma), and (ii) a second group formed by two subgroups, a first subgroup with L. ervoides standing alone and a second subgroup including small-seeded L. culinaris (microsperma) and the wild L. culinaris ssp. orientalis, L. odemensis, L. nigricans. A high and significant correlation was detected between crossing success and phenotypic similarity ( r > 0.98; P < 0.05), therefore implying that phenotypic similarity, based on pollen morphology and in vitro pollen length together with pistil and style length, is a good predictor of hybridization success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For accurate lentil (Lens culinaris) rust phenotyping in controlled environments, conditions for infection should be optimized. Therefore, the effects of temperature on germination and germ tube growth ofUromyces viciae-fabae, as well as the effect of different dew periods, were quantified. In all experiments urediniospores of a single-pustule isolate were applied using a previously calibrated settling tower. After 3 h of incubation, a high percentage (≥80%) of spore germination was observed on 1.5% water agar at 10, 15, 20 and 25°C, with an optimum (99%) at 20°C. At this sampling time the length of germ tubes ranged from 66 μm (10°C) to 196 μm (20°C). Growth of germ tubes increased progressively from 10 to 20°C and then declined at 25°C. For minimum infection of lentil cultivar EL-142 at 20°C, a dew period of at least 3 h was required, whereas maximum infection occurred with a dew period of 24 h. Infection efficiency increased linearly as the duration of dew period increased from 0 to 24 h. Regression models that best described the quantitative relationship between the environmental variables and growth of the pathogen and development of rust were derived empirically. Such models are of significance in optimizing studies of the particular pathosystem as well as eventual lentil rust prediction models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seeds of beans, lentils and peas were germinated for 2, 4 and 6 days, either under continuous light or continuous dark, and the free amino acids analysed by HPLC. The effects of germination on the free protein amino acids (FPA) and non-protein amino acids (FNPA) depended on the type of legumes and on the processing conditions. After germination of beans, histidine, glutamate, glycine, arginine, tyrosine and tryptophan contents decreased while, in lentils and peas, FPA increased after germination. Light germination gave the highest amounts of FPA in beans and lentils, but the lowest in peas. The FNPA changed markedly with germination. In beans, germination produced a reduction of α-amino adipic acid and an increase of GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid). All FNPA increased in lentils and peas. Light germination resulted in the highest α-amino adipic acid contents in beans, and the highest value of taurine in lentils. The highest FNPA content was found in peas after dark germination. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Following 16, 40 and 64 h exposure to 0.33 M NaCl given after 8 h water imbibition, lentil seeds showed a gradual decrease of germination upon their transfer to water. These salt related changes were accompanied by modifications in the protein patterns of embryo axes as revealed by two-dimensional electrophoresis separation and by the computer image analysis of protein spots. In comparison with 8 h water imbibed seeds, prominent proteins comprised between the 5.1 – 7.6 pH isoelectric point in the first dimension and 75 – 50 kDa molecular mass in the second dimension showed a significant increase in their abundance as salt exposure increased. On transfer to water to complete germination, the content of many of these proteins decreased at 24h in 2 – 3 cm length embryo axes in comparison with the corresponding embryo axes of seeds continuously imbibed in water for 24 h. Some groups of proteins ranging between 15.5 – 17.3 kDa, already present after 8 h water imbibition, were not detectable after 24 h but were expressed in seeds exposed to NaCl and transferred to water for 24 h. Up- and down-regulated proteins in lentil embryo axes, imbibed under non-lethal salt stress conditions, have been tentatively identified by comparison with the protein map of germinating seeds of the model plant Arabidopsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sprouts and microgreens are a rich source of various bioactive compounds. Seeds of lentil, fenugreek, alfalfa, and daikon radish seeds were germinated and the contents of the polyamines agmatine (AGM), putrescine (PUT), cadaverine (CAD), spermidine (SPD), and spermine (SPM) in ungerminated seeds, sprouts, and microgreens were determined. In general, sprouting led to the accumulation of the total polyamine content. The highest levels of AGM (5392 mg/kg) were found in alfalfa microgreens, PUT (1079 mg/kg) and CAD (3563 mg/kg) in fenugreek sprouts, SPD (579 mg/kg) in lentil microgreens, and SPM (922 mg/kg) in fenugreek microgreens. A large increase in CAD content was observed in all three legume sprouts. Conversely, the nutritionally beneficial polyamines AGM, SPD, and SPM were accumulated in microgreens, while their contents of CAD were significantly lower. In contrast, daikon radish sprouts exhibited a nutritionally better profile of polyamines than the microgreens. Freezing and thawing of legume sprouts resulted in significant degradation of CAD, PUT, and AGM by endogenous diamine oxidases. The enzymatic potential of fenugreek sprouts can be used to degrade exogenous PUT, CAD, and tyramine at pH values above 5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]