Legume Science最新文献

A growing demand for plant-based proteins and renewable nitrogen supplies has necessitated an intensification of legume cultivation in Europe. However, the cultivation of grain legumes is inherently exposed to various risks, including lodging and fungal infections. Mixed cropping of pea (Pisum sativum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) presents a promising approach to increase plant-based protein production while also improving yield stability. We performed a multi-environment-mixed cropping comparison with pure pea and pure barley to determine the effects of the cultivation method on root rot resistance, N supply in successive crops, grain yield, and economic performance. While the economic performance was similar for pure pea and mixed cropping, we observed a lower variability of the farmer's gross margin in mixed cropping compared with pure cropping across 3 years and two locations. Especially in seasons with high precipitation, the mixed cropping approach prevented lodging and harvest losses. The N supply in the successive crop was equal or higher in mixed cropping compared with pure pea cropping. No variation in the pea root rot infestation levels was observed between mixed and pure cropping, indicating a general demand for resistance breeding. Our experiment indicated genotype-specific effects on the gross margin in regard to culture (pure pea and mixed cropping). Leafy genotypes in particular demonstrate substantial performance gains when cultivated in mixed cropping systems. The conclusion is that mixed cropping leads to similarly positive crop rotation nitrogen effects as pure pea cropping, with the advantage of reduced gross margin and yield variability.

Lentils are highly nutritious as they are rich in both proteins and starch, making them a crucial component of the human diet. This review article focuses on the morphology, microstructure, and pasting properties of lentil starch (LS). The LS exhibits poor crystallinity due to its high amylose-to-amylopectin ratio as reflected in its pasting behavior. The shapes of the LS granule range a wide variety, starting from huge ovals to small rounds, as captured in the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy displays the arrangement of starch molecules at the vicinity of the granule surface and detects the presence of additional functional groups in the modified starches. X-ray diffraction (XRD) demonstrates both the qualitative and quantitative alterations in the crystalline domains of starch granules effectively. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), in particular ¹³C CP/MAS have successfully examined the structural order of amylolyzed LS concentrations and amylose–lipid complex at the molecular level. This review might be of interest to the professionals involved in food and pharmaceuticals on product development using lentil as one of the ingredients in their formulations.

The increasing demand for plant-based food products by consumers along with the growing global population requires the discovery of novel and sustainable protein sources to address environmental challenges and meet nutritional requirements. Among various plant proteins, mung bean protein (MBP) exhibits several unique characteristics that make it a valuable ingredient in the field of plant-based food analogs. This literature review aims to express the unique structure and composition of MBP, in addition to its physicochemical, functional, and nutritional properties. Furthermore, its potential applications in novel meat, dairy, and egg analogs are highlighted to meet the growing demand for sustainable, nutritious, and delicious plant-based food alternatives. Structurally, MBP consists of a complex arrangement of amino acids, forming a globular protein with distinct functional properties. Its composition is also rich in essential amino acids, particularly leucine and lysine, making it a promising protein source for plant-based diets. From a techno-functional perspective, MBP exhibits remarkable gelling, emulsifying, foaming, and binding properties, which are necessary for the development of stable emulsions, airy foams, firm gels, and cohesive textures in various plant-based food formulations. Moreover, MBP and its derivatives can possess notable bio-functional properties, including antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory benefits, as well as cholesterol-lowering, anti-obesity, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and anticancer effects. Consequently, the production of food analogs based on MBP not only improves the techno-functional attributes of the final products but also can promote consumer health and well-being.

Cooking time (CT), post-harvest darkening (PHD), and micronutrient content influence consumer preference of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties. The objective of this study was to evaluate Andean genotypes for CT, PHD, and seed iron and zinc concentration. A total of 52 genotypes belonging to three market classes, namely, purple-speckled (Kabulangeti), yellows, and cranberry (sugar beans), were grown at the Golden Valley Agricultural Research Trust (GART) Farm and the Mpika Research Farm in Zambia and assessed for CT, PHD, and seed iron and zinc concentration. The fastest cooking genotype among all 52 genotypes was a yellow genotype, Y1612-5. Yellow genotypes generally cooked faster than the Kabulangeti and sugar types. Among the elite lines with Kabulangeti seed types, which is a dominant market class in Zambia, the elite line K175 had faster CT and higher iron and zinc concentration than the Kabulangeti landrace race currently available on the Zambian market. Kabulangeti and sugar genotypes showed regular darkening, whereas yellows did not darken. The yellow genotype Y1612-3 was particularly outstanding because of its unique combination of high concentrations of both iron and zinc. Therefore, it can be used to introgress these two essential minerals into variable genetic backgrounds. The significant variability and high to moderate heritability for CT (0.85) and iron (0.81) and zinc (0.58) concentration observed in the current study suggest that it is possible to make progress in breeding for faster cooking varieties that are rich in iron and zinc.

This study sought to identify the most effective weed control methods for enhancing growth, yield and grain quality in cowpea and to reduce weed interference during the major and minor rainy seasons of 2022 at Juaso in the Asante Akim South Municipality, Ghana. Sun-zema at 30 mL/15 L of water, Supremo (90 mL/15 L of water), Vezir (90 mL/15 L of water), Ogyama (100 mL/15 L of water) and Benfop (100 mL/15 L of water), hoeing, cutlass weeding and no weeding were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Data on weed flora, plant height, number of leaves per plant, days to 50% flowering and pod formation, grain yield and yield components and proximate composition of cowpea grains were collected and subjected to analysis of variance using GenStat statistical package (11th edition). Differences in means were compared using the Fisher's protected least significant difference at a probability level of 5%. Significant (p < 0.05) improvements in the growth of cowpea due to hoe weeding were observed. Hoeing, Vezir and Supremo herbicides increased grain yield during the major rainy season, with hoeing recording the highest value (0.53 ± 0.07 ton/ha), whereas Supremo herbicide recorded the highest grain yield (0.38 ± 0.06 ton/ha) during the minor season. Hoeing recorded the least grain moisture contents of 7.45 ± 0.62% and 6.35 ± 0.62% in the major and minor seasons, respectively, which could enhance postharvest handling. Application of Supremo, Sun-zema and Ogyama reduced weed diversity in the study area. The study recommends hoeing during the major season and herbicide application (Supremo) during the minor season.

Tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray) is an under-utilized genetic resource with significant potential for food security and stress tolerance breeding. Expanding its cultivation in southern Africa requires high-yielding, locally adapted and drought-tolerant varieties. This study determined the combining ability and genetic components for seed yield and related traits in tepary bean genotypes under non-stress (NS) and drought-stress (DS) conditions. Seven parents were selected through rigorous phenotyping and crossed using a half-diallel design. The 7 parents and 21 F₂ progenies were evaluated in 2021/2022 season at Kasinthula and Bunda sites in Malawi under NS and DS conditions using a 4 × 7 lattice design with three replications. The specific combining ability (SCA) × location interaction effect was significant (p < 0.05) for DTF, NPP, and SY, suggesting that the genetic effects of crosses were influenced by the test locations. General combining ability (GCA) and SCA mean squares were significant for the number of seeds per pod (NSP) and SY under DS conditions, indicating both additive and non-additive gene effects. Baker's ratio (BR) > 0.50 for NPP and NSP under DS conditions suggested a preponderance of additive gene effects. G40145, G40148 and G40150 parental lines were good combiners for NPP and SY. The F₂ families from crosses such as Zimbabwe landrace/G40138, Zimbabwe landrace/G40150, G40059/G40145, G40059/G40148, G40138/G40150 and G40145/G40150 were identified as best specific combiners, with enhanced SY of 1.67 t/ha under DS conditions. The study recommends advancing high-performing early-generation families for selection across representative environments to facilitate variety release and commercialization.

This study evaluated 22 spring-type faba bean cultivars in the main areas for cultivation of faba bean in Norway to assess the variation of 14 faba bean traits due to cultivar (G), environment (E), and their interaction (G × E), and to assess their stability across environments by using the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis and coefficient of variation (CV). Significant G, E, and G × E effects were found for most traits, with environment accounting for much of the variance in yield and the growing degree days (GDD) to different developmental stages. Yield was highly correlated with thousand kernel weight (TKW) and GDD to BBCH 89 (maturation). The stability of the cultivars was studied for yield, TKW, and GDD to BBCH 89. Stability analysis using the AMMI stability value, yield stability index, CV, and the average sum of ranks identified Birgit, Stella, Bobas, and Macho as the most stable high-yielding cultivars across environments, achieving a mean yield of 6–6.4 tons ha⁻¹. Bobas, Macho, Stella, and Yukon had the most stable TKW (612–699 g) and Bobas, Capri, Trumpet, and Vertigo were the most stable regarding GDD to BBCH 89 (1257°C days, with a base temperature of 5°C). These stable cultivars can be utilized in breeding programs to achieve high and stable faba bean yield in the main growing areas of Norway and other Nordic-Baltic countries.

Low soil mineral concentrations are a major limitation to the nutritional quality of grain crops produced in Africa. As a result, 232 million people are suffering from microelement deficiency and 239 million from protein-calorie malnutrition in Africa. This study evaluated the nutritional quality of common bean grain harvested from 63 genotypes planted at Malkerns in Eswatini. The results showed significantly marked differences in the concentrations of 10 dietarily important nutrient elements. Of the macronutrients, Na levels showed the highest variation (12.00–91.00 mg/g) among the 63 bean genotypes, followed by K (14.03–22.03 mg/g) and P (3.30–9.57 mg/g), with Mg (1.57–2.30 mg/g) and Ca (0.80–2.68 mg/g) concentrations exhibiting the least difference among the bean genotypes. Of the micronutrients, Fe levels revealed the highest variation (66.36–151.08 mg/kg), followed by Zn (23.57–70.72 mg/kg) and Mn (11.53–26.84 mg/kg), with B (10.06–17.65 mg/kg) and Cu (6.30–13.67 mg/kg) exhibiting relatively lower differences among the 63 common bean genotypes. However, genotype NUC 461 recorded the highest grain concentrations of P, K, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, and B, followed by DAB 155, which also revealed high levels of P, K, Ca, Fe, Zn, and Mn in its seeds. For improved human health and nutrition, the two bean genotypes would be the ideal candidates to recommend to commercial bean growers and resource-poor farmers. However, the mechanisms underlying the greater accumulation of six to seven dietarily important nutrient elements by genotypes NUC 461 and DAB 155 remain to be determined.

Dry fractionation (DF) of pulses is proposed as a more sustainable process than wet fractionation (WF) to create protein ingredients for food applications. To facilitate the use of these ingredients by food manufacturers, it is important to understand the connection between their functional properties and processing methods. This study investigated protein ingredients from faba bean, mung bean, yellow pea and chickpea obtained via milling and air-classification and commercial WF, comparing them with commercial soy protein concentrate. Functional properties of these ingredients were investigated, including overall solubility, protein solubility, water-holding, oil-holding, emulsifying, foaming and rheological properties. DF proteins exhibited higher protein solubility, higher emulsification and lighter colour, while WF proteins demonstrated higher water-holding capacity. The pasting profiles varied significantly between the two processing methods, with DF proteins exhibiting lower pasting temperatures. However, the gels formed from DF and WF proteins exhibited similar abilities to withstand deformation and retain their structure. The findings highlight that the fractionation method significantly influences the functional properties of protein materials. Dry fractionation may produce materials with high solubility, offering significant potential in food applications.

Lentils are an ancient, edible grain legume, consumed worldwide in an array of dishes as either whole or split seed. While India and Canada are the largest modern-day producers, Australia is a close third and the second largest exporter of lentil globally. An overview of lentil introduction cultivar development and production in Australia since the 1960s is presented. This commenced with obtaining international germplasm, and in the 1970s, Australia participated in the ICARDA-led Food Legume Improvement Program (FLIP), which saw the release of nine varieties in the span of a decade. The first local breeding efforts in Australia commenced in the 1990s through the Coordinated Improvement Program for Australian Lentils (CIPAL), which transitioned into Pulse Breeding Australia (PBA) in the 2000s, and saw the first Australian-bred varieties released in 2008. Currently, Agriculture Victoria's National Lentil Breeding Program and Grains Innovation Australia (GIA) breed and release varieties for Australian lentil growers, and future perspectives for their programmes are presented. One of the main diseases of lentil is Ascochyta blight, which is caused by the fungus Ascochyta lentis. The discovery of a major avirulence gene within Australian A. lentis populations which determines pathotype has allowed recent categorisation of a collection of isolates, and their response to Australian varieties is discussed. The narrowing gene pool and viability of interspecific hybridisation of Australian lentil is additionally explained. Taken together, this review summarises the history and pedigree of Australian varieties and lentil breeding, the impact of major disease pathotypes on cultivar utility and the pursuits of public and private lentil breeding initiatives.