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Context and aims: Freshly harvested seeds of temperate annual pasture legume species have physiological dormancy (PD), which delays the growth of the next generation and is thus an impediment to speed breeding. The aim of this study was to develop a method or methods of PD breaking that can achieve high germination (≥90%) within 5 days of picking freshly harvested seed. Methods: In a series of experiments, PD breaking methods by themselves and in combination were tested on burr medic (Medicago polymorpha). The most promising methods were then tested on other annual medic species (Medicago spp.), subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum), and alternative species from six genera. Key results: The successful PD breaking method involved drying pods overnight at 45°C, extracting and scarifying seed, placing seed on filter paper in a Petri dish along with non-dormant seed, imbibing seed with 4 μM benzylaminopurine, sealing the Petri dish, and incubating in the dark at 15°C. Highly dormant genotypes required the additional treatment of removing the testa. Conclusions: We have developed an effective way of breaking seed PD in the 11 pasture legumes species from the seven genera tested. The rapid breaking of seed PD will assist speed breeding of annual pasture legumes, making it less laborious and time-bound than currently used methods. Implications: The PD breaking methods are expected to assist basic science studies of annual pasture legume species and may be applicable to other species and genera. Freshly harvested seeds of temperate annual pasture legume species have physiological dormancy (PD), which delays the growth of the next generation and is thus an impediment to speed breeding. We report on the development of PD breaking methods that rapidly overcome PD of freshly harvested seed. The rapid breaking of PD assists the speed breeding of annual pasture legumes by making it less laborious and time-bound than previous methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (NanoCeO 2) and bentonite (Bent) based nanocomposite (CeO 2 -Bent) aqueous sensor drop casted on paper substrate has been used to detect food borne Aflatoxins (AFs) by Curcumin (Cur) functionalized redox reaction mediated colorimetric detection. Optical studies reveal that when chromophore-like Cur is first added to Nano CeO 2 /Bent, it creates a chelate complex that serves as a mediator for enhanced binding with AFs. Cur fictionalized CeO 2 -Bent in the presence of AFB 1 result in a rapid electronic π - π * transition and showed change in color of the dye from red (pH 9.54) to yellow (pH 7). The Hypochromic shift from ∼510 nm to ∼433 nm was plotted linearly at 433 nm for increased AFB 1 level in foods. The calculated LOD indicated values as 0.5 µg/Kg in corn, 2.4 µg/Kg in rice, 0.2 µg/Kg in peanut, 0.7 µg/Kg in almond, 7.8 µg/Kg in arhar and 9.2 µg/Kg in chana respectively. The results were validated with HPLC-FLD obtaining high accuracy and recovery. The sensor reagent further drop casted on paper showed a quick determination for presence of AFs. • A report of CeO 2 -Bent based paper fabricated sensor for food borne aflatoxins. • CeO 2 -Bent showed improved sensitovity in cereals, legumes and oilseeds. • In the presence of AFs hypochromic shift was from 510 nm to 433 nm. • The sensor results are validated by conventional HPLC-FLD technique. • The sensor can be an effective alternative to conventional methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been growing interest in the possible use of nutraceuticals to improve and optimize dyslipidemia control and therapy. Based on the data from available studies, nutraceuticals might help patients obtain theraputic lipid goals and reduce cardiovascular residual risk. Some nutraceuticals have essential lipidlowering properties confirmed in studies; some might also have possible positive effects on nonlipid cardiovascular risk factors and have been shown to improve early markers of vascular health such as endothelial function and pulse wave velocity. However, the clinical evidence supporting the use of a single lipid-lowering nutraceutical or a combination of them is largely variable and, for many of the nutraceuticals, the evidence is very limited and, therefore, often debatable. The purpose of this position paper is to provide consensus-based recommendations for the optimal use of lipid-lowering nutraceuticals to manage dyslipidemia in patients who are still not on statin therapy, patients who are on statin or combination therapy but have not achieved lipid goals, and patients with statin intolerance. This statement is intended for physicians and other healthcare professionals engaged in the diagnosis and management of patients with lipid disorders, especially in the primary care setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canavalia ensiformis is a Fabaceae used for soil conservation and control of weeds. The objective of this study was to identify gall wasps of C. ensiformis at Guerrero, Mexico. A survey was done in June 2022 in a crop of C. ensiformis planted to provide cover for Zea mays L. plots at Anahuac, San Marcos, Guerrero, México. Abnormal galls were found on several organs of the plants, especially the branches. Three branches from 10 plants were gathered, put into paper bags, labelled, and transported in polystyrene containers to Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agrícolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP) for rearing wasps. Adults were identified based on morphological characteristics. C. ensiformis was reported for the first time as an alternate host of wasps of the genus Eurytoma. Further studies of the genus and species identification using molecular techniques are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bruchins, mono and bis (3-hydroxypropanoate) esters of long chain α,ω-diols, are a recently discovered class of insect elicitors that stimulate cell division and neoplasm formation when applied to pods of peas and certain other legumes. Differential display analysis resulted in the identification of an mRNA whose level was increased by the application of Bruchin B to pea pods. The corresponding amplification product was cloned and sequenced and a full length cDNA sequence was obtained. This cDNA and the gene from which it was derived were assigned the name CYP93C18 based upon sequence similarities to the cytochrome P450 mono-oxygenase CYP93C subfamily, which contains isoflavone synthase genes from legumes. RNA gel blots and quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated that expression of CYP93C18 increased within 8 h of bruchin treatment to a maximum of 100–200-fold of the level in untreated pods, and then declined. The up-regulation of CYP93C18 was followed by an increase in the level of the isoflavone phytoalexin, pisatin. Pisatin was detectable in the bruchin-treated pods after 16 h and reached a maximum between 32 h and 64 h. This, the first report of induction of phytoalexin biosynthesis by an insect elicitor, suggests that Bruchin B not only stimulates neoplasm formation, but also activates other plant defence responses. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The smothering effect of four legume covers, Canavalia ensiformis, Lablab purpureus, Mucuna pruriens and Calopogonium caeruleum, on Pennisetum polystachion ssp. setosum, a troublesome weed in rubber plantations in southern Thailand, was evaluated. Growing legume covers with Pennisetum, M. pruriens, C. ensiformis and L. purpureus caused strong suppression of Pennisetum in this order. Pennisetum grew little under 10% relative light intensity (RLI), but almost normally under 40% RLI. The three legume species generally attained lower RLI than C. caeruleum. The high shading ability of these three species was thought to contribute to the suppression of Pennisetum growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental changes threaten agricultural production, food security, and health. Previous reviews suggest that environmental changes will substantially affect future yields of starchy dietary staples. To date, no comprehensive global analysis of the impacts of environmental change on (nonstaple) vegetables and legumes--important constituents of healthy diets--has been reported. We systematically searched for articles published between 1975 and 2016 on the effects of ambient temperature, tropospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), and ozone (O3) concentrations, water availability, and salinization on yields and nutritional quality of vegetables and legumes. We estimated mean effects of standardized environmental changes using observed exposure-response relationships and conducted meta-analyses where possible. We identified 174 relevant papers reporting 1,540 experiments. The mean (95% CI) reported yield changes for all vegetables and legumes combined were +22.0% (+11.6% to +32.5%) for a 250-ppm increase in CO2 concentration, -8.9% (-15.6% to -2.2%) for a 25% increase in O3 concentration,-34.7% (-44.6% to -24.9%) for a 50% reduction in water availability, and -2.3% (-3.7% to -0.9%) for a 25% increase in salinity. In papers with baseline temperatures >20 °C, a 4 °C increase in temperature reduced mean yields by -31.5% (-41.4% to -21.5%). Impacts of environmental changes on nutritional quality were mixed. In a business-as-usual scenario, predicted changes in environmental exposures would lead to reductions in yields of nonstaple vegetables and legumes. Where adaptation possibilities are limited, this may substantially change their global availability, affordability, and consumption in the mid to long term. Our results stress the importance of prioritizing agricultural developments, to minimize potential reductions in vegetable and legume yields and associated negative health effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical composition of Astragalus armatus contains quite a high amount of extractives in organic solvents (close to 13%), but a low percentage of lignin (around 17%) and an acceptable content of holocellulose (54%). The a-cellulose content is around 35%, and the ash content is around 3%. Using the insight of such data, the soda-anthraquinone cooking of Astragalus armatus produced lignocellulosic fibres. Different cooking temperatures (100, 120, 140, and 160°C) were tested and the delignification duration was 2 h. A yield of about 30% w/w was obtained, and the obtained pulps had a kappa number of 25. Finally, the isolated fibres were used to produce paper samples with a basis weight of 60 g/m² . The structural and mechanical properties of the prepared samples were close to those of other common annual plant-based fibre mats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Zarafshan River runs from the mountains of Tajikistan and terminates in the sands of the Kyzyl-Kum Desert in Uzbekistan; it served as a communication route and homeland for the Sogdians. The Sogdians are historically depicted as merchants existing from the end of the first millennium BC through the first millennium AD. While recent research has provided the first glimpse into cultivation, commerce, communication, and consumption in the Lower Zarafshan, the agricultural heartland of the Middle Zarafshan Basin has remained unstudied. This paper presents the results of archaeobotanical investigations conducted at five ancient urban sites/areas spanning the fifth to the twelfth centuries AD: Kainar (Penjikent citadel), Penjikent (shahristan), Sanjar-Shah, Kuk-Tosh (pre-Mongol Penjikent), and Afrasiab. Collectively, these data show that cereals, legumes, oil/fiber crops, fruits, and nuts were cultivated on the fertile Zarafshan floodplains. In this paper, we discuss evidence for the diversification of the agricultural assemblage over time, including the introduction of new staple crops and fruits into an already complex cultivation system. In addition, we contrast our data with previously published results from sites along the course of the Zarafshan to determine whether there is a dietary difference between pre-and post-Islamic conquest periods at settlements located along the river. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cynometra cebuensis F. Seid. is an endemic and threatened tree from the Philippines. The species was previously described to exclusively thrive in the Tabunan Forest of the Central Cebu Protected Landscape. Due to its narrow geographic distribution and threats from land conversion, slash-and-burn activities and non-regulated wood harvesting by locals, C. cebuensis was assessed as Critically Endangered (CR) under criteria B1a and B1b (as well as B2a and B2b) of the IUCN Red List in 2013. The present study provides new additional locations of C. cebuensis in the Municipalities of Argao and Minglanilla in Cebu along with population data and habitat characteristics for each site. Although new populations of C. cebuensis were discovered, it remains at significant risk of extinction in its natural habitat. Urgent and comprehensive conservation efforts are imperative to prevent its extinction. New information: This paper provides the updated distribution map of Cynometra cebuensis F. Seid, a critically endangered endemic species in the Philippines showing five (5) distribution records. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims - Following detailed phylogenetic and biogeographic studies of the tribe Psoraleeae, the genus Psoralea L. was shown to have been derived out of Otholobium C.H.Stirt. As Psoralea has nomenclatural priority, Otholobium has been subsumed into Psoralea, whereby two broad subgeneric groups are aligned with the previous descriptions of the separate genera, but some problems of placement of a few species remain unresolved. Work is ongoing to study and describe the nearly 20 undescribed species that will have to be considered before sectional groups can be established. In this paper we describe ten new species, including several putative taxa already recognized in regional floras, based on historic specimens and more recent field collections. Material and methods - Standard practices of herbarium and field taxonomy have been applied to study herbarium material available at B, BLFU, BM, BOL, BR, E, GRA, J, JRAU, K, KEI, L, LE, LINN, M, MO, NBG, NH, NU, NY, OXF, P, PRA, PRC, PRE, PRU, S, SAM, SCHG, SRGH, TCD, Z, ZT, and US. Additional material was provided from fieldwork by the authors and collaborators. Key results - Ten new species of Psoralea from southern Africa are described: Psoralea crista C.H.Stirt. & Muasya, P. fulva C.H.Stirt. & Muasya, P. luteovirens C.H.Stirt. & Muasya, P. nubicola C.H.Stirt. & Muasya, P. oreopola C.H.Stirt., P. pallescens C.H.Stirt. & Muasya, P. papillosa C.H.Stirt. & Muasya, P. prompta C.H.Stirt. & Muasya, P. schutteae C.H.Stirt. & Muasya, and P. vlokii C.H.Stirt. & Muasya. Conclusion - The newly described species, all restricted to South Africa, increases the number of Psoralea species to 129. These species arise from expanded fieldwork into previously under-collected areas, as well as from better refinement in species delimitations in the leafless 'aphylla' and pinnately-leaved species complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of fluoride (Fl) emission, from an aluminum (Al) reduction plant in Iran, on the concentration of Fl in six legume species were studied. In addition, the influence of Fl on leaf flavonoids was investigated. Determination of Fl in collected plants (Alhagi camelorum Fisch., Cercis siliquastrum L., Glycyrrhiza glabra L. Medicago sativa L., Robinia peseudoacacia L., and Sophora alopecuroides L.) from the factory area was performed using a Fl ion-selective electrode. Identification of flavonoids in the samples was obtained by two-dimensional paper chromatography (2-D PC) and thin layer chromatography (TLC). Controls were obtained from plants located 10 km distance from the factory. Results showed high Fl concentration in all polluted samples. Phytochemical changes in polluted leaves were observed with appearance or disappearance of some flavonoids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]