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The off-target effects of herbicides present significant challenges in agricultural practices, posing serious threats to both ecological systems and human health. Dicamba, one of the most widely used herbicides, is particularly problematic due to its high volatility and water solubility, which can lead to rapid environmental dispersal, non-target toxicity, and groundwater contamination. To mitigate these issues, we synthesized a novel cocrystal of dicamba and phenazine (DCB-PHE cocrystal) through a combination of theoretical prediction and mechanochemical screening. The DCB-PHE cocrystal was characterized using single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and thermal analysis. Compared to pure dicamba, the DCB-PHE cocrystal exhibited a substantial reduction in volatility by 59 % and a decrease in equilibrium solubility by up to 5.4 times across various temperatures (15 °C, 25 °C, 35 °C). Additionally, the dissolution rates were significantly lowered by over 94 %. Leaching experiments demonstrated that the DCB-PHE cocrystal reduced total leachate by 4.9 % and delayed percolation. In greenhouse trials, the DCB-PHE cocrystal caused less damage to exposed soy plants and enhanced herbicidal activity against target weeds, with fresh weight reduction of chicory and ryegrass by 32 % and 28 %, respectively, at the highest dosage. Furthermore, safety assays confirmed that the DCB-PHE cocrystal's safety profile was comparable to that of dicamba in terms of its impact on wheat, and it did not exhibit increased genotoxicity to broad beans. These findings suggest that the DCB-PHE cocrystal is a promising candidate for reducing the environmental impacts of dicamba while maintaining its herbicidal efficacy. The DCB-PHE cocrystal, prepared via supramolecular self-assembly, reduces drift, slows release, and decreases leaching rates into groundwater, contributing significantly to the development green and efficient agriculture. [Display omitted] • DCB-PHE cocrystal is prepared via mechanochemical and solution methods. • DCB-PHE cocrystal reduces the volatility of dicamba, minimizing soybean leaf damage. • DCB-PHE cocrystal significantly decreases solubility and dissolution rates at various temperatures. • DCB-PHE cocrystal lowers the leaching rate of dicamba into groundwater. • DCB-PHE cocrystal enhances herbicidal activity without increasing non-target toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The effect of fava bean protein isolate (FPI) at varied concentrations (1%–4%, w/w) on gelation of sardine surimi was evaluated. Breaking force, gel strength, textural profile, and water holding capacity were improved with the addition of FPI (P < 0.05). However, deformation and whiteness of gel samples decreased slightly when higher levels (3%–4%) of FPI were used (P < 0.05). The improved gel properties were supported by enhanced rheological properties (G′ and G″) of gels containing FPI. Microstructure also revealed the formation of gel network with higher connectivity in samples containing 3%–4% FPI. No major changes in the myofibrillar proteins in surimi gel were observed as determined by FTIR spectra and protein patterns. Higher scores for texture and overall likeness were obtained for surimi gel containing 3%–4% FPI. Therefore, FPI is a promising plant‐based ingredient that can effectively improve the gel properties of low‐grade sardine surimi without causing beany flavour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research on carbon materials and plants primarily focuses on their use in soil, showing variable effects. However, significant gaps exist regarding their impact under stress conditions (such as drought, salinity, etc.) and their interactions with plant physiological processes. Long-term effects on plant health and ecosystems are understudied, as are their interactions with other biofertilizers like algae extracts and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of seaweed extracts and PGPR on plant growth and some physio-biochemical properties of soft wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and faba bean (Vicia faba L.). Two concentrations of aqueous extract from two seaweeds, Fucus spiralis (F) and Ulva rigida (U), and the PGPR bacillus strain solution S48 (S48S) were used either individually or in combination. All treatments were applied as foliar sprays. The findings showed that the combined application of Fucus spiralis extract [25%] (F), Ulva rigida extract [50%] (U), along with the PGPR S48 bacillus strain solution (S48S) promoted plant growth (50.93 cm for faba bean) and root development (17.90 cm for wheat). This treatment also resulted in increased chlorophyll content (3.25 mg/g Fresh Weight (FW) in soft wheat and 3.93 mg/g FW in faba bean), proteins (14.66 µg/mg FW in soft wheat and 23.79 µg/mg FW in faba bean), amino acids (0.46 mg/g FW in soft wheat and 0.56 mg/g FW in faba bean), and total carbohydrates (529.8 µg/ml in soft wheat and 340.7 µg/ml in faba bean) as compared to controls. On the other hand, the nitrate reductase activity was enhanced by seaweed extract application in both crops. Phosphorus (P) uptake by soft wheat and faba bean was significantly improved following the application of Ulva rigida extract [50%] (U), the PGPR S48 bacillus strain solution (S48S), and the co-treatment of Fucus spiralis extract [25%] (F) with the PGPR S48 bacillus strain solution (S48S). The findings suggest that the combined application of Fucus spiralis extract (F) and Ulva rigida extract (U) with the PGPR S48 bacillus strain solution (S48S) can significantly improve plant growth and nutrient absorption in durum wheat and faba bean. This offers a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers, reducing pollution and promoting healthier ecosystems. Furthermore, these biological treatments enhance plant resilience to abiotic stresses, potentially increasing yields in challenging conditions. By reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers, these practices can save money for farmers and advance sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cool season legumes (Faba bean, chickpea, lentil, pea, and grass pea) are important protein harvests for food and nutrition security in many countries. They play key roles in sustainable cereal production through their ecological benefits. However, diseases and pests attack continue to have a substantial impact on crop yield and quality. Although growers used different control options to manage these biotic stresses such as pesticide application, cultural practices, and resistant varieties, there is a pressing need for the development of new, more cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution to help farmers in facing the existing environmental issues. Recently, there is a growing interest among researchers in exploiting Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) for the elaboration of disease and pest control strategies in food legumes and other crops. These compounds have important functions in ecological relationships occurring between plants and their surrounding environment, as well as plants and others species, such as pests and pathogens. Due to their unique properties, VOCs can be employed in improving management alternatives for food legume diseases and pests. In this assessment, we investigated the role of VOCs in plantpest and plant-pathogen interactions and their present applications in pest and diseases control strategies. We emphasized the ecological importance of employing plant VOCs in legume farming and crop breeding. Additionally, we highlighted the potential of microbial VOCs in facilitating microbe-microbe, microbe-plant and microbe-plant-pest interactions, along with their role in food legume protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plant mutagenesis creates novel alleles, thereby increasing genetic and phenotypic diversity. The availability of the faba bean (Vicia faba L.) reference genome and a growing set of additional genomic resources has increased the scientific and practical value of mutant collections. We aimed to genotype and morphologically phenotype a historical faba bean mutant collection developed and characterized by Jan Sjödin (1934–2023) over half a century ago in order to increase its value to researchers. The collection was genotyped using high-throughput single-primer enrichment technology (SPET) assays. Results: We used 11,073 informative single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers spanning the faba bean genome to genotype 52 mutant lines along with the background line, cv. Primus. A range of flower, seed, leaf, and stipule mutations were observed. The analysis of population structure revealed a shallow structure with no major subpopulations. Principal component and cluster analyses revealed, to a minor extent, that the mutants clustered by their phenotype. Conclusions: The mutants' phenotypic variation and shallow structure indicate that the Sjödin faba bean collection has the potential to play a significant role in faba bean breeding and in genetic and functional studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objective of this study is to characterize the virus associated with faba bean (Vicia faba L.) crops in the Department of Nariño (Colombia). Faba bean is an important food source, but it faces challenges from viral diseases such as "pod mottle." This disease manifests with symptoms such as leaf chlorosis, dwarfism, and pod lesions. Viral characterization is conducted through seed transmission tests, mechanical transmission, RT-PCR, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that the virus morphology consists of spherical and enveloped particles that range between 80-100nm in diameter. RT-PCR and sequencing of the nucleocápside gen (558bp) reveals the virus is Orthotospovirus tomatomaculae (Tomato spotted wilt virus) with a 97% homology. Seed transmission is 2% while mechanical transmission is 40%. This is the first report of an Orthotospovirus affecting faba bean in Nariño, posing a risk to food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The hierarchical structure modification and antioxidant traits of broad bean protein (BBP) with low denaturation induced by alternating current electric field (ACEF) were examined. The ultraviolet, Fourier transform infrared, and Raman spectrometry showed that ACEF affected the tertiary and secondary structures of BBP, as evidenced by the significant increase in surface hydrophobicity, more β‐turns and random coils, fewer β‐sheets, and the variation of microenvironments of certain amino acid residues. X‐ray diffractometry revealed that ACEF reduced the relative crystallinity and granular size of BBP, increased lattice spacing, caused the weakening of intermolecular forces, and significantly decreased the compactness of spatial conformations in BBP. Furthermore, the antioxidant capacity of BBP increased following ACEF treatment and was influenced by voltage. This may be due to the BBP structure unfolding and the release of aromatic amino acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overall goal of this research was to develop plant protein-based lipid composite films by examining the effect of shear (mechanical shear; MS vs. high pressure shear; HPS) and type of legume protein isolates (pea, lentil, soy, and faba bean). Compared to MS, HPS emulsions had smaller droplet size, and HPS emulsions from pea and lentil were more viscous than soy and faba bean. The HPS films were lighter and more green and yellow in colour compared to MS films. HPS also improved the mechanical properties of the films resulting in higher tensile and puncture strength for pea and soy and higher tensile elongation and puncture deformation for most of the legumes. There was an inverse relationship between legumes where overall stronger and less flexible films were prepared from pea and soy, and vice versa from lentil and faba bean. HPS resulted in pea and soy films with less swelling ability and higher water vapour permeability (WVP), indicative of a poorer moisture barrier when homogenized this way. The MS films had similar WVP regardless of legume type, while under HPS it was the lowest for faba bean and highest for soy, despite the high swelling ability for both legumes. In short, pea, lentil, and faba bean protein isolates prepared emulsion films with good mechanical properties and water resistance, suggesting the potential to replace soy as edible packaging materials. HSP films had better mechanical attributes but poorer vapor barrier properties then those produced using MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nutrition and food industries are investigating unconventional protein sources because of the expanding demand for plant proteins and increased knowledge of the health and nutritional benefits of alternative proteins. Proteins from faba beans are high and outperform other pulse proteins in terms of nutrition and functionalities. Raw faba beans contain numerous allergenic compounds hindering the potential for utilization in various foods. Processing faba beans by extracting of valuable compounds such as proteins enhances the applicability in different food systems and ensuring safety during consumption. Major proteins identified are globulins and non-globulin fractions with no adverse amino acids. Faba beans proteins are easy to extract however presence of pyrimidine glycoside may raise safety concerns. Faba bean proteins have useful functionalities for food applications but their solubility are minimal due to their compact protein structure. Further, different thermal and non-thermal techniques have been aimed at improving functionality and reduce allergenic proteins. The goal of this review is to provide a comprehensive summary on current investigation on faba bean proteins. Suggestions for improving the faba bean's utilization are also provided to aid in its development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The American hoverfly Eupeodes americanus (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Syrphidae) is an aphidophagous predator during its larval stage and is currently being evaluated for inclusion in biocontrol programs as a new biocontrol agent. However, little is known about its reproductive aptitudes. The objective of the present study was to determine the reproductive parameters of E. americanus and to compare them with those of a commercialized and widely used biological control agent for aphids, the aphid midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Rondani) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae). The preoviposition period, oviposition period, adult longevity, lifetime and daily fecundity, egg hatching rate, and fertility were determined for E. americanus females and compared to those of A. aphidimyza. Trials were conducted under laboratory conditions in rearing cages on the broad bean plant Vicia faba L. (Fabaceae), infested with pea aphids Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) (Hemiptera: Aphididae). The results revealed that the preoviposition period, oviposition period, and adult longevity were significantly longer in E. americanus than in A. aphidimyza. The daily fecundity and egg-hatching rate were similar in both species. However, lifetime fecundity and fertility were considerably higher in E. americanus than in A. aphidimyza. This study demonstrates that the reproductive capacity of E. americanus is clearly superior to that of A. aphidimyza and therefore supports its inclusion in the aphid pest management program as a new biocontrol agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mexican bean beetle, Epilachna varivestis Mulsant (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), is a key pest of beans, and early detection of bean damage is crucial for the timely management of E. varivestis. This study was conducted to assess the feasibility of using drones and optical sensors to quantify the damage to field beans caused by E. varivestis. A total of 14 bean plots with various levels of defoliation were surveyed aerially with drones equipped with red-blue-green (RGB), multispectral, and thermal sensors at 2 to 20 m above the canopy of bean plots. Ground-validation sampling included harvesting entire bean plots and photographing individual leaves. Image analyses were used to quantify the amount of defoliation by E. varivestis feeding on both aerial images and ground-validation photos. Linear regression analysis was used to determine the relationship of bean defoliation by E. varivestis measured on aerial images with that found by the ground validation. The results of this study showed a significant positive relationship between bean damages assessed by ground validation and those by using RGB images and a significant negative relationship between the actual amount of bean defoliation and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index values. Thermal signatures associated with bean defoliation were not detected. Spatial analyses using geostatistics revealed the spatial dependency of bean defoliation by E. varivestis. These results suggest the potential use of RGB and multispectral sensors at flight altitudes of 2 to 6 m above the canopy for early detection and site-specific management of E. varivestis , thereby enhancing management efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postharvest ethylene accumulation and lignification are significant issues affecting the storage quality of fresh faba beans, resulting in rapid quality decline. However, there is still a lack of effective preservation methods to preserve the quality of faba beans during storage. This study aimed to investigate the regulation of lignification in faba beans during storage using a high-efficiency ethylene remover (HEER), examining physiological responses, key enzyme activities, and transcriptomic changes. Results showed that the HEER treatment inhibited the lignification, reducing it by 45% and lowering the respiratory rate of fresh pods by 32.8% during storage. Additionally, the HEER treatment suppressed respiration rates and the activities of lignin synthesis-related enzymes, including phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (from 353.73 to 246.60 U/g), cinnamic acid-4-hydroxylase (from 635.86 to 125.00 U/g), 4-coumarate: coenzyme A ligase (from 1008.57 to 516.52 U/g), and cinnamyl-alcohol dehydrogenase (from 129.42 to 37.12 U/g), thus slowing lignin accumulation. During storage, the hardness of fresh faba bean increased by 9.79% from the initial period, being 1.44 times higher than that of HEER. On days 8 and 16 of storage, the respiratory rate of the treated beans decreased by 24.38% and 4.12%, respectively. Physiological and enzyme activity analyses indicated that HEER treatment-induced increase in hardness was associated with the phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway. Moreover, the HEER significantly down-regulated the expression of several key genes, namely FaPAL, FaC4H, and FaCAD. This study helps to deepen the understanding of the inhibition of lignification by HEER and provide new insights for the development of preservation technology of faba bean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to assess the production performance of faba beans, quantify the yield gap, and measure the adoption levels of improved varieties to map the actors and identify the major constraints of the faba bean seed value chain. The paper was based on primary data collected from a random sample of 168 farmers. The adoption rate of improved faba bean seed at the household level in the study area was 23%. It was low, primarily due to a lack of access to improved seeds (59.5%) and a lack of knowledge about the availability of improved varieties (23%). Improved seed users had a 13% higher average yield than non-users and received an 11% premium market price for better seed quality, uniform appearance, and larger beans. Furthermore, the econometric analysis revealed that family size and extension contact significantly influence farmers' use of improved seed. Adoption was positively and significantly associated with extension contact at the p <.001 level and inversely correlated with family size (p <.05), thereby indicating that larger families were less likely to adopt. Farmers' saved seed was their most important source of planting material. The formal seed industry only supplies about 2.2% of the total faba bean seed. Hence, farmer-to-farmer seed exchange, own-saved seed, community-based seed production, scaling activities, seed producer and marketing cooperatives, and farmer-to-farmer seed exchange were the main sources of faba bean seed. The main limitations to faba bean production were disease, limited availability of improved seeds, frost, and damage caused by pests. The study recommends promoting improved varieties, improving access to extension services, strengthening and improving the informal seed system, and linking and integrating all the actors in the chain. The institutional linkage and intensive communication among all the stakeholders are also important for technology scaling up and farmers' easy access to improved seeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abiotic constraints, such as drought and heat driven by climate change, negatively impact the production of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), an essential grain legume worldwide. The ability to tolerate drought and heat stress in common bean can be improved by introducing genetic variation from related species, such as tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray), which has recently gained attention because of its adaptation to drought and heat stresses and potential use as a genetic resource and alternative crop. To better understand the phenotypic response of tepary bean to drought and heat stress in multiple environments and trials and to select highly adapted tepary beans, we conducted two field experiments. In Experiment 1, we compared the adaptation to drought stress of tepary bean (n = 10), common bean (n = 10), and Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.; n = 9) by assessing the reduction in grain yield under terminal drought compared to well‐irrigated conditions in two California locations with arid summer conditions. Of the three species, tepary bean showed the statistically strongest adaptation to terminal drought, followed by Lima bean and common bean. In Experiment 2, we evaluated a set of 22 tepary beans from contrasting origins for drought and heat stresses across multi‐environment trials (METs) in California, Nebraska, and Colombia, with common bean as a control. We found a considerable variation in the tepary bean phenotypic response to these MET conditions, as a result of a strong genotype × environment interaction. Also, we identified tepary bean accessions adapted to drought, heat, and well‐irrigated conditions across multiple climate zones. Understanding the performance of tepary bean across multiple environments and identifying tepary beans with broad and target‐specific adaptation will maximize the potential use of the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of mixing volatile organic compounds (VOC) emitted by host and non‐host plants on the orientation of key pests of Brassicaceae. The study aimed to understand how these mixed VOCs influence pest behaviour, which could help in tailoring pest management strategies. The orientations of flea beetles, Phyllotreta spp., and the diamondback moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, towards cabbage VOCs mixed with faba bean VOCs were assessed using Y‐tube olfactometry. The pests' preferences were measured to determine if the presence of faba bean alongside cabbage altered their olfactory orientation compared to cabbage alone. Flea beetles showed a preference for cabbage VOCs alone over the cabbage–faba bean VOC mix. For DBM, no significant preference was observed between cabbage alone and the cabbage–faba bean mix. Previous findings indicated that faba bean attracts DBM, and in this study the mixture of cabbage and faba bean appeared to be more attractive than cabbage alone. The results indicate that faba bean VOCs can deter flea beetles from cabbage, potentially offering a pest management strategy. However, the effect on DBM was inconclusive, with no clear preference observed. This suggests that while faba bean VOCs may influence pest orientation, their effectiveness varies among different pest species. Additionally, herbivore damage to cabbage leaves did not appear to influence the odour‐guided orientation of either pest, irrespective of the presence or absence of faba bean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Few studies have investigated how one-time targeted tillage of long-term no-till fields impacts topsoil properties and weed dynamics. An on-farm trial was implemented in 2020 to test the effects of occasional tillage (OT) in Morocco with a long-term no-tillage (NT) system and rainfed field crops: durum wheat (Triticum durum), faba bean (Vicia faba minor), and chickpea (Cicer arietinum). Four treatments were established, namely, continuous NT with crop residues maintained ("NT + residue"); continuous NT with crop residues not maintained ("NT-residue"); shallow inversion tillage ("shallow OT"); and deep non-inversion tillage ("deep OT"). Weassessed the effect of these treatments on soil physical and chemical properties in 0-10 and 10-20 cm soil depths after crop harvest of the 2020-2021 (year 1) and 2021-2022 (year 2) growing seasons corresponding to 1 and 2 years after OT, respectively. In addition, we evaluated the effect of the treatments on weed populations and the effect of the legume crop rotated with wheat on soil nitrogen (N) and weed density. In year 1, deep OT reduced the water content at field capacity and available water capacity at 0-10 cm compared to continuous NT; the cation-exchange capacity (CEC) under deep OT was lower than in NT-residue and NT + residue at 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm, respectively. Furthermore, deep OT increased ammonium-N (NH4-N) at 0-10 and 10-20 cm compared to NT + residue but reduced exchangeable potassium (K) at 10-20 cm depth compared to NT-residue. In year 2, shallow OT had lower total porosity at 10-20 cm than NT + residue, while shallow and deep OT recorded higher waterstable aggregates at 0-10 cm than NT + residue; at 10-20 cm, deep OT recorded lower CEC than NT + residue. However, deep OT had higher nitrate-N (NO3-N) and available sulfur (S) than NT-residue at 10-20 cm. Occasional tillage did not significantly affect 10 out of 19 of the soil properties evaluated, including soil organic matter (SOM), in all the years and did not help reduce the stratification of soil nutrients in NT. In year 1, 50 days after OT, deep OT reduced the weed density by 46% compared to NT + residue, while in year 2, 406 days after OT, shallow OT reduced weed density by 53% compared to NT-residue. Regarding the effect of the legume rotated with wheat, faba bean appeared to be the better preceding or following wheat crop as it resulted in higher residual soil mineral N and lower weed infestation than chickpea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The market for beverages is highly changing within the last years. Increasing consumer awareness towards healthier drinks led to the revival of traditional and the creation of innovative beverages. Various protein-rich legumes were used for milk analogues, which might be also valuable raw materials for refreshing, protein-rich beverages. However, no such applications have been marketed so far, which might be due to unpleasant organoleptic impressions like the legume-typical "beany" aroma. Lactic acid fermentation has already been proven to be a remedy to overcome this hindrance in consumer acceptance. Results: In this study, a statistically based approach was used to elucidate the impact of the fermentation parameters temperature, inoculum cell concentration, and methionine addition on the fermentation of lupine- and faba bean-based substrates. A total of 39 models were found and verified. The majority of these models indicate a strong impact of the temperature on the reduction of aldehydes connected to the "beany" impression (e.g., hexanal) and on the production of pleasantly perceived aroma compounds (e.g., β-damascenone). Positively, the addition of methionine had only minor impacts on the negatively associated sulfuric compounds methional, dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide, and dimethyl trisulfide. Moreover, in further fermentations, the time was added as an additional parameter. It was shown that the strains grew well, strongly acidified the both substrates (pH ≤ 4.0) within 6.5 h, and reached cell counts of > 9 log10 CFU/mL after 24 h. Notably, most of the aldehydes (like hexanal) were reduced within the first 6–7 h, whereas pleasant compounds like β-damascenone reached high concentrations especially in the later fermentation (approx. 24–48 h). Conclusions: Out of the fermentation parameters temperature, inoculum cell concentration, and methionine addition, the temperature had the highest influence on the observed aroma and taste active compounds. As the addition of methionine to compensate for the legume-typical deficit did not lead to an adverse effect, fortifying legume-based substrates with methionine should be considered to improve the bioavailability of the legume protein. Aldehydes, which are associated with the "beany" aroma impression, can be removed efficiently in fermentation. However, terminating the process prematurely would lead to an incomplete production of pleasant aroma compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the potential of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) in mitigating salt stress in common beans. The study found that the application of ZnO NPs through foliar application, nano priming, and soil application promoted plant growth and reduced salt stress. Nano priming was found to be the most effective approach. The study provides evidence of the potential of ZnO NPs in addressing salinity-induced growth inhibition in crops. [Extracted from the article]

The adoption of integrated soil fertility management (ISFM) practices can improve soil quality and sustainably increase crop yield while slowing down the rate of ongoing degradation. This research assessed the effects of selected ISFM practices on soil properties at the Dire and Legedadi watersheds, central highlands of Ethiopia, in the 2021 and 2022 cropping seasons. Eight treatments were selected (sole wheat, sole faba bean, 100% recommended NPS + urea fertilizers, 100% recommended vermicompost (VC), wheat with half dose both NPS + urea and VC, wheat and faba bean intercropping with half dose both NPS + urea and VC, wheat and faba bean intercropping with half‐dose NPS + urea fertilizers, and wheat and faba bean intercropping with 50% VC). The treatments were studied on farmers' fields using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Analysis of variance showed that soil samples collected from each plot indicated significant differences in soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (Pav), exchangeable bases (Ca2+, Na+, and Kexc), and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Soil pH and moisture showed improvement in combined fertilizers application compared to the preplanting soil sample. A combined application of VC and NPS + urea fertilizers significantly (p < 0.05) increased SOC, Pav, K+, Na+, and CEC compared to the control. A combined application of VC and NPS + urea fertilizers improved the soil quality. The highest TN contents of 0.36% at the Dire site and 0.30% at the Legedadi site were obtained with the full dose VC treatment. Additionally, this treatment resulted in the greatest water‐holding capacity and soil carbon stock at both sites. Similarly, the wheat‐faba bean intercropped plots showed a significant (p < 0.05) effect on the soil carbon stock and sequestration over the control in both study sites. Based on the results of the current study, it can be concluded that the combined application of a half dose of each VC and NPS + urea fertilizers improved most soil physicochemical properties at both sites. This suggests that using a combination of VC and NPS + urea fertilizers can help farmers reduce their inorganic fertilizer needs by 50%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jimson weed (Datura stramonium L.) is a toxic weed that is occasionally found in fields with common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) for the processing industry. Common bean growers are required to manually remove toxic weeds. If toxic weed plants remain, the standing crop will be rejected. Hence, the implementation of an automatic weed detection system aiding the farmers is badly needed. The overall goal of this study was to investigate if D. stramonium can be located in common bean fields using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based ten-band multispectral camera. Therefore four objectives were defined: (I) assessing the spectral discriminative capacity between common bean and D. stramonium by the development and application of logistic regression models; (II) examining the influence of ground sampling distance (GSD) on model performance; and improving model generalization by (III) incorporating the use of vegetation indices and cumulative distribution function (CDF) matching and by (IV) combining spectral data from multiple common bean fields with the use of leave-one-group-out cross-validation (LOGO CV). Logistic regression models were created using data from fields at four different locations in Belgium. Based on the results, it was concluded that common bean and D. stramonium are separable based on multispectral information. A model trained and tested on the data of one location obtained a validation true positive rate and true negative rate of 99% and 95%, respectively. In this study, where D. stramonium had a mean plant size of 0.038 m2 ( σ = 0.020), a GSD of 2.1 cm was found to be appropriate. However, the results proved to be location dependent as the model was not able to reliably distinguish D. stramonium in two other datasets. Finally, the use of a LOGO CV obtained the best results. Although small D. stramonium plants were still systematically overlooked and classified as common bean, the model was capable of detecting large D. stramonium plants on three of the four fields. This study emphasizes the variability in reflectance data among different common bean fields and the importance of an independent dataset to test model generalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fava bean (Vicia faba L.) is a protein-rich pulse with high nutritional value, but its functional and sensory characteristics limit its application in foods. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) can modify the composition of plant proteins, modulate its functionality, and enhance the sensory aspects. In this study, fava bean flour (FB) was fermented with Aspergillus oryzae and Rhizopus oligosporus to produce FBA and FBR, respectively, ingredients with distinct nutritional, functional, and aroma characteristics. The protein content increased by 20% in FBA and 8% in FBR, while fat levels rose more significantly in FBR (+40%). The overall content of fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) decreased by 47% (FBA) and 57% (FBR), although polyol production by A. oryzae was observed. SSF improved the nutritional profile of FBA and FBR, with a notable increase in the concentration of essential amino acids observed, and a reduction in most antinutrients, with the exception of trypsin inhibitors. SSF resulted in the formation of aggregates, which increased the particle size and reduced protein solubility. Emulsions prepared with the fermented ingredients separated faster, and the foaming capacity of both FBA and FBR was decreased, but an increase in water-holding capacity was observed. SSF resulted in the production of predominantly savoury-associated aroma compounds, with compounds characteristic of metallic and mouldy aromas reduced. These results indicate the potential of SSF to transform FB with enhanced nutritional value and improved sensory and functional properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fava beans, renowned for their nutritional value and sustainable cultivation, are pivotal in various food applications. This study examined the implications of varying the particle size on the functional, physicochemical, and in vitro digestibility properties of fava bean flour. Fava bean was milled into 0.14, 0.50, and 1.0 mm particle sizes using a Ferkar multipurpose knife mill. Physicochemical analyses showed that the 0.14 mm flour had more starch damage, but higher protein and fat contents. Functionality assessments revealed that the finer particle sizes had better foaming properties, swelling power, and gelation behavior than the coarse particle size. Emulsion capacity showed that for all the pH conditions, 1.00 mm particle size flour had a significantly higher (p < 0.05) oil droplet size, while the 0.5 and 0.14 mm flours had smaller and similar oil droplet sizes. Moreover, in vitro digestibility assays resulted in improved starch digestion (p ˂ 0.05) with the increase in flour particle size. Varying the particle size of fava bean flour had less impact on the in vitro digestibility of the bread produced from wheat–fava bean composite flour, with an average of 84%. The findings underscore the critical role of particle size in tailoring fava bean flour for specific culinary purposes and nutritional considerations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, microwave-assisted extraction of faba bean protein (BP) concentrate was optimized through the response surface methodology. Microwave power (250-500 W) and processing time (10-60 min) were chosen as independent variables and the effect of these parameters on protein yield was investigated. The highest protein yield (47.74%) was achieved at 481.70 W microwave power and 50.68 min processing time. The characteristic properties of BP obtained under optimum conditions were compared with whey protein. The characteristic bonds of the proteins were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and molecular weights were determined by sodium dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-page). The solubility values of BP and whey protein were found to be as 80.23% and 91.12%, respectively (P <0.05). BP's foaming properties, emulsifying behavior, and stability coefficient resulted in superior to whey protein. The results showed plant proteins will be considered as alternative protein sources in food systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effects of intercropping faba beans on soil fertility and microbial communities in pear orchards, soil samples were collected from no intercropping (CK), intercropped Sucan 3 Hao (CT1), intercropped Sucan 4 Hao (CT2), and intercropped Cican 1 Hao (CT3, local variety) treatments during the seedling stage, flowering stage, and maturity stage. The samples were analyzed for soil physicochemical properties, microbial activity, and community structures. The results showed that after intercropping with faba beans, the nitrate nitrogen (NO-3-N), and available phosphorus (Olsen P) increased during the seedling stage. During the flowering stage, soil electrical conductivity, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), dissolved organic nitrogen (DON), and NO-3-N contents significantly increased, while pH and Olsen P contents significantly decreased. Intercropping with faba beans increased soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), especially CT1 and CT2 increased by 36% and 51%, respectively at the maturity stage compared with CK (P<0.05), and decreased the activity of hydrolytic enzymes related to the degradation of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. Additionally, intercropping with faba beans increased the bacterial richness index and the Shannon index. It also increased the relative abundances of bacteria from the Planctomycetota, Firmicutes, Gemmatimonadetes, and Verrucomicrobia phyla, while decreasing the relative abundances of bacteria from the Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria phyla. Mantel and CCA analyses indicated that pH and NO-3-N were important driving factors for microbial activity, and MBC significantly affected the bacterial community structures. Our results indicates that longterm intercropping of faba beans helps to increase soil microbial biomass and diversity, playing a crucial role in maintaining soil microecological diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are a class of beneficial bacteria that colonise the roots of plants and improve projected plant growth through a multivariate process. PGPR application is increasing steadily in the field of agriculture, providing an attractive mechanism to replace pesticides, chemical fertilisers and additional supplements. Methods: In this study, PGPR from rhizospheric soil collected from Abha, a city located in the southern region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), were isolated and characterised to facilitate verifying the efficacy of using PGPR as a biological control to improve fava bean growth. Four bacterial isolates from the nodules of fava bean plants, S4, S5, S6 and S17, were isolated and characterised. Consequently, an investigation highlighting the impact of PGPR isolates on the preservation of fava bean plants from the root-knot nematode was conducted through a pot culture experiment. Soil infested with the nematode was added to the pots. Two commercial types of fava bean plants (Vicia faba L.) were co-inoculated with PGPR 15 days after planting. Result: The results reveal that the nodule-forming bacteria interact synergistically; this was evidenced by a prominent increase in the shoot length and dry weight of the fava bean plants that had been cultivated in the nematode-infested soil. The results also demonstrate that the overall treatment of the plants did not lead to nodule formation. The results indicate that nodule-forming bacteria could be utilised in leguminous crops to facilitate biocontrol of the root-knot nematode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying food plant germplasm with superior seed nutritional values is important in helping alleviate nutrient mineral deficiencies. Faba bean (Vicia faba), a highly nutritious, protein-rich legume, is an important crop plant grown in the U.S. and globally. Therefore, the goals of this study were to quantify the levels of K, P, Ca, Mg, S, Zn, Fe, Cu, B, and Mn in the seeds of 90 faba bean genotypes. Additionally, we evaluated percent daily values (%DV) based on U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommendations. Macro- and micronutrient concentrations varied among faba bean genotypes. Seed Zn was positively correlated with seed P and Cu contents. Moreover, the Mn level was greater in faba beans with the highest concentrations of P, S, and Ca. The results of the present study demonstrate that there is significant variation in seed mineral nutrients among faba beans. We identified a set of faba beans with superior nutrient composition that could be potentially useful in genetic improvement studies and in addressing global future food security challenges. These findings will help global food security by achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Two, which is to achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endophytic bacteria from pea (Pisum sativum L.) plants play important roles in regulating plant growth, health, and nutrition. To enhance the understanding of endophytic bacteria in peas, twenty pea cultivars, two chickpeas, and two broad bean cultivars were planted into artificial soils for 4 weeks. Leaves and roots were collected from plants and sterilized. Endophytic bacterial DNAs were isolated from sterilized materials (leaves, roots, and seeds) and used as templates to detect the bacterial diversity by amplifying the 16S V3–V4 region. The Remel Tryptose Soya Agar (TSA) medium, the aluminum sec-butoxide (ASb) medium, and the yeast extract mannitol agar (YMA) medium were used to isolate bacteria from sterilized leaves and roots, respectively. The plant growth-promoting (PGP) properties of these isolated bacteria, such as the solubilization of phosphorus and potassium and the production of Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase, nitrogenase, pectinase, and cellulose, were studied in vitro. Bacterial isolates were processed for 16S rDNA gene sequencing and performed molecular identification by reconstruction of the phylogenetic tree using the neighborhood association approach in the software MEGA X. Results indicated that the majority of the bacterial communities were shared among leaves, roots, and seeds of pea plants. In both the leaves and roots of pea plants, the prominent phyla identified were Pseudomonadota, Bacteroidota, and Bacillota, with dominant genera such as Rhizobium, Bacteroides, Blautia, and Prevotella prevailing at the genus level. The samples from leaves and roots had unique dominant bacterial genera. In total, 48 endophytic bacteria strains were isolated from leaves and roots, of which 16 strains were from roots and 32 strains were from leaves. The majority of the isolates from leaves (78.13%) and roots (75%) had the ability to produce indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Moreover, isolates from roots also had greater ability to produce 1-amino-cyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase (81.25%) than those from leaves (62.5%). This study demonstrated the unique distribution of endophytes in leaves and roots of pea, which can have great potential in pea production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Candidate genes related to first pod height (FPH) traits in faba bean plants are crucial for mechanised breeding. However, reports on quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping related to the FPH of faba bean are few, thus limiting the high-quality development of the faba bean industry to a certain extent. The identification and screening of candidate genes related to FPH is extremely urgent for the advancement of mechanised breeding for faba bean. In this study, a high-density genetic linkage map was constructed using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) of an F3 population and QTLs (genes) related to FPH were identified. The genetic linkage map contained seven linkage groups with 3012 SNP markers with an overall length of 4089.13 centimorgan (cM) and an average marker density of 1.36 cM. Thirty-eight QTLs for the first pod node (FPN) and FPH were identified (19 each for FPN and FPH). The 19 QTLs associated with FPN were located on chromosomes 1L, 1S, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6; the 19 QTLs associated with FPH were located on chromosomes 1L, 1S, 2, 3, 5, and 6. There was a co-localisation interval of qFPN6-1 and qFPH6-1 on chromosome 6. By annotating the QTL qFPH6-1 interval, 36 genes that may be related to FPH were identified, these genes are related to plant growth and development. The results provide a basis for the precise location of QTLs related to FPH and could accelerate the breeding of faba bean varieties adapted to mechanised harvesting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In this study, we examined the physicochemical and functional properties of fava bean globulin fractions that are rich in legumin or vicilin proteins. The sulphur containing amino acids, branched chain amino acids, and arginine/lysine ratio obtained for legumin (1.89%, 18.32%, and 1.43%) are significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the 1.24%, 17.94%, and 1.05%, respectively, for the vicilin fraction. SDS‐PAGE results show that the legumin fraction had a wider range of polypeptide sizes (approximately 14–140 kDa) when compared to the approximately 12–68 kDa for vicilin. The surface hydrophobicity (So) of legumin (86.07) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower compared with vicilin (118.19). The legumin had higher protein solubility (approximately 40–50%) than the vicilin (0%) at pH 3 and 4, but vicilin solubility was higher at pH 6–8. The vicilin had higher (83.58%) in vitro protein digestibility than the legumin (78.24%). However, the legumin had higher oil‐holding capacity, lower least gelation concentration, and formed emulsions at pH 3, 7, and 9 with smaller mean oil droplet sizes than the vicilin. Foam formation was better with increased levels of α‐helix secondary structure. We conclude that pH of the environment was a stronger determinant of protein functionality than the sample protein concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water scarcity is a major challenge for faba bean production, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. This study investigated the effect of deficit irrigation and organic or bio-fertilization on faba bean yield and water use efficiency (WUE). The experiment was conducted in two consecutive winter seasons in Egypt, and the average results of the two seasons were presented because there were no significant differences between the two seasons. The experimental design was split-plot with three replicates in each season. The main plots were assigned to the amounts of irrigation water [3330 m3 ha−1 (I1), 2830 m3 ha−1 (I2), and 2330 m3 ha−1 (I3)] and the subplots were devoted to the fertilization treatments [control, humic acid (HA), fulvic acid (FA), and effective micro-organisms (EM)]. The results showed that the plant height and branch numbers were increased by 139.95 and 242.03%, respectively, for HA at irrigation treatment of I2 over the control. Adding HA increased chlorophyll and protein contents by 209.04 and 295.46%, respectively, over the control at irrigation regime of I2. Adding HA significantly increased pods number, pods weight per plant, and total green yield by 380.21, 314.51, and 420.28%, respectively, over the control. The WUE value was 4.51 kg m−3 by adding HA under deficit irrigation I2 compared to irrigation I3 (2.64 kg m−3) while the WUE value was 4.58 kg m−3 at normal irrigation (I1). Overall, the application of organic or bio-fertilizers, especially humic acid, could mitigate the negative effects of deficit irrigation and improve faba bean yield and WUE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The research about sustainable and alternative plant protein sources has accelerated with the increasing need for protein. Safflower meal has a potential to be used in protein production due to its high protein content. This research aimed to produce an alternative plant‐based protein powder using safflower meal. Both extraction and spray‐drying parameters of safflower protein powder production were optimized using response surface methodology to achieve maximum yield. Moreover, the physicochemical and functional properties of safflower protein were determined and compared with those of commercial protein powders (soy, sunflower, pea, fava bean, and rice). RESULTS: The optimum extraction conditions were found to be 33.06:1 mL−1 g solvent‐to‐meal ratio, pH 11.00, 23.34 °C extraction temperature, and 30.86 min extraction time, which were achieved with a protein yield response of 75.21%. The highest powder yield (51.28%) was recorded for drying conditions of inlet air temperature of 160.11 °C, aspiration rate of 54.17 m3 h−1, and feed flow rate of 16.01 mL min−1. According to the amino acid profile of safflower protein, the glutamic acid content (14 475 mg (100 g)−1) was highest, while the methionine content (96 mg (100 g)−1) was lowest. Moreover, safflower protein can be regarded as a high‐quality protein due to its high essential amino acid ratio (41.55%). The experiments showed that safflower protein had high solubility and good foam and emulsifying properties. CONCLUSION: Safflower protein could be a nutritional and functional protein source for the food industry. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural hematite supported cobalt (Co/Nat-Hem), a new heterogeneous catalyst, was successfully prepared by a simple impregnation technique. Textural, structural, functional groups and morphological aspects of the prepared catalyst were analyzed by BET, XRD, FT-IR, XRF, pHpzc, SEM-EDX methods. BET analysis shows that the Co/Nat-Hem catalyst has a specific surface area of ​​13.44 m2/g and a pore volume of 0.062 cm3/g. The SEM-EDX method showed that 7.19 wt% of the cobalt species were dispersed on the surface of the prepared catalyst. The catalytic activity of Co/Nat-Hem was evaluated by photo-Fenton oxidation of the dye Cong red (CR). The effect of reaction parameters on CR oxidation efficiency was investigated. Under optimal reaction conditions (1 g/L catalyst concentration, 0.2 mol/L H2O2 initial concentration and pH 3), the percentage of CR discoloration reaches 97% after 30 min. The Co/Nat-Hem catalyst achieved a synergistic ratio of 28.5%, which was added to the oxidation rate of the Nat-Hem catalyst. The stability of the Co/Nat-Hem catalyst was demonstrated by the limited activity of leachates in the homogeneous Fenton oxidation of CR. The phytotoxicity of the CR dye was tested during the irrigation of the bean (Vicia faba L.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The generation of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species under either natural or stressful conditions activates antioxidant systems to balance the redox status in plant cells. The effect of seed priming with low concentrations of H2O2 and/or arginine (Arg) was examined on redox status of salinity-stressed Vicia faba in the present study. Salinity stress produced H2O2 and caused oxidative damage to photosynthetic pigments and membrane lipids represented by reduction in chlorophyll contents and carbohydrate production, and high accumulation of malondialdehyde, denoted as oxidative distress. Under saline conditions, Arg and/or H2O2 priming increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase and ascorbate peroxidase), non-enzymatic antioxidants (phenols, flavonoids, anthocyanins and carotenoids), proline and total antioxidant activity (based on the FRAP method) followed by a reduction in the malondialdehyde content and an increase in the chlorophylls and water soluble carbohydrates contents. Altogether, the seed priming with H2O2 and Arg could constitute a 'priming memory' in seeds of V. faba, which recruited upon a subsequent salinity stress-exposure and induced stress-tolerance of primed beans trough invoking antioxidant systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Ecosystems that experience elevated CO2 (eCO2) are crucial interfaces where intricate interactions between plants and microbes occur. This study addressed the impact of eCO2 and a N supply on faba bean (Vicia faba L.) growth and the soil microbial community in auto-controlled growth chambers. In doing so, two ambient CO2 concentrations (aCO2, daytime/nighttime = 410/460 ppm; eCO2, 550/610 ppm) and two N supplement levels (without a N supply—N0—and 100 mg N as urea per kg of soil—N100) were applied. The results indicated that eCO2 mitigated the inhibitory effects of a N deficiency on legume photosynthesis and affected the CO2 assimilation efficiency, in addition to causing reduced nodulation. While the N addition counteracted the reductions in the N concentrations across the faba beans' aboveground and belowground plant tissues under eCO2, the CO2 concentrations did not significantly alter the soil NH4+-N or NO3−-N responses to a N supply. Notably, under both aCO2 and eCO2, a N supply significantly increased the relative abundance of Nitrososphaeraceae and Nitrosomonadaceae, while eCO2 specifically reduced the Rhizobiaceae abundance with no significant changes under aCO2. A redundancy analysis (RDA) highlighted that the soil pH (p < 0.01) had the most important influence on the soil microbial community. Co-occurrence networks indicated that the eCO2 conditions mitigated the impact of a N supply on the reduced structural complexity of the soil microbial communities. These findings suggest that a combination of eCO2 and a N supply to crops can provide potential benefits for managing future climate change impacts on crop production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the synergistic effects of three protein concentrates from legumes (pea, lentil, and lima bean) as emulsifiers and stabilizers of oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions using a simplex-centroid mixture design. The aim was to check whether proteins combined in different proportions have better emulsifying properties than isolated proteins. During this study, each protein concentrate was characterized by different evaluated parameters: emulsifying activity, emulsion stability, accelerated stability test, thermal coagulation time, stability to coalescence, and others. After statistical analysis mixture optimization, it was found that the best formulation for stabilizing O/W emulsion under the tested conditions (2% total protein; 3% sunflower oil) was the protein blend containing 21.21% pea, 32.78% lentil, and 46.01% fava bean. This blend exhibited better emulsification properties compared to the individual proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The herbicidal activity of the fermentation broth, filtrate, and extracts of Bacillus altitudinis D30202 was evaluated against seed germination and seedling growth of wild oat (Avena fatua L.). The bacterial culture filtrate exhibited greater inhibition of the wild oat weed than the fermentation broth. The filtrate was also extracted with organic solvents. The herbicidal potency of the extracts on the growth of wild oat plants was as follows: chloroform (100% inhibition of germination) > n-butanol (93.8%) > ethyl acetate (66.7%) > petroleum ether (6.3%) > aqueous phase (2.1%); so the chloroform extract was evaluated further. It inhibited wild oat radicle growth by 100%, and plumule growth by 97.9%, while spraying young plants with a 5 mg/mL extract caused severe desiccation of the leaves, stalk wilting, and plant death. IC50 values for inhibition of plumule and radicle growth and germination were 0.64– 0.72 mg/mL. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed changes in the microstructure of the leaves and root tips, and degradation of organelles following chloroform extract treatment. The 5 mg/mL extract had no adverse impact on the growth or health of highland barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), corn (Zea mays), and broad bean (Vicia faba L.), indicating that this novel bioherbicide is suitable for control of wild oat weeds in the production of these food crops (while having a minor impact on the health of pea plants and being phytotoxic to wheat plants). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pulse crop lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is often grown in crop rotations to provide nitrogen (N) and water benefits for subsequent crops. Lentil yields vary greatly with environmental factors and management. A reliable crop model for lentil could assist efforts to assess the effects of management practices to mitigate environmental stresses and maximize lentil yields. However, few crop models simulate the development and growth of lentil. In this study, we adapted the CSM-CROPGRO model in the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer to simulate lentil development and growth based on data collected from six experiments conducted from 2001 to 2021 globally. The initial parameter values taken from faba bean (Vicia faba L.) were modified based on reported information and analysis of observed data. Those values were fine-tuned to minimize the gaps between the simulated and observed crop attributes. The model simulated well development stages with root mean square error (RMSE) of 4 days and aboveground biomass with normalized root mean square error (nRMSE ≤ 23%). Seed yields were generally well simulated across experiments in calibration and validation (nRMSE = 19%) datasets, except for overestimation under the humid environment of Quebec in Canada, which may have resulted from excessive vegetative growth. The underlying mechanisms leading to excessive vegetative growth need to be explored further and included in the model for evaluating the adaptability of lentils to specific regions. Overall, the CSM-CROPGRO-Lentil model is ready for simulating lentil production under various scenarios, which may identify ways to improve the productivity and resiliency of cropping systems that include lentil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural production in the Azores primarily focuses on the livestock sector, notably, dairy production, where cows graze year-round in a rotational system. To maintain pasture productivity, farmers often rely on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, which have adverse environmental impacts like ammonia emissions and nitrate leaching. Alternatively, nitrogen-fixing crops like legumes are explored as green manures to enhance soil quality and reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers. The traditional practice of using mixed forages of legumes and grasses, known as "outonos" or intercrops, has been crucial but is declining over time. These mixtures include plants such as lupins, Vicia faba, oats, and vetch, noted for their adaptability and nitrogen-fixing ability. Due to the high perishability of these crops, effective conservation strategies like ensiling are essential to preserve forage nutritional quality through controlled fermentation. This study evaluates the productivity and quality of intercrop forages in the Azores, focusing on fresh samples and silage prepared with wilting times of 0, 24, 48, and 96 h, followed by comprehensive chemical analyses. Results showed significant changes in fiber components (neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin) with increased wilting time, leading to reduced digestibility. However, wilting improved dry matter content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we attempted to clarify the mechanism that might be involved in the ameliorative effects of a-tocopherol on faba bean plants grown under different Cd levels. The effect of a-tocopherol on growth parameters, photosynthetic pigments, micronucleus formation, DNA integrity loss, cell proliferation increase, nuclear morphology and chromosomal alterations. These were studied in plants grown in a nutrient solution supplemented with different concentrations of Cd (0 or 150 µmol/l) and sprayed with a-tocopherol at concentrations of 0, 50 and 100 mg/l. Heavy metal stress caused an increase in chlorophyll a and b. Cytogenetic analysis showed that Cd could cause significant micronucleus formation and the appearance of chromosomal abnormalities affecting the structure and number of chromosomes in the root meristems of the bean. The genotoxic effect of Cd is caused by the production of ROS. It should be noted that the combination of tocopherol and Cd reduced the toxic effect of this stress at cellular level. Application of a-tocopherol helping to reduce oxidative damage and develop tolerance to heavy metal stress in a-tocopherol-treated bean plants. This a-tocopherol-induced increase in tolerance to heavy metal stress was evidenced by improvements in photosynthetic activity. The results show that treatment with a-tocopherol reduced the adverse effects of Cd stress on bean plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Plant proteins are being increasingly utilized as functional ingredients in foods because of their potential health, sustainability, and environmental benefits. However, their functionality is often worse than the synthetic or animal‐derived ingredients they are meant to replace. The functional performance of plant proteins can be improved by conjugating them with polyphenols. In this study, the formation and stability of oil‐in‐water emulsions prepared using faba bean protein–grape leaf polyphenol (FP‐GLP) conjugates as emulsifiers. Initially, FP‐GLP conjugates were formed using an ultrasound‐assisted alkali treatment. Then, corn oil‐in‐water emulsions were prepared using high‐intensity sonication (60% amplitude, 10 min) and the impacts of conjugate concentration, pH, ionic strength, freezing–thawing, and heating on their physicochemical properties and stability were determined. RESULTS: Microscopy and light scattering analysis showed that oil‐in‐water emulsions containing small oil droplets could be formed at conjugate concentrations of 2% and higher. The addition of salt reduced the electrostatic repulsion between the droplets, which increased their susceptibility to aggregation. Indeed, appreciable droplet aggregation was observed at ≥ 50 mmol/L sodium chloride. The freeze–thaw stability of emulsions prepared with protein–polyphenol conjugates was better than those prepared using the proteins alone. In addition, the emulsions stabilized by the conjugates had a higher viscosity than those prepared by proteins alone. CONCLUSION: This study showed that FP‐GLP conjugates are effective plant‐based emulsifiers for forming and stabilizing oil‐in‐water emulsions. Indeed, emulsions formed using these conjugates showed improved resistance to pH changes, heating, freezing, and salt addition. © 2024 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though legumes are valuable medicinal plants with edible seeds that are extensively consumed worldwide, there is little information available on the metabolic variations between different dietary beans and their influence as potential anti-cholinesterase agents. High-resolution liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry in positive and negative ionization modes combined with multivariate analysis were used to explore differences in the metabolic profiles of five commonly edible seeds, fava bean, black-eyed pea, kidney bean, red lentil, and chickpea. A total of 139 metabolites from various classes were identified including saponins, alkaloids, phenolic acids, iridoids, and terpenes. Chickpea showed the highest antioxidant and anti-cholinesterase effects, followed by kidney beans. Supervised and unsupervised chemometric analysis determined that species could be distinguished by their different discriminatory metabolites. The major metabolic pathways in legumes were also studied. Glycerophospholipid metabolism was the most significantly enriched KEGG pathway. Pearson's correlation analysis pinpointed 18 metabolites that were positively correlated with the anti-cholinesterase activity. Molecular docking of the biomarkers to the active sites of acetyl- and butyryl-cholinesterase enzymes revealed promising binding scores, validating the correlation results. The present study will add to the metabolomic analysis of legumes and their nutritional value and advocate their inclusion in anti-Alzheimer's formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]