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This research addresses the presence of Elsinoë phaseoli in Kenya, where information on the biology of this pathogen remains scarce. Employing a multifaceted approach, the study demonstrates the steps taken to isolate, identify, and characterize E. phaseoli as the pathogen responsible for scab on common bean. Field observations confirmed scab symptoms, particularly the prominent pod lesions. Elsinoë phaseoli was isolated from common bean using a targeted streaking method on older acervulus-bearing lesions. Morphological examinations revealed a notable diversity within E. phaseoli colonies, consistent with the characteristics of the genus. Molecular identification through ITS-rDNA sequencing confirmed isolate AscoSK1 obtained in this study as belonging to E. phaseoli, offering a robust species differentiation method. Assessing conidium production required the implementation of five different culture methods. An adaptation of the Scheper et al. (2013) method yielded the highest quantity of conidia from 25 colonies spaced at 1 cm apart, with a conidial yield of 5.0 × 106 conidia per 9-cm-diameter Petri dish. A higher conidial yield was attained after the colonies were pre-incubated on potato dextrose agar in the dark at room temperature for 28 days, followed by a transfer to corn meal agar for an additional 2 days at 20°C. This emphasizes the pivotal influence of incubation duration and pre-culture conditions on the process. This research provides insights into the biology of E. phaseoli and introduces an improved method for enhancing in vitro sporulation of the pathogen, setting groundwork for future research and handling.

Practical Application Peptides in black bean protein hydrolysates (BPHs) exert antioxidant capacity. However, peptides are prone to degradation during processing and digestion. Chitosan (Ch) can protect them and provide a delayed release. This work develops and compares two drying methods producing porous structured Ch microparticles (MPs) as carriers for antioxidant BPH. Ch gels were obtained by ionic gelation and dried by supercritical CO2 solvent displacement or fast‐freeze‐drying methods. The resulting aerogels and fast‐freeze‐dried MPs were structurally characterized, and their swelling and release profiles were obtained at pH 1.2 and 7.4. The antioxidant capacity of systems was determined by 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethyl‐benzthiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and superoxide radical assays. The results showed BPH‐Ch best complexation conditions occurring at a pH of 4.5 and a 4:1 BPH/Ch ratio. The particle size of the complex was 1047.6 nm, and the entrapment efficiency and loading capacity were 28.2% and 54.3%, respectively. At pH 1.2 and 7.4, the release rate of BPH was lower in aerogel than in fast‐freeze‐dried MPs. Besides, entrapment BPH in Ch significantly reduced the ABTS antioxidant activity IC50 from 35.1 µM Trolox equivalents (TE)/mg to 250.7 and 406.2 µM TE/mg for Ch fast‐freeze‐dried and aerogels, respectively. Superoxide radical inhibition IC50 ranged from 74.6 to 92.9 mM ascorbic acid equivalents/mg in the different samples. BPH‐loaded aerogels presented lower specific surface area (94.7 vs. 138.6 m2/g, p < 0.05) and higher average pore size (26.4 vs. 19.8 nm) than Ch aerogels. Ch aerogel is a promising carrier for delaying the release of common bean antioxidant peptides useful for developing functional foods.This novel system could act as an ingredient to incorporate antioxidant compounds in different formats to develop delayed‐release nutraceuticals and functional foods, such as bakery, dairy products, or beverages. Along, antioxidant peptide‐loaded aerogels could be used as a slow‐release system for compounds acting as natural preserving antioxidants for food applications such as raw meat products or high‐fat foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractA large number of beneficial microorganisms have been used as inoculants in agriculture to increase grain yield. The objective of the study was to evaluate the response of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) to inoculation and co-inoculation with rhizobia, azospirilla and cyanobacteria combined with doses of N-fertilizer. A field experiment was carried out in two growing seasons to assess twelve treatments using single and combined inoculation of rhizobia (Rhizobium tropici + R. freirei), Azospirillum brasilense, Anabaena cylindrica, and Calothrix brevissima, and application of 30 and 60 kg N kg ha−1 as topdressing in a factorial design. A control without N-mineral and inoculation was included. Co-inoculation of common bean (cv. IPR Curió) using A. cylindrica, C. brevissima with rhizobia, and A. brasilense, with the application of 30 kg N ha−1 in topdressing increases grain yields. Regardless of the growing season and the N dose, the dual inoculation of rhizobia and C. brevissima stood out in the increase of grain yield concerning the control without inoculation, showing that it is an efficient agronomic practice for common bean under tropical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Grafting is a commonly used technique in horticulture and agriculture. The rhizosphere microbiome is critical for plant growth and performance, however, knowledge of the effect of grafting on rhizosphere microbial assemblages is still limited. Here, we use grafting systems of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) to study the effects of scion cultivar and grafting on rhizomicrobiome and root exudates. Methods: Grafting systems were constructed by using two cultivars of common bean. The rhizomicrobiome of intercultivar grafts (wherein different cultivars used as the scion and the rootstock) and intracultivar grafts (wherein same cultivar used as the scion and the rootstock) were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene and fungal internal transcribed spacer region. Root exudates of intercultivar and intracultivar grafts were analyzed by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses. Results: The rhizomicrobiome and root exudate profiles of common bean were significantly different between two cultivars. Scion cultivar significantly influenced the composition of rhizomicrobiome and root exudate profiles. Intercultivar grafts narrowed the differences of rhizomicrobiome between two cultivars. Pseudomonas and Talaromyces were highly accumulated in intercultivar grafts relative to those in intracultivar grafts. m-Coumaric acid, methyl jasmonate, and sebacic acid were increased in intercultivar grafts compared with intracultivar grafts, and showed positive relationships with Pseudomonas and Talaromyces. Conclusion: Scion cultivars modulated the assembly of rhizomicrobiome and the root exudation. Intercultivar grafting narrowed the differences between the rhizomicrobiomes of different cultivars, with a profound increase of Pseudomonas and Talaromyces, and root exudates, m-coumaric acid, methyl jasmonate, and sebacic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a widely cultivated crop, representing an important protein source in the human diet in developing countries. The production of this crop faces serious challenges, such as virus diseases transmitted by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci. Although there is a lot of information about some of these viruses, most of what we know has been developed using model systems, such as tomato plants and tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV). There is still very little information on the most relevant common bean viruses, such as bean golden mosaic virus (BGMV), bean golden yellow mosaic virus (BGYMV), bean dwarf mosaic virus (BDMV), cowpea mild mottle virus (CPMMV), and bean yellow disorder virus (BnYDV). In this review, we discuss the available data in the most up-to-date literature and suggest future research avenues to contribute to the development of management tools for preventing or reducing the damage caused by viruses in this important crop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction between bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) genotypes and N-fixing microorganisms has the potential to be utilized in sustainable agricultural production. Thus, the aim of this study was to verify the effects of the interaction for growth, production and nodulation characteristics between the bacteria Rhizobium tropici and Azospirillum brasilense among different bean genotypes. The experiments were conducted in the Selvíria, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, in 2018 and 2019, in randomized block design with three replicates in a 20 × 3 factorial scheme; 20 common bean genotypes were tested under three forms of inoculation (no inoculation, inoculation with R. tropici, co-inoculation of R. tropici + A. brasilense). The number of grains per pod and nodule mass had the most significant direct positive effect on grain yield. For nodulation, a positive correlation of strong magnitude was observed between mass of the aerial part and number of pods per plant (0.68), stem diameter and mass of nodules (0.92) and first pod insertion height and number of nodules (0.64). In the path analysis, the number of grains per pod had the most significant direct effect (0.57) on the grain productivity variable. Regarding nodulation characteristics, selection for nodule mass was preferred due to its direct effect on grain yield as opposed to the number of nodules, which has a negative effect. This suggests an advantage of larger nodules with greater individual mass than a large number of small nodules for both improved yield and N fixing by common bean plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fermentation of chicken feather wastes into valuable products, such as organic liquid fertilizer by Serratia marcescens and Klebsiellia pneumoniae could serve as a great advantage for sustainable agricultural practices. Hence, the objective of this paper was to assess the growth-enhancing potential of chicken feather waste hydrolyzed bySerratia marcescens and Klebsiella pneumoniae for cultivation of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)and cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata)obtained from Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria using appropriate standard techniques. The proximate compositions of the chicken feather waste showed 77% crude protein content. The chicken feather waste has a mineral composition of 4.20% Nitrogen, 4.06% Phosphorus, and 0.32% Magnesium, the lowest. 76% and 72% of chicken feather waste were degraded by Serratia marcescens BKM-2 and Klebsiella pneumoniae BKM-3 respectively. The results showed that 30 ml of KlebsiellapneumoniaeBKM-3 feather waste hydrolysate, has its best growth performance observed forPhaseolus vulgaris and Vigna unguiculata cultivars with 20.74 cm plant height, 4.56 cm leaf length, and 5.00 number of leaves and 24.37 cm plant height, 3.74 cm leaf length with 5.00 number of leaves at 15 days respectively compared to 15 ml and 45 ml. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study of plant–rhizosphere microorganism associations has become an important knowledge resource for sustainable agriculture. However, little has been achieved in the replacement of synthetic fertilization because most of these studies have been carried out under controlled conditions and not in experimental fields. In this study, we evaluated the effect of inoculating plants of two common bean cultivars at the vegetative and reproductive stages of the crop cycle with Alternaria solani native strain IA300 under field conditions. Results showed that A. solani is capable of increasing the production of common bean cultivars, reflected over different vegetative and reproductive response variables: leaf area, plant length (cm), fresh weight (g), dry weight (g), number of leaves, flowers, seedpods, and seed yield. The findings showed that Alternaria solani native strain IA300 may be considered a growth-promoting microorganism under field conditions. The effects on leaf area after inoculating bean plants with Alternaria were cultivar-dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial brown spot (BBS) caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae (Pss), common bacterial blight (CBB) caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli (Xap) and Xanthomonas fuscans subsp. fuscans (Xff), and halo bacterial blight (HBB), caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola (Psph), are major bacterial diseases that severely affect common bean yields and global food security. Andean-origin dry beans, representing large-seeded market classes, are particularly susceptible. Using 140,325 SNPs, a multi-locus GWAS was conducted on subsets of the Andean diversity panel (ADP) phenotyped for BBS in South Africa, CBB in Puerto Rico, South Africa, and Zambia, and HBB in South Africa, through natural infection, artificial inoculation, or both. Twenty-four QTL associated with resistance were identified: nine for BBS, eight for CBB, and seven for HBB. Four QTL intervals on Pv01, Pv03, Pv05, and Pv08 overlapped with BBS and HBB resistance. A genomic interval on Pv01, near the fin gene, which determines growth habit, was linked to resistance to all three pathogens. Different QTLs were detected for BBS and CBB resistance when phenotyped under natural infection versus artificial inoculation. These results underscore the importance of combining phenotyping methods in multi-GWAS to capture the full genetic spectrum. Previously recognized CBB resistance QTL SAP6 and SU91 and HBB resistance QTL HB4.2, and HB5.1, were observed. Other common (MAF >0.25) and rare (MAF <0.05) resistance QTL were also detected. Overall, these findings enhance the understanding and utilization of bacterial resistance present in ADP for the development of common beans with improved resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A small-scale organic crop producing the protected geographical indication (PGI) cultivar "Faba Asturiana", located in northern Spain, was considered to be a case study for analyzing the environmental impacts associated with the production of this legume (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology was employed for the analysis with a "cradle-to-gate" perspective, with 1 kg of dry beans as the functional unit. The results demonstrated that the main contributor to the environmental impacts was electricity consumption (with percentages above 75% for ionizing radiation, freshwater eutrophication, terrestrial ecotoxicity, and non-carcinogenic toxicity). A carbon footprint (CF) of 1.20 kg CO2eq per kg of dry beans was obtained (around 1000 kg CO2/ha·y). Electricity consumption was the major contributor to the CF, followed by atmospheric emissions from waste incineration and diesel use. Furthermore, some environmental improvements were suggested, and three alternative scenarios were investigated. In conclusion, it can be established that the CF of the studied PGI bean is within the range reported by other researchers for leguminous crops. The easiest way to reduce the CF for this particular crop would be to compost the organic waste instead of burning it. Additionally, the most effective strategy would be to reduce energy consumption or use renewable energy sources. For example, if the energy supply were obtained through in situ solar production, the CF could be reduced by more than 40%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phaseolus vulgaris L. is a legume of high nutraceutical value, widely cultivated and consumed. However, common bean production faces challenges such as water stress that severely affects its growth and yield. This study evaluated the morphological and physiological response of four native P. vulgaris accessions subjected to different irrigation treatments under greenhouse conditions. A completely randomized design with factorial arrangement was used, evaluating three irrigation frequencies (100%, 50%, 25%) in combination with four accessions (PER1003541, PER1003542, PER1003543, PER1003544). The results showed that with the 25% irrigation treatment, PER1003544 showed a 54.62% decrease in leaf area, while PER1003542 and PER1003543 experienced reductions of 56.56% and 59.24%, respectively. In addition, accession PER1003544 reported a smaller reduction in the number of flowers and pods, with decreases of 40.21% and 29.9%, in contrast to PER1003543, which showed decreases of 60.66% and 52.63%, respectively. Accessions PER1003541 and PER1003544 also recorded the lowest reductions in dry biomass, with 31.85% and 35.41%, respectively. Regarding yield, PER1003544 and PER1003541 experienced reductions of 59.01% and 69.79%, respectively, unlike PER1003543, which showed a 90% decrease. In relation to stomatal density, PER1003541 recorded a reduction of 28.28%, while PER1003544 had a decrease of 37.10%, and PER1003543 experienced a reduction of 47.05%; chlorophyll content showed a similar trend. Finally, PER1003544 maintained a relatively stable stomatal index, with a reduction of 29.01%, compared to PER1003543, which reduced by 60.99%. In conclusion, accession PER1003544 stands out as a promising variety for breeding programs focused on water stress tolerance, contributing to food security and agricultural sustainability in areas affected by limited water availability. However, PER1003541 would be a suitable additional option, offering farmers flexibility in their crop selection according to the specific conditions of their environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change-induced drought stress decreases crop productivity, but the application of β-sitosterol (BS) and biochar (BC) boosts crop growth and yield. A pot experiment was conducted to examine the effects of the alone and combined application of BS and BC on the growth and yield of Phaseolus vulgaris under drought stress. The synergistic application of BS and BC increased plant height (46.9 cm), shoot dry weight (6.9 g/pot), and root dry weight (2.5 g/pot) of P. vulgaris plants under drought stress. The trend of applied treatments for photosynthetic rate remained as BC (15%) < BS (28%) < BC + BS (32%), compared to drought-stressed control. Similarly, the trend of applied treatments for water use efficiency was BS < BC < BC + BS, compared to drought stress control. The levels of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide were reduced by the combined application of BS and BC under drought stress, measuring at 22.8 and 66.4 μmol/g fresh weight, respectively. The combined use of BS and BC significantly alleviated drought stress more than when applied individually. Thus, employing BS and BC together as key agents in drought-stressed common bean plants could promote resilience, fostering growth amid ongoing climate change. Co-applying β-sitosterol and biochar improved drought resilience in Phaseolus vulgaris. Nutrient uptake and biochemical metrics increased in P. vulgaris with the combined effect of β-sitosterol and biochar. This approach enhances growth parameters, suggesting resilience to climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compost is a natural and sustainable way to improve soil fertility and enhance plant growth. Moringa leaves have high mineral, cytokinin, and vitamin content which are useful for growth so that they can be used as organic fertilizer. Azotobacter and Streptomyces are from soil and have many biological activities. This study aimed to detect the importance of bioagents formula with Moringa Compost (MC) to enhance plant growth in poor sterile soil and plants were irrigated with half strength of Hoagland nutrient solution. Moringa leaves were collected and cleaned, and organic compost was prepared and analyzed for microbial and chemical composition. The prepared MC was rich in nitrogen and minerals and had high content of bacteria and fungi. The two bioagents used were isolate MB5 and MB11 which were characterized and molecular identified as Azotobacter chroococcum MB5 and Streptomyces griseus MB11. The free-living A. chroococcum can fix atmospheric nitrogen while Streptomyces is a filamentous bacterium with a high ability to produce secondary metabolites. The addition of 20% MC to soil increased soil EC and microbial counts compared to MC-free soil. Moreover, inoculation of soil with either AZ or ST increased the microbial counts and soil EC and the clearest increase was in the case of inoculation of soil with MC+AZ+ST. It also found that MC extract alone with the bacterial filtrates increases seed germination of Phaseolus vulgaris L. (common bean), which is a herbaceous annual worldwide plant, grown for its edible dry seeds or green unripe pods. In this regard, inoculation of soil with inoculum of both A. chroococcum MB5, and S. griseus MB11, in the presence of MC has the most pronounced effect and enhances both the growth, fresh and dry weights, leaf number, plant height, and root length of P. vulgaris grown under greenhouse conditions for one month and chemical content of the plant protein carbohydrates, P, N, Ca++ and K+. In conclusion, the combined application A. chroococcum MB5 and S. griseus MB11, as a biofertilizers with Moringa compost is recommended to enhance P. vulgaris growth. The use of these biofertilizers can reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, which can have detrimental effects on soil and the environment. Therefore, further research on the inoculation and application of these microorganisms with MC is essential for sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of visit of pollinator insect(Chalicodoma cincta) on the production of Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris, Rose variety), were studied at Sarh in September 2021 and 2022. The experiments were made on four treatments. The activity behavior of Chalicodoma cincta on the flower were appreciated to determinate is impact on the yield. Results indicate that among seven insect species recorded on flowers, C. cincta ranked first (31.41%) and harvested nectar. Throughout the importance of the flower visit, this insect provoked a significant increase of the podding rate (30.45 %), the mean number of seeds per pod (22.42 %) and the percentage of normal seeds (32.81%). The conservation and installation of C. cincta nests close the plantation fields is recommended to improve pod production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic information of bean seed traits can be an immense help to the breeder in selection of suitable genotypes and the appropriate breeding strategies. Therefore, the investigation aims to assess the genetic variability and to elucidate the genetic analysis of seed dietary fibre, carbohydrate, seed calcium and phosphorus contents of Phaseolus vulgaris in the high Guinean Savannah zone conditions. 5 × 5 half-diallel crosses of these traits were conducted in randomized complete block design with three replications. Results revealed high differences between five lines beans (p < 0.05), suggesting the sufficient genetic diversity for these traits. High broad sense heritability values were recorded for seed dietary fibre, carbohydrate and seed calcium content, attesting a strong implication of the genetic factors in the control of these traits; thereby, these traits can be improved through regular selection. The ratio GCA/SCA was greater than unity only for seed phosphorus content. It indicates the prevalence of additive gene effect in the involvement of the genetic control for this trait. The combining ability analysis revealed highly significant differences between parental GCA effects and F1 cross SCA effects. The PB, BI, CT and PR lines beans will prove useful in common bean breeding programmes as donor genotypes, in the development of bean genetic resources for betterment improvement of nutritional traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metal contamination in the environment, resulting from human activities or natural processes, poses a significant and widespread challenge. L-glutamic (L-glu) and L-aspartic acid (L-asp) treatments have been reported to improve plant metabolism of heavy metal-exposed plants, but the role of these amino acids in the resistance to lead (Pb2+), cadmium (Cd2+), arsenic (As3+) and nickel (Ni2+) treated-bean are unclear when applied together. This study investigated the L-glu and L-asp supplementation-induced changes in some physio-biochemical parameters and some stress-related gene expression levels in Pb2+, Cd2+, As3+, and Ni2+-stressed Phaseolus vulgaris (Elkoca and Gina) grown in nutrient solution. The combination of two L-glu and L-asp (1.5 and 3 mM) and Cd2+ (1 mM), Pb2+ (1 mM), As3+ (2 mg/L−1), and Ni2+ (1 mM) concentrations were used. The physio-biochemical parameters of the leaves were determined based on the chlorophyll content (SPAD), relative water content (RWC), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), and electrolyte conductivity (EC) contents, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) enzyme activities. Additionally, the metal tolerance protein (MTP) genes, known for their role in heavy metal detoxification, and as PvSOD, PvPOD, and PvAPX antioxidant enzyme genes were analyzed for their temporal expression patterns in leaves. Preliminary results indicate a nuanced response of PvMTPs genes, highlighting potential variations in genotype-specific expression. Among the analyzed PvMTP7, PvMTP8, PvMTP9, PvMTP10, PvMTP11, and PvMTP13 genes, PvMTP10 exhibited particularly higher expression values in all treatments. In heavy metal-exposed beans, there was a concurrent decrease in SPAD, RWC, H2O2, and MDA contents, coupled with an increase in EC values. In turn, L-glu and L-asp pretreatments decreased the harmful effects of heavy metals by increasing the SPAD and RWC values and decreasing the EC, H2O2, and MDA contents and they reached these values close to control. Also, they improved the expressions of the above-mentioned genes. The 3 mM L-glu and L-asp appear to be more effective than 1.5 mM L-glu and L-asp in alleviation of the heavy metal's toxic effects on two genotypes of bean. The findings contribute to our understanding of some stress-related gene expression levels and physio-biochemical responses under heavy metal stresses and offer insights into the potential application of L-glu and L-asp in enhancing stress tolerance in plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compost is a natural and sustainable way to improve soil fertility and enhance plant growth. Moringa leaves have high mineral, cytokinin, and vitamin content which are useful for growth so that they can be used as organic fertilizer. Azotobacter and Streptomyces are from soil and have many biological activities. This study aimed to detect the importance of bioagents formula with Moringa Compost (MC) to enhance plant growth in poor sterile soil and plants were irrigated with half strength of Hoagland nutrient solution. Moringa leaves were collected and cleaned, and organic compost was prepared and analyzed for microbial and chemical composition. The prepared MC was rich in nitrogen and minerals and had high content of bacteria and fungi. The two bioagents used were isolate MB5 and MB11 which were characterized and molecular identified as Azotobacter chroococcum MB5 and Streptomyces griseus MB11. The free-living A. chroococcum can fix atmospheric nitrogen while Streptomyces is a filamentous bacterium with a high ability to produce secondary metabolites. The addition of 20% MC to soil increased soil EC and microbial counts compared to MC-free soil. Moreover, inoculation of soil with either AZ or ST increased the microbial counts and soil EC and the clearest increase was in the case of inoculation of soil with MC+AZ+ST. It also found that MC extract alone with the bacterial filtrates increases seed germination of Phaseolus vulgaris L. (common bean), which is a herbaceous annual worldwide plant, grown for its edible dry seeds or green unripe pods. In this regard, inoculation of soil with inoculum of both A. chroococcum MB5, and S. griseus MB11, in the presence of MC has the most pronounced effect and enhances both the growth, fresh and dry weights, leaf number, plant height, and root length of P. vulgaris grown under greenhouse conditions for one month and chemical content of the plant protein carbohydrates, P, N, Ca++ and K+. In conclusion, the combined application A. chroococcum MB5 and S. griseus MB11, as a biofertilizers with Moringa compost is recommended to enhance P. vulgaris growth. The use of these biofertilizers can reduce the use of chemical fertilizers, which can have detrimental effects on soil and the environment. Therefore, further research on the inoculation and application of these microorganisms with MC is essential for sustainable agriculture.

This study aimed to evaluate the competitive ability of various maize, bean, and soybean cultivars when coexisting with different densities of Amaranthus hybridus, using a replacement series experiment conducted in completely randomized blocks with four replicates. The competitors included four maize cultivars, four bean cultivars, and two soybean cultivars, all tested against A. hybridus. The replacement series consisted of relative crop-to-A. hybridus ratios of 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100%, corresponding to 20:0, 15:5, 10:10, 5:15, and 0:20 plants per pot, respectively. Competitive ability was assessed using diagrams and relative competitiveness indices. Fifty days after plant emergence, the morphophysiological characteristics of the competing species were determined. Results indicate a negative impact on all species, with both the crop plants (maize, beans, and soybeans) and A. hybridus suffering due to competition for the same environmental resources. Interspecific competition was found to be more detrimental than intraspecific competition. Maize and bean cultivars showed greater competitive ability against A. hybridus, whereas soybeans were more adversely affected by the presence of the competitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature is a determining factor for common bean production in several regions of Brazil. This study formed a thematic collection for high temperatures of mulatto common bean from the Active Germplasm Bank of Embrapa Rice and Beans. The experiments were conducted under field conditions in suitable temperature environment (STE), and in a high temperature environment (HTE) where 94 accessions were evaluated. Joint analysis of the agronomic data obtained in these experiments, together with the database of ecogeographical and morphological characterization of mulatto common bean accessions constituted the study to elaborate the thematic collection for high temperature conditions, totaling 30 accessions, of which 28 had their root growth characterized in a rhizotron system in a greenhouse. Data analysis identified superior genotypes in relation to the studied characteristics, but there were no significant correlations. It was observed that the grain yield averages per accession in the field experiments in STE and in HTE of the 96 accessions were 2068.9 and 1227.2 kg ha−1, respectively, altered to the value of 2400.8 and 1271.5 kg ha−1 when selecting the 30 accessions which compose the thematic collection. The root architecture varied for the different evaluated accessions. The resulting thematic core collection potentially reflects the maximum diversity of mulatto common beans in a smaller sample size for high temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Laccase (LAC) gene family plays a pivotal role in plant lignin biosynthesis and adaptation to various stresses. Limited research has been conducted on laccase genes in common beans. Results 29 LAC gene family members were identified within the common bean genome, distributed unevenly in 9 chromosomes. These members were divided into 6 distinct subclades by phylogenetic analysis. Further phylogenetic analyses and synteny analyses indicated that considerable gene duplication and loss presented throughout the evolution of the laccase gene family. Purified selection was shown to be the major evolutionary force through Ka / Ks. Transcriptional changes of PvLAC genes under low temperature and salt stress were observed, emphasizing the regulatory function of these genes in such conditions. Regulation by abscisic acid and gibberellins appears to be the case for PvLAC3, PvLAC4, PvLAC7, PvLAC13, PvLAC14, PvLAC18, PvLAC23, and PvLAC26, as indicated by hormone induction experiments. Additionally, the regulation of PvLAC3, PvLAC4, PvLAC7, and PvLAC14 in response to nicosulfuron and low-temperature stress were identified by virus-induced gene silence, which demonstrated inhibition on growth and development in common beans. Conclusions The research provides valuable genetic resources for improving the resistance of common beans to abiotic stresses and enhance the understanding of the functional roles of the LAC gene family.

Crop production might suffer severe economic losses due to insufficient fertiliser availability. Specific signs of nutrient shortage influence plant morphology and physiology. This study pioneers the non-destructive tracking and characterization of nutrient deficiency symptoms in common beans using multispectral and chlorophyll fluorescence imaging, offering novel insights into the dynamic responses of plant morphology and physiology to specific nutrient shortages. Plants were cultivated in nutrient solutions with and without nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe) and control solution. Measurements were taken every three days for 12 days (MT1-MT4) of growth. K and N deficit plants had the earliest symptoms and most noticeable changes, whereas Fe deficiency plants had the slowest and least noticeable symptoms. Except for Fe, the most responsive chlorophyll fluorescence parameter was electron transport rate, which was reduced in plants from all nutrient deprivation treatments compared to control. All nutrient deficit treatments reduced leaf area at MT2, which was the most affected morphological parameter. The green leaf index, reflection in blue, and specific green were the most affected multispectral traits by nutritional deprivation. These findings demonstrate that plant nutrient deficit can be recognized and tracked non-destructively utilizing multispectral and chlorophyll fluorescence analysis. Overall, our work not only sheds light on the dynamics of nutrient deficiency in common bean plants but also offers practical implications for improving crop management strategies using non-destructive digital technology.

Abstract Vertical transmission, the transfer of pathogens across generations, is a critical mechanism for the persistence of plant viruses. The transmission mechanisms are diverse, involving direct invasion through the suspensor and virus entry into developing gametes before achieving symplastic isolation. Despite the progress in understanding vertical virus transmission, the environmental factors influencing this process remain largely unexplored. We investigated the complex interplay between vertical transmission of plant viruses and pollination dynamics, focusing on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). The intricate relationship between plants and pollinators, especially bees, is essential for global ecosystems and crop productivity. We explored the impact of virus infection on seed transmission rates, with a particular emphasis on bean common mosaic virus (BCMV), bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV), and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Under controlled growth conditions, BCMNV exhibited the highest seed transmission rate, followed by BCMV and CMV. Notably, in the field, bee-pollinated BCMV-infected plants showed a reduced transmission rate compared to self-pollinated plants. This highlights the influence of pollinators on virus transmission dynamics. The findings demonstrate the virus-specific nature of seed transmission and underscore the importance of considering environmental factors, such as pollination, in understanding and managing plant virus spread.

Abstract Background Green bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Fam.: Leguminosae) is a widely consumed grain legume prized for its edible seeds and pods. It is susceptible to infestations with various pests as insects and mites throughout the growing season. In this study, the efficacy of the predatory species, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens), Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot and the entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) Metarhizium anisopliae (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae), as well as conventional pesticides, Mospilan and Vertimec, were evaluated against the most important pests, mainly the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) and the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, infesting the green beans cultivated at two locations Giza and El-Menoufia Governorates in Egypt. Results The findings demonstrate that treatments using C. carnea and M. anisopliae effectively reduced the whitefly population, while pesticide treatments were comparatively less effective. In the Giza plots, at the end of the experiments, the use of both M. anisopliae and C. carnea showed high reductions in whitefly population (85.57 and 84.87%), respectively, while in El-Menoufia, C. carnea (97.74%) was the most effective treatment followed by M. anisopliae (90.32%). Pesticide treatment in this case yielded a reduction rate of (22.76 and 59.67%) in Giza and El-Menoufia plots, respectively. However, for spider mite control, P. persimilis proved to be the most effective treatment in Giza and El-Menoufia plots, reducing the spider mite population to 98.44 and 96.14%, respectively. Metarhizium anisopliae treatment also displayed moderate effectiveness, with reduction rates of 75.62 and 75.37% in Giza and El-Menoufia plots, respectively. In comparison, pesticide treatment showed low effectiveness, with reduction rates of only 23.92 and 53.16% in the two locations, respectively. Conclusion Applications of the predator, C. carnea and the EPF, M. anisopliae were highly effective in reducing the population of whitefly, while the predator mite P. persimilis proved to be the most effective for controlling the spider mites. Overall, the study suggests that biocontrol agents, such as the predators and the EPF, can be considered as alternatives to synthetic chemical pesticides for controlling pests infesting green beans.

AbstractDiseases affecting the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) have resulted in significant productivity losses, with root-knot nematodes, such as Meloidogyne javanica, being a primary factor, particularly in sandy soils. This study aimed to identify the most effective source of nitrogen (N) for the common bean crop in an area infested with M. javanica. A completely randomized 4 × 6 factorial design was employed, involving four genotypes (IDR Bem-te-vi, IDR Sabiá, IDR Tuiuiú, and IDR Curió) most cultivated in southern Brazil, and five N sources (urea, sodium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, and inoculant), plus control without N fertilization, with four replicates. All four common bean genotypes were susceptible to the nematode, exhibiting a reproduction factor (RF) exceeding 1.0. A direct correlation was observed between root volume and grain yield (GY). The IDR Tuiuiú was the most sensitive to the nematode, producing 36.2% less than the IDR Bem-te-vi. Among the N sources, regardless of genotype, urea and ammonium nitrate were the most effective in enhancing common bean productivity in soil infested with M. javanica, irrespective of the genotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to determine the best method to establish optimal timing of fungicide applications on corn (Zea mays), soybean (Glycine max), and bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris), by comparing results based on the calendar versus agrometeorological data. The experimental design was arranged in randomised blocks with three treatments and eight repetitions. Treatments consisted of control (without application of fungicides), application of fungicides based on the calendar (after establishing the need for chemical control, sprays occurring at intervals of 15 days), or by indication of the AgroDetecta™ programme (based on agrometeorological data). The variables evaluated were: disease incidence and severity, area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), income components, and economic return. Among the integrated disease management tools investigated, it was concluded that chemical control improves crop health and yield for corn, soybean, and bean plants, especially when timing of treatment application is based on the calendar. The programme AgroDetecta™ showed promise as a decision-making tool for the best timing to spray, but requires adjustments for commercial use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although cowpea mild mottle virus (CPMMV) has been reported in Brazil since 1983, it has only become a significant concern for researchers and farmers in recent years. The objective of this work was to investigate the genetic basis of CPMMV tolerance, mapping and reporting the first loci associated with this trait in common bean (cv. BRS Sublime). Phenotypic assays were carried out on 180 individual plants (F2 generation) and 180 F2:3 progenies comprising 12 plants per family and their parents (BRS Sublime, tolerant parent × CNFCT 16207, susceptible parent). CPMMV was mechanically inoculated and symptoms were evaluated at 35 days after inoculation, using a 1–5 scoring scale. A linkage map was constructed using 1695 single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and SilicoDArT markers that segregated in the F2 and F2:3 generations as expected. Markers were distributed across 11 common bean chromosomes, resulting in a total length of 2864 cM, with an average distance between markers of 1.8 cM. Phenotypic observations revealed that tolerance in cv. BRS Sublime is controlled by a single dominant gene. The main effect quantitative trait locus (QTL; CPMMV.Pv08) associated with CPMMV tolerance was identified in the terminal region on chromosome 8 (Pv08). This QTL explained approximately 77% of phenotypic variation, indicating that the inheritance of tolerance to CPMMV is monogenic, controlled by a major locus. As far as we know, this study represents the first investigation into the inheritance and genetic mapping of CPMMV tolerance in common bean, with potential for the development of elite lines with multiple virus resistance/tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is widely recognized that foods, biodiversity, and human health are strongly interconnected, and many efforts have been made to understand the nutraceutical value of diet. In particular, diet can affect the progression of intestinal diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and intestinal cancer. In this context, we studied the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of extracts obtained from a local endangered variety of Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Fagiola di Venanzio, FV). Using in vitro intestinal cell models, we evaluated the activity of three different extracts: soaking water, cooking water, and the bioaccessible fraction obtained after mimicking the traditional cooking procedure and gastrointestinal digestion. We demonstrated that FV extracts reduce inflammation and oxidative stress prompted by interleukin 1β through the inhibition of cyclooxygenase 2 expression and prostaglandin E2 production and through the reduction in reactive oxygen species production and NOX1 levels. The reported data outline the importance of diet in the prevention of human inflammatory diseases. Moreover, they strongly support the necessity to safeguard local biodiversity as a source of bioactive compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Laccase (LAC) gene family plays a pivotal role in plant lignin biosynthesis and adaptation to various stresses. Limited research has been conducted on laccase genes in common beans. Results: 29 LAC gene family members were identified within the common bean genome, distributed unevenly in 9 chromosomes. These members were divided into 6 distinct subclades by phylogenetic analysis. Further phylogenetic analyses and synteny analyses indicated that considerable gene duplication and loss presented throughout the evolution of the laccase gene family. Purified selection was shown to be the major evolutionary force through Ka / Ks. Transcriptional changes of PvLAC genes under low temperature and salt stress were observed, emphasizing the regulatory function of these genes in such conditions. Regulation by abscisic acid and gibberellins appears to be the case for PvLAC3, PvLAC4, PvLAC7, PvLAC13, PvLAC14, PvLAC18, PvLAC23, and PvLAC26, as indicated by hormone induction experiments. Additionally, the regulation of PvLAC3, PvLAC4, PvLAC7, and PvLAC14 in response to nicosulfuron and low-temperature stress were identified by virus-induced gene silence, which demonstrated inhibition on growth and development in common beans. Conclusions: The research provides valuable genetic resources for improving the resistance of common beans to abiotic stresses and enhance the understanding of the functional roles of the LAC gene family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High solar radiation, combined with high temperature, causes losses in plant production. The application of foliar protector in plants is associated with improvements in photosynthesis, reduction in leaf temperature and, consequently, improved productivity. Two experiments were conducted. The first aimed to assess the efficacy of foliar protector versus artificial shading in mitigating the negative impacts of excessive radiation and temperature on the physiology, growth, and yield of common bean plants. The second experiment focused on comparing the timing in cycle plants (phenological phases) of foliar protector application in two different bean cultivars (BRS Fc 104 and BRS MG Realce) under field conditions. Artificial shading provided better results for photosynthesis, transpiration, growth and production compared to the application of foliar protector. In the field conditions experiment, the application timing of the foliar protector at different phenological phases did not increase productivity in the cultivars. The application of foliar protector under the conditions studied was not effective in mitigating the negative impacts of high solar radiation and temperature on common bean cultivation. However, it is opportune to evaluate the application of foliar protector in bean plants grown under conditions with water deficit, high solar radiation and high temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Effective weed management tools are crucial for maintaining the profitable production of snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Preemergence herbicides help the crop to gain a size advantage over the weeds, but the few preemergence herbicides registered in snap bean have poor waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus) control, a major pest in snap bean production. Waterhemp and other difficult-to-control weeds can be managed by flumioxazin, an herbicide that inhibits protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO). However, there is limited knowledge about crop tolerance to this herbicide. We aimed to quantify the degree of snap bean tolerance to flumioxazin and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: We investigated the genetic basis of herbicide tolerance using genome-wide association mapping approach utilizing field-collected data from a snap bean diversity panel, combined with gene expression data of cultivars with contrasting response. The response to a preemergence application of flumioxazin was measured by assessing plant population density and shoot biomass variables. Results: Snap bean tolerance to flumioxazin is associated with a single genomic location in chromosome 02. Tolerance is influenced by several factors, including those that are indirectly affected by seed size/weight and those that directly impact the herbicide's metabolism and protect the cell from reactive oxygen species-induced damage. Transcriptional profiling and co-expression network analysis identified biological pathways likely involved in flumioxazin tolerance, including oxidoreductase processes and programmed cell death. Transcriptional regulation of genes involved in those processes is possibly orchestrated by a transcription factor located in the region identified in the GWAS analysis. Several entries belonging to the Romano class, including Bush Romano 350, Roma II, and Romano Purpiat presented high levels of tolerance in this study. The alleles identified in the diversity panel that condition snap bean tolerance to flumioxazin shed light on a novel mechanism of herbicide tolerance and can be used in crop improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) can provide the necessary nitrogen for bean crops; however, for this to occur, important limitations involving the inoculant application technology need to be overcome.The use of co-inoculation is a management technique used to obtain benefits and increase the potential of N2 fixation from the association between bacteria from the rhizobia group, such as R. tropici, and bacteria that promote plant growth, such as A. brasilense, in association with the addition of nutrients that allow greater efficiency of bacteria fixing atmospheric N2. This study aimed to evaluate the bean response to the reinoculation of R. tropici in co-inoculation with A. brasilense in a mixture with the micronutrients Co/Mo, in the winter season of 2021, in Anápolis-GO, Brazil. A randomized block design was used, with four replications, and the following treatments (TRs) were studied: TR1—reinoculation with R. tropici; TR2—reinoculation with co-inoculation of R. tropici + A. brasilense; TR3—reinoculation of R. tropici + Mo/Co micronutrients; TR4—reinoculation with co-inoculation R. tropici + A. brasilense + Mo/Co micronutrients; TR5—inoculation via seed, without reinoculation; TR6—mineral N fertilization in the sowing furrow and topdressing; TR7—control, without any N source. At stage R6, nodulation characteristics (number and dry mass of nodules) and the morphophysiological parameters of the plants (main root length, root dry mass, plant height, shoot dry mass, leaf area, and leaf N content in the shoot) were evaluated. At harvest, the final plant stand and components (number of pods per plant, number of grains per pod, and average weight of one hundred grains) were determined, in addition to grain yield. It was concluded that inoculation followed by reinoculation in topdressing with R. tropici in co-inoculation with A. brasilense plus Mo/Co, compared to mineral nitrogen fertilization, improves the efficiency of the nodulation process and the morphophysiological characteristics of the common bean crop. Seed inoculation and topdressing application with R. tropici, associated with co-inoculation with A. brasilense + Mo and Co, have the potential to completely replace mineral nitrogen fertilization in common bean crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bean scab caused by Elsinoë phaseoli is a major challenge to common bean cultivation in Kenya. However, knowledge about its epidemiology and management is limited. This study conducted three experiments in Kakamega, Kenya, evaluating scab inoculum sources and control options. The first experiment evaluated three different inoculum sources over two seasons; bean crop residue caused the highest scab incidence in both the 2021 (62.1%) and 2022 (81.1%) seasons. The second experiment assessed the effect of rotation history on scab over three seasons. Scab incidence consistently surpassed 90% within the first 30 days after planting in half‐yearly rotated fields across all seasons, while the disease was absent after planting in fields with no recent history of legumes. Fields rotated out of legumes consistently had the highest grain yield, averaging 1.5 t ha−1 over the seasons. Additionally, the rotation land treatment displayed significantly more pods per plant during the 2021 (9.7), 2022a (9.8), and 2022b (12.5) seasons. In the third experiment, the impact of five fungicides and four cropping systems on bean scab was investigated over two seasons. Neither fungicide treatments nor cropping systems had an effect on bean scab incidence even when only severe symptoms were considered. Carbendazim had the highest yield (1.9 t ha−1) outperforming the unsprayed control only in the 2022 season while none of the other fungicides outperformed the control treatment in yield parameters in either season. This study emphasizes the challenge of managing bean scab without proper crop rotation and underscores the role of crop residue as a critical inoculum source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), besides being an important source of nutrients such as iron, magnesium, and protein, are crucial for food security, especially in developing countries. Common bean cultivation areas commonly face production challenges due to drought occurrences, mainly during the reproductive period. Dry spells last approximately 20 days, enough time to compromise production. Hence, it is crucial to understand the genetic and molecular mechanisms that confer drought tolerance to improve common bean cultivars' adaptation to drought. Sixty six RNASeq libraries, generated from tolerant and sensitive cultivars in drought time sourced from the R5 phenological stage at 0 to 20 days of water deficit were sequenced, generated over 1.5 billion reads, that aligned to 62,524 transcripts originating from a reference transcriptome, as well as 6673 transcripts obtained via de novo assembly. Differentially expressed transcripts were functionally annotated, revealing a variety of genes associated with molecular functions such as oxidoreductase and transferase activity, as well as biological processes related to stress response and signaling. The presence of regulatory genes involved in signaling cascades and transcriptional control was also highlighted, for example, LEA proteins and dehydrins associated with dehydration protection, and transcription factors such as WRKY, MYB, and NAC, which modulate plant response to water deficit. Additionally, genes related to membrane and protein protection, as well as water and ion uptake and transport, were identified, including aquaporins, RING-type E3 ubiquitin transferases, antioxidant enzymes such as GSTs and CYPs, and thioredoxins. This study highlights the complexity of plant response to water scarcity, focusing on the functional diversity of the genes involved and their participation in the biological processes essential for plant adaptation to water stress. The identification of regulatory and cell protection genes offers promising prospects for genetic improvement aiming at the production of common bean varieties more resistant to drought. These findings have the potential to drive sustainable agriculture, providing valuable insights to ensure food security in a context of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In crop growing, biostimulants are currently used to improve the advance and yield of crops. These biostimulants showed successful effects in various crops against severe stress factors. Therefore, integrative studies are required to define the usage of such products in agriculture. This study investigated the valuable impacts of biostimulants on the growth parameters of green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) in Morocco known for its harsh climatic conditions. Equally, we studied the effect on the soil characteristics. The growth parameters were the number, length, and weight of leaves and pods, and were measured after, 21, 29, 35, 42, and 49 days of cultivation. The soil parameters were organic matter, macro-elements, and microelements. The obtained results exposed that the number of leaves was enhanced by 52.95 % in plants treated with biostimulants, while the improvement of foliar weight was estimated at 83.45 %. The treatment improved the weight of pods by 50 % after 75 days and by 63.65 % after 90 days. Similarly, the treatment improved the length of pods by 48 % after 75 days and by 78 % after 90 days. The improvement of growth parameters was in a time-dependent manner. These results are the first to clarify the faculty of biostimulants to enhance the growth performance of green beans under North African climatic and soil circumstances. However, more experiments are desired to evaluate the optimum quantities of biostimulants needed to get the maximum yield. Equally, future research is required to assess the influence of biostimulants on the nutritive quality of fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertical transmission, the transfer of pathogens across generations, is a critical mechanism for the persistence of plant viruses. The transmission mechanisms are diverse, involving direct invasion through the suspensor and virus entry into developing gametes before achieving symplastic isolation. Despite the progress in understanding vertical virus transmission, the environmental factors influencing this process remain largely unexplored. We investigated the complex interplay between vertical transmission of plant viruses and pollination dynamics, focusing on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). The intricate relationship between plants and pollinators, especially bees, is essential for global ecosystems and crop productivity. We explored the impact of virus infection on seed transmission rates, with a particular emphasis on bean common mosaic virus (BCMV), bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV), and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). Under controlled growth conditions, BCMNV exhibited the highest seed transmission rate, followed by BCMV and CMV. Notably, in the field, bee-pollinated BCMV-infected plants showed a reduced transmission rate compared to self-pollinated plants. This highlights the influence of pollinators on virus transmission dynamics. The findings demonstrate the virus-specific nature of seed transmission and underscore the importance of considering environmental factors, such as pollination, in understanding and managing plant virus spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthracnose, white mold, powdery mildew, and root rot caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, Scletorinia sclerotiorum, Erysiphe spp., and Pythium ultimum, respectively, are among the most frequent diseases that cause significant production losses worldwide in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Reactions against these four fungal diseases were investigated under controlled conditions using a diversity panel of 311 bean lines for snap consumption (Snap bean Panel). The genomic regions involved in these resistance responses were identified based on a genome-wide association study conducted with 16,242 SNP markers. The highest number of resistant lines was observed against the three C. lindemuthianum isolates evaluated: 156 lines were resistant to CL124 isolate, 146 lines resistant to CL18, and 109 lines were resistant to C531 isolate. Two well-known anthracnose resistance clusters were identified, the Co-2 on chromosome Pv11 for isolates CL124 and CL18, and the Co-3 on chromosome Pv04 for isolates CL124 and C531. In addition, other lesser-known regions of anthracnose resistance were identified on chromosomes Pv02, Pv06, Pv08, and Pv10. For the white mold isolate tested, 24 resistant lines were identified and the resistance was localized to three different positions on chromosome Pv08. For the powdery mildew local isolate, only 12 resistant lines were identified, and along with the two previous resistance genes on chromosomes Pv04 and Pv11, a new region on chromosome Pv06 was also identified. For root rot caused by Pythium, 31 resistant lines were identified and two main regions were located on chromosomes Pv04 and Pv05. Relevant information for snap bean breeding programs was provided in this work. A total of 20 lines showed resistant or intermediate responses against four or five isolates, which can be suitable for sustainable farm production and could be used as resistance donors. Potential genes and genomic regions to be considered for targeted improvement were provided, including new or less characterized regions that should be validated in future works. Powdery mildew disease was identified as a potential risk for snap bean production and should be considered a main goal in breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Green bean, Phaseolus vulgaris L. (Fam.: Leguminosae) is a widely consumed grain legume prized for its edible seeds and pods. It is susceptible to infestations with various pests as insects and mites throughout the growing season. In this study, the efficacy of the predatory species, Chrysoperla carnea (Stephens), Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot and the entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) Metarhizium anisopliae (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae), as well as conventional pesticides, Mospilan and Vertimec, were evaluated against the most important pests, mainly the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) and the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, infesting the green beans cultivated at two locations Giza and El-Menoufia Governorates in Egypt. Results: The findings demonstrate that treatments using C. carnea and M. anisopliae effectively reduced the whitefly population, while pesticide treatments were comparatively less effective. In the Giza plots, at the end of the experiments, the use of both M. anisopliae and C. carnea showed high reductions in whitefly population (85.57 and 84.87%), respectively, while in El-Menoufia, C. carnea (97.74%) was the most effective treatment followed by M. anisopliae (90.32%). Pesticide treatment in this case yielded a reduction rate of (22.76 and 59.67%) in Giza and El-Menoufia plots, respectively. However, for spider mite control, P. persimilis proved to be the most effective treatment in Giza and El-Menoufia plots, reducing the spider mite population to 98.44 and 96.14%, respectively. Metarhizium anisopliae treatment also displayed moderate effectiveness, with reduction rates of 75.62 and 75.37% in Giza and El-Menoufia plots, respectively. In comparison, pesticide treatment showed low effectiveness, with reduction rates of only 23.92 and 53.16% in the two locations, respectively. Conclusion: Applications of the predator, C. carnea and the EPF, M. anisopliae were highly effective in reducing the population of whitefly, while the predator mite P. persimilis proved to be the most effective for controlling the spider mites. Overall, the study suggests that biocontrol agents, such as the predators and the EPF, can be considered as alternatives to synthetic chemical pesticides for controlling pests infesting green beans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beans are a traditional grain crop consumed by humans that is of great importance for food security and farmers in terms of income in Brazil. Paraná is one of the largest bean-producing states in the country, but the area needed for its production is being lost, changing the dynamics of bean cultivation, and generating social and economic impacts. The objective of this study was to verify the spatiotemporal and economic dynamics of bean production in Paraná. For this purpose, using mainly data from the 2006 and 2017 agricultural censuses, the location quotient, the Hirschman–Herfindahl Index (HHI), the Williamson coefficient (V w), exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA), and principal component analysis (PCA) were applied. From the results, it was possible to verify that there was a 13.95% reduction in the number of municipalities that specialized in bean production, from 98 municipalities in 2006 to 86 in 2017. Most specialized municipalities produced black beans or a combination of other colored beans. The HHI revealed that the specialized municipalities accounted for the most income from bean production. The V w indicated that the economic development of the central-eastern and southeastern Paraná mesoregions was related to bean production. Based on the ESDA, it was found a statistically significant and positive presence of spatial concentration in 2006 (Moran' I = 0.36) and 2017 (Moran' I = 0.51). Based on the PCA, it was possible to identify two main components that together explained 71.52% of the data variability. The reduction in the planted area, the decrease in the number of specialized municipalities, and the concentration of income from bean production in some municipalities make it difficult to reduce regional disparities in Paraná, and in addition, these factors increase concern about food security; thus, public policies are needed to reduce such impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zabrotes subfasciatus (Boheman) is one of the main pests of storage beans, affecting common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in tropical world regions. The aim of this study was to evaluate antixenosis of two P. vulgaris genotypes to Z. subfasciatus and the emission of volatile compounds from seeds of these genotypes. Antixenosis in adults and oviposition was evaluated using the obligate antibiosis test, on 'G11051' and 'ICA Pijao' genotypes of common bean to Z. subfasciatus. The volatile compounds of their seeds related to antixenosis were also evaluated. The number of adult insects away from seeds, the percentage of eggs in seeds and the container and the number of total eggs were counted. The presence of volatile compounds was determined by headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS). Genotype 'G11051' showed higher adult antixenosis (80% non-preference) and antixenosis by oviposition on their seeds than 'ICA Pijao' genotype which showed only 11% repellency. Significant statistical differences were found in the volatile compounds detected. 'G11051' showed 65 compounds and 22 specific to this genotype, while in 'ICA Pijao', 53 compounds were detected, eight of which were specific to this genotype. Of these, dimethyl disulfide, limonene, (E)-2-hexenal and hexanal showed known antixenotic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), one of the most important cultivated legumes, requires a high level of water. It is included among the most sensitive species to climate change; drought and salinity cause a reduction in photosynthesis, metabolic and enzymatic alterations, and oxidative stress. To improve crop tolerance to salt, seed priming and acclimation can be useful tools. To test the salt tolerance of beans, a preliminary screening was undertaken on four cultivars of P. vulgaris (Black Turtle, Cargamanto, Bola Roja, Borlotto) by exposing the seeds to different levels of salinity. The salt-sensitive cultivar Borlotto was chosen for experimental greenhouse trials to study the effects of halopriming and acclimation. Primed and non-primed seeds were sown in non-saline soil and acclimated for 2 weeks; then, the plants were watered with non-saline and saline solutions for 4 weeks. At the end of this growth period, the primed plants showed a marked increase in salt stress tolerance, improving the chlorophyll content, phenolic compounds, and many enzymes' activities, in turn reducing the effect of salt on growth and fruit production compared to the non-primed controls. In conclusion, halopriming can be considered a useful tool to enhance salinity tolerance in beans and other salt-sensitive crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of plant-based preparations to replace chemical pesticides is a challenge for sustainable agriculture. Preparations from nettle (Urtica dioica L.) are good candidates, as the treatment of common bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) with aqueous suspensions of nettle reduced symptoms of halo blight disease caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola (Pph). The aim of the present work was to test if nettle infusions (Ui) have similar effects and find out what activity is behind this: antimicrobial, promotion of the natural defenses of plants, and/or antioxidant. To achieve this, Pph growth was tested in the presence of infusions of nettle leaves collected in two different years (Ui18 and Ui22), and we found that it was only weakly inhibited at high concentrations of Ui18. Interestingly, Ui22 promoted bacteria growth at all concentrations. Second, we estimated the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to flagellin22 (flg22) in common bean leaf discs, since recognition of this bacterial peptide usually leads to ROS accumulation in tissues as a plant immune response. However, leaf discs that were preincubated in Ui showed no accumulation of ROS after flg22 treatment, suggesting that Ui can neutralize ROS production. Finally, in a Pph inoculation experiment of common bean plants grown in vitro, we observed that pretreatment of plants with Ui drastically reduced foliar oxidative damage and disease symptoms 6 h after inoculation. This effect was more noticeable for Ui22, which was related to the higher antioxidant activity found in this extract in comparison with Ui18. These results suggest that the protective properties of Ui are mainly due to the content of antioxidant bioactive compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought limits the growth and development of Phaseolus vulgaris L. (known as common bean). Common bean plants contain various phenylpropanoids, but it is not known whether the levels of these metabolites are altered by drought. Here, BT6 and BT44, two white bean recombinant inbred lines (RILs), were cultivated under severe drought. Their respective growth and phenylpropanoid profiles were compared to those of well-irrigated plants. Both RILs accumulated much less biomass in their vegetative parts with severe drought, which was associated with more phaseollin and phaseollinisoflavan in their roots relative to well-irrigated plants. A sustained accumulation of coumestrol was evident in BT44 roots with drought. Transient alterations in the leaf profiles of various phenolic acids occurred in drought-stressed BT6 and BT44 plants, including the respective accumulation of two separate caftaric acid isomers and coutaric acid (isomer 1) relative to well-irrigated plants. A sustained rise in fertaric acid was observed in BT44 with drought stress, whereas the greater amount relative to well-watered plants was transient in BT6. Apart from kaempferol diglucoside (isomer 2), the concentrations of most leaf flavonol glycosides were not altered with drought. Overall, fine tuning of leaf and root phenylpropanoid profiles occurs in white bean plants subjected to severe drought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: The study of adaptability, stability, and productivity is essential for selecting and recommending superior genotypes. This fact is particularly the case for the introduction of common bean cultivars in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, whose production is negligible and does not meet the internal demand. Thus, this study estimated genetic parameters and selection gains and undertake a simultaneous selection for adaptability, stability, and productivity in black bean genotypes via mixed models. The investigation was carried out in three municipalities in the state of Rio de Janeiro during three crop years. The trials were set up in a randomized block design with 11 genotypes and three replications. High mean heritability (81%) and selection accuracy (90%), as well as good selection prospects, were observed. Gains between 1.03 and 9.49% were achieved for grain yield. Simultaneous selection was efficient, indicating two black bean lines (CNFP 15290 and CNFP 15361) as the most productive, adaptable, and stable. As such, these lines have the potential to be released as new black bean cultivars for the state of Rio de Janeiro.

IntroductionStress-induced volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that induce plant immunity bear potential for biocontrol. Here, we explore the potential of nonanal to enhance the seed yield of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) under open field conditions that are realistic for smallholder farmers.Methods and resultsUsing plastic cups with a nonanal-containing lanolin paste as low-cost dispensers, we observed that exposure of Flor de Junio Marcela (FJM) plants over 48h to airborne nonanal was followed by a 3-fold higher expression of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes PR1 and PR4. Both genes further increased their expression in response to subsequent challenge with the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. Therefore, we conclude that nonanal causes resistance gene priming. This effect was associated with ca. 2.5-fold lower infection rates and a 2-fold higher seed yield. Offspring of nonanal-exposed FJM plants exhibited a 10% higher emergence rate and a priming of PR1- and PR4-expression, which was associated with decreased infection by C. lindemuthianum and, ultimately, a ca. 3-fold increase in seed yield by anthracnose-infected offspring of nonanal-exposed plants. Seeds of nonanal-exposed and of challenged plants contained significantly more phenolic compounds (increase by ca 40%) and increased antioxidant and radical scavenging activity. Comparative studies including five widely used bean cultivars revealed 2-fold to 3-fold higher seed yield for nonanal-exposed plants. Finally, a cost-benefit analysis indicated a potential economic net profit of nonanal exposure for some, but not all cultivars.OutlookWe consider nonanal as a promising candidate for an affordable tool that allows low-income smallholder farmers to increase the yield of an important staple-crop without using pesticides

Abstract Research aimed at investigating the ideal plant arrangement system of common beans under intercropping with castor hybrids is necessary, as intercropping is a common practice in Brazil, and this practice affects the morphophysiological behavior of both crops. The objective of this study was to evaluate the consociation systems of common bean plants with small-sized castor hybrid, in three agricultural years, in the edaphoclimatic conditions of the Cerrado of Goiás, Brazil. In the three experiments, the randomized block design with four repetitions was used, involving the combination of five simultaneous sowing systems: beans sown on the castor row, on the inter-row, on the row + inter-row and beans and castor in monocropping. The bean cultivar used was Pérola; for castor the Agima hybrid was used. The plant height, primary yield components and the yield of the beans were evaluated, while for castor was evaluated the plant height, stem diameter, number of racemes per plant, plus the yield, in addition to the area equivalence index (AEI) to verify the efficiency of the intercropping. The arrangement of bean plants cv. Pérola on row and row + inter-row of the Agima 110204 castor hybrid provides higher yields of the legume. The yield of castor hybrids is not influenced by the common bean crop. The growing of common bean and the castor hybrid in the intercropping system is more efficient than the monocropping of both crops.

The fermentation of chicken feather wastes into valuable products, such as organic liquid fertilizer by Serratia marcescens and Klebsiellia pneumoniae could serve as a great advantage for sustainable agricultural practices. Hence, the objective of this paper was to assess the growth-enhancing potential ofchicken feather waste hydrolyzed bySerratia marcescens and Klebsiella pneumoniae for cultivation of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)and cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata)obtained from Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria using appropriate standard techniques.The proximate compositions of the chicken feather waste showed 77% crude protein content.The chicken feather waste has a mineral composition of 4.20% Nitrogen, 4.06% Phosphorus, and 0.32% Magnesium, the lowest. 76% and 72% of chicken feather waste were degraded by Serratia marcescens BKM-2 and Klebsiella pneumoniae BKM-3 respectively. The results showed that 30 ml of KlebsiellapneumoniaeBKM-3 feather waste hydrolysate, has its best growth performance observed forPhaseolus vulgaris and Vigna unguiculata cultivars with 20.74 cm plant height, 4.56 cm leaf length, and 5.00 number of leaves and 24.37 cm plant height, 3.74 cm leaf length with 5.00 number of leaves at 15 days respectively compared to 15 ml and 45 ml.

ABSTRACT Given the large differences in the results of inoculation and co-inoculation in the bean crop, an experiment in cultivating winter beans was carried out in 2019 under greenhouse conditions with the aim of evaluating the performance of the beans and a possible increase in plant growth and grain production, using seeds inoculated or co-inoculated with Rhizobium tropici and Azospirillum brasilense, with and without fungicide and/or insecticide, in sandy and clayey soils. A total of 112 pots were used, and 14 treatments were applied in a completely randomised experimental design, with four replications. The Scott-Knott test was used to analyse the results, and showed that whether using untreated seeds or carrying out complete chemical treatment with fungicide and insecticide plus co-inoculation with R. tropici and A. brasilense, winter bean production was reduced in clayey soil, while the joint use of fungicide and insecticide, fungicide and R. tropici, or fungicide, insecticide and R. tropici, favoured shoot development. Inoculating with A. brasilense, without R. tropici and with insecticide, or insecticide and fungicide, favoured greater root growth in clayey soil. In sandy soil, grain production was higher using seeds treated solely with insecticide, solely with R. tropici, or with a combination of both. Production was lower in the joint treatment with fungicide, insecticide and the co-inoculation of bacteria, or when using insecticide together with A. brasilense.