Search Results (362)

Legume cultivation offers a chance for agricultural development on lands that have been abandoned over the years. In this study, simple agronomic indicators on the growth and yield of faba bean (Vicia faba L.), pea (Pisum sativum L.), and white lupin (Lupinus albus L.) were assessed on the abandoned agricultural lands of Foloi Plateau in Western Greece. Field trials were conducted from October 2023 to July 2025, and the legumes were grown either according to the false seedbed concept or with conventional seedbed preparation practices (direct sowing). The false seedbed involves pre-sowing weed control following initial seedbed preparation, and in these trials, it suppressed weed density by 62–77%. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) of faba bean and pea increased by 13% on the false seedbed plots, while white lupin NDVI was not affected by treatments (p ≥ 0.05). Destructive crop biomass measurements were in accordance with NDVI assessments. Faba bean and pea seed yield demonstrated an increase of 17% and 23%, respectively, in the false seedbed plots compared to direct sowing plots. White lupin seed yield was not significantly affected by false seedbed (p ≥ 0.05). This study provides preliminary evidence supporting the use of legume crops as a component of sustainable agricultural revitalization in the Foloi region. However, further research is required to optimize legume cultivation on the abandoned lands of the wider region as a first step towards the agricultural revitalization in the Plateau. Full article

The valorization of agri-food by-products as functional ingredients requires understanding how processing and formulation affect their nutritional and metabolic properties. This study evaluated the combined effects of drying method (hot air drying, HAD; freeze-drying, FD), particle size (80 and 500 µm), and gum Arabic (GA) addition on the compositional and metabolic functionality of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) pod flour. Proximate composition, total phenolic content (TPC), estimated glycemic index (eGI), glucose dialysis retardation index (GDRI), and enzyme inhibitory activities (α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase) were determined. Results showed that all factors significantly affected eGI, with independent contributions, whereas GDRI was mainly influenced by particle size and GA, with significant interaction effects. GA addition consistently reduced eGI and increased GDRI, indicating improved modulation of both starch hydrolysis and glucose diffusion. HAD samples showed higher enzyme inhibitory activity, while FD combined with GA enhanced TPC. Particle size modulated structural properties affecting starch accessibility and glucose diffusion. Soluble dietary fiber and phenolic compounds were key contributors to in vitro metabolic functionality, while matrix structure determined their effectiveness. These results suggest that faba bean pod powders may serve as sustainable functional ingredients for food applications, contributing to the valorization of agri-food by-products within a circular economy approach. Full article

In this study, the effects of five bean seeds (Vigna radiata, Pisum sativum, Vigna unguiculata, Vicia faba, and Glycine max) on the development, survival, oviposition, and digestive enzyme activities of C. chinensis were investigated. The duration of C. chinensis development from egg to adult was shortest when reared on V. radiata (26.97 d) and longest on G. max (30.92 d) (p < 0.01). Similarly, the emergence rate of C. chinensis was highest on V. radiata (66.11%) and lowest on G. max (33.89%) (p < 0.01). Significant differences in the fecundity of C. chinensis were also detected, with the highest values on V. radiata (63.36 eggs/female), followed by P. sativum (54.27 eggs/female), V. unguiculata (51.30 eggs/female), V. faba (42.47 eggs/female), and G. max (37.29 eggs/female) (p < 0.01). For an equal initial insect number, after continuous rearing for 30, 60, or 90 d, there were significantly more offspring on V. radiata than on the other species, with the fewest offspring detected on G. max (p < 0.01). Although CL activity (p = 0.33) in C. chinensis did not differ significantly among the different legume species, activities of PEP (p < 0.01) and α-AMS (p < 0.01) in C. chinensis were all highest on V. radiata and lowest on G. max, and activities of LPS (p < 0.01) were highest on G. max and lowest on V. radiata. The differences in population dynamics associated with different bean seeds may be related to the activity of particular digestive enzymes, which play important roles in insect nutrient metabolism and growth. Our results indicated that V. radiata is the most suitable host diet, whereas G. max is the least suitable for the development of C. chinensis. Full article

Drought is a critical constraint for legume production in semi-arid regions, yet breeding for drought tolerance in faba bean through induced mutagenesis remains largely unexplored. To our knowledge, this is the first EMS-derived mutant population in faba bean specifically developed for drought tolerance, comprising 45 M₂/M₃ lines derived from small-seeded cv. Zina and large-seeded cv. Aguadulce Superlonga), evaluated under two irrigation regimes—100% field capacity (well-watered control) and 40% field capacity (severe stress)—over two consecutive growing seasons in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Drought stress caused severe yield losses, reducing mean seed number per plant by 42.2% and mean seed weight per plant by 47.1%. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant effects of genotype, irrigation, and generation/year on both yield components. The non-significant genotype × irrigation interaction indicated similar proportional drought response across genotypes, while the non-significant three-way interaction suggested relatively consistent genotype rankings across generations/growing seasons. Among the ten drought tolerance indices evaluated, seed-number-based mean productivity (MPn) and stress tolerance index (STIn) were the most discriminating, whereas weight-based indices failed to differentiate genotypes due to the inherent seed-size contrast between botanical backgrounds. Dunnett’s comparisons identified genotype 23 (Zina-derived) as the top performer, significantly exceeding its parent for both MPn and STIn; genotypes 22, 24, 12, 3, and 15 similarly outperformed controls. Cluster analysis broadly distinguished three groups: a tolerant cluster dominated by Zina-derived lines, a moderately tolerant cluster (Zina wild-type), and a sensitive cluster of Aguadulce Superlonga-derived lines. These findings suggest that EMS mutagenesis generated potentially heritable and exploitable variation for drought tolerance, with selected lines representing promising candidates for further multi-environment validation. Full article

Fava bean (Vicia faba L.) is a nutritionally valuable and sustainable legume with strong potential for plant-based food applications. However, similar to other lipid-containing food systems, fava bean-based spreads are susceptible to lipid oxidation during storage, leading to quality deterioration and reduced shelf life. This study evaluated the effect of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), winter savory (Satureja montana L.), and cumin (Cuminum cyminum L.) essential oils (EOs) (0.1 μL/g) on the physicochemical properties and oxidative stability of fava bean-based spreads during 90 days of storage at 4 °C. Four treatments were prepared: control spread without essential oil (B-CO), basil essential oil-enriched spread (B-BA), winter savory essential oil-enriched spread (B-WS), and cumin essential oil-enriched spread (B-CU). Water activity and pH remained stable in all samples throughout storage. Color changes were most pronounced in the control, while B-WS exhibited the highest color stability (ΔE = 1.81 vs. 6.07 in B-CO). Winter savory and cumin significantly reduced peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) formation and improved oxidative stability (Rancimat: 9.11 and 9.10 h vs. 7.73 h in B-CO), whereas basil showed no protective effect. Cumin was characterized by the highest flavonoid and phenolic acid contents, while winter savory exhibited the highest total polyphenols. Sensory evaluation revealed that EOs significantly influenced consumer acceptance, particularly taste and aroma. Although the control sample achieved the highest overall scores, cumin-containing formulations provided the most favorable balance between oxidative stability and sensory quality, whereas winter savory negatively affected overall acceptability. Taken together, winter savory and cumin EOs effectively enhanced oxidative stability, highlighting their potential as natural antioxidants in the development of plant-based spreads. Full article

Chocolate spot, caused by the ascomycete fungus Botrytis fabae, is a devastating foliar disease and a major constraint on the quality and yield of faba beans (Vicia faba). Monoterpenes, such as carvone, cineole, and linalool, are often considered natural-identical alternatives to synthetic chemicals. Therefore, this study was carried out to assess the antifungal activity of some eco-friendly control agents (carvone, cineole, and linalool) against B. fabae, the causative agent of chocolate spot disease in faba beans, through growth inhibition assays in vitro. Furthermore, the efficacy of the tested monoterpenes for reducing the severity of chocolate spot disease in faba beans was evaluated under field conditions. Moreover, these eco-friendly control agents activate plant defense enzymes (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, polyphenol oxidase, and peroxidase) as a self-defense mechanism against pathogen attacks of faba bean plants were investigated. Moreover, the impact of the tested monoterpenes on growth and yield characters of faba bean was evaluated. The results indicated a significant decrease in B. fabae growth following a treatment with the tested compounds compared to untreated controls. In field trials, treated faba bean plants exhibited a notable reduction in disease severity. Additionally, the application of monoterpenes enhanced the activity of defense enzymes (phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, polyphenol oxidase, and peroxidase), which are integral to plant defense mechanisms. Treatments also resulted in significant improvement growth and yield characters of faba bean. These findings suggest that the tested monoterpenes could serve as a control strategy for managing B. fabae, offering an environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional fungicides. Full article

Sandy calcareous soils in arid regions suffer from low phosphorus (P) availability due to high fixation rates, limiting crop productivity. This study investigates a novel hybrid smart fertilizer (BN) composed of olive pomace biochar (BC) and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAP). BN was synthesized and characterized using XRD, FTIR, SEM/TEM, and zeta potential analysis. Its P release kinetics were modeled, and its agronomic performance was assessed on faba bean (Vicia faba L.) in a pot experiment under sandy soil conditions with and without wood vinegar (WV). The 1:1 BC:nHAP formulation showed a two-stage release profile: a rapid initial burst (Higuchi model, R² = 0.86) followed by sustained zero-order release (R² = 0.80). In the pot experiment, BN combined with WV significantly increased plant height by 36%, shoot fresh weight by 232%, and available soil P by 39% compared to conventional SSP (p < 0.05). This synergistic treatment also improved root nodulation and nutrient (N, P, K) uptake. The BC-nHAP hybrid coupled with WV acts as an efficient P delivery system, improving soil fertility in arid environments based on circular economy principles, aligning with SDGs 2, 12, and 15. Full article

The aim of this work was to evaluate the compositional, functional, antioxidant, thermal, and structural properties of faba bean flour (FBF) and a faba bean protein concentrate (FBC) elaborated by a sustainable dry fractionation method. Proximate composition was determined by analyzing the content of moisture, protein, lipids, ash, total dietary fiber, starch, and available carbohydrates. A methanolic extract was used to analyze total polyphenols and antioxidant capacity using complementary methods. The fatty acid profile was determined by gas chromatography. Techno-functional properties were assayed, determining water-holding capacity (WHC), oil absorption capacity (OAC), and retention capacity of different solvents (SRC), water activity, pH, and titratable acidity. Structural and thermal properties were studied by FTIR and DSC. The dry method produces a concentrate with a low quantity of starch (2.5 vs. 25.6%) and carbohydrates and higher amounts of proteins (61.14 vs. 23.61%). Lipids, mainly mono and polyunsaturated ones, and polyphenols with high antioxidant activity. FBC absorbed a greater proportion of lactic acid, likely due to its higher acidity, and showed higher oil absorption, but retained less water compared to FBF. FTIR and DSC results suggested that the heat-treated proteins (in FBC) exhibited some degree of protein denaturation, unlike the FBF proteins. These findings highlight the potential of dry-fractionated faba bean concentrate as a sustainable and functional food ingredient, particularly for products aimed at improving nutritional quality. Its enhanced antioxidant profile, favorable lipid composition and unique techno-functional properties make it a promising alternative for developing plant-based foods. Full article

Background/Objectives: Salinity stress limits agricultural production and threatens global food security. Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is an important legume crop, and identifying salt-stress-responsive genes may support an improvement in salt response. This study aimed to identify intronless genes in faba bean, screen candidate genes associated with salt-stress responses, and develop a KASP marker for salt-response evaluation. Methods: Intronless genes were identified from the faba bean reference genome. Transcriptome analysis was conducted in roots and leaves of two cultivars, Sucan 4 and Yundou 1183, under 150 mM NaCl treatment and control conditions. Candidate genes were examined by expression analysis, functional annotation, PPI prediction, and a luciferase complementation assay. A KASP marker was developed from an SNP within the VfERF1A locus and tested in 97 accessions. Results: A total of 7581 intronless genes were identified, accounting for 20.69% of annotated genes. Fifteen intronless genes were significantly differentially expressed in both roots and leaves of the two cultivars under salt treatment. Functional annotation suggested that VfERF1A and VfHSP17.8 may be involved in salt-stress responses. PPI prediction and the LUC assay provided preliminary support for a possible association of VfERF1A with VfEIN2. The VfERF1A-based KASP marker showed clear genotype clustering, and the two homozygous classes differed significantly in QYmax, relative shoot fresh weight, and relative plant height under salt treatment (p < 0.05). The preliminary predictive accuracy for QYmax was 86.36%. Conclusions: These results provide a genome-wide resource of intronless genes in faba bean, identify candidate genes associated with salt-stress responses, and describe a preliminary KASP marker associated with salt-response traits. Further validation in independent populations, under diverse environmental conditions, and with additional functional evidence is still required. Full article

Cadmium (Cd) contamination, through induction of oxidative stress, severely impairs plant growth. Using primary roots of Vicia faba, we investigated how a 24 h incubation in CdCl₂ solution (175 µM) affects mitotic progression in meristems and assessed whether thyme essential oil (TO; 0.03%, v/v), as a natural antioxidant, can protect proliferating cells during simultaneous Cd exposure. Cd strongly inhibited root growth, reduced mitotic index tenfold (to 0.6%), induced chromatin condensation, decreased CDKA protein levels and CycB transcripts and proteins, caused pronounced microtubule bundling and alterations in their arrangement, disorganization of actin filaments, and disturbances in histone H3 phosphorylation (H3T3Ph, H3S10Ph). TO led to a partial recovery of mitotic index (to ~50% of the control), normalization of chromosome condensation, maintenance of cell-cycle regulators at near-control levels, preservation of proper cytoskeletal organization, and restoration of the correct H3 phosphorylation pattern. This enabled cells to progress from metaphase to anaphase and maintain phase proportions close to the control, resulting in normal root growth. These findings indicate that TO protects the mitotic cellular environment against Cd-induced disturbances. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first evidence that TO safeguards the plant mitotic apparatus under Cd stress, highlighting its potential as a natural bioprotective agent supporting plant growth. Full article

Citrulline (CIT), a natural non-protein amino acid and nitric oxide (NO) precursor, plays a vital role in plant physiological regulation. Its use as an eco-friendly biostimulant aligns with global efforts to reduce dependence on synthetic agrochemicals and strengthen sustainable crop production systems. This study represents the first report investigating the effects of exogenous citrulline (0, 0.5, and 1 mM) as a biostimulant/eustressor in two faba bean (Vicia faba) cultivars (Giza 843 and Sakha 1) and the first report to evaluate the variety and dose-dependent responses to foliar CIT application. The morphological, biochemical, and antioxidant responses were assessed. CIT significantly improved several growth and yield attributes in a cultivar-dependent manner, with Giza 843 performing best at 1 mM and Sakha 1 showing optimal shoot performance at 0.5 mM. CIT increased H₂O₂ levels, flavonoids, and catalase activity, which modulate the response mechanisms of treated plants of two varieties of faba bean. In contrast to Giza 843, Sakha 1 increased proline and the activities of peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase, which is parallel with decreasing soluble sugars and proteins in response to CIT application. These results showed that Sakha 1 had more effective defense mechanisms than Giza 843. These findings demonstrate that CIT at an optimal dose is a promising, eco-friendly biostimulant. It may be suitable to integrate into sustainable crop management programs to enhance crop resilience and productivity. Full article

Potassium (K⁺) is often the primary target for research on salinity stress. However, the role of magnesium (Mg²⁺) under salinity stress has not been properly investigated. We aimed to answer the following question: could magnesium (Mg²⁺), often neglected, be the real protector of ionic balance under salt stress? It is known that a deficiency in Mg²⁺ increases K⁺ uptake. Based on this understanding, we hypothesized that Mg²⁺ starvation could worsen salinity defenses compared to K⁺ starvation. The nutrient concentration of 0.02 mM Mg²⁺ was maintained in the nutrient solution to induce Mg²⁺ deficiency in Vicia faba plants. Mg²⁺ foliar application was carried out five times, at an interval of two times a week, over two weeks of induced salinity stress. Harvesting was carried out 45 days after transplanting, i.e., 2 weeks after salinity stress (50 mM NaCl) was initiated at 4 weeks of transplanting. Salinity had the highest impact on Mg²⁺-deficient plants, resulting in a major alteration in ionic composition. Mg²⁺ deficiency under salt stress resulted in a 14-fold increase in the leaf Na⁺ concentration compared to controls. Application of foliar Mg²⁺ was very effective in reversing the loss of Mg²⁺-deficient plants, renewing growth, gas exchange, and stomatal activity, and reducing the toxic Na⁺/Mg²⁺ ratio (by 90%). Mg²⁺ is a unique regulator of ion homeostasis in salinity stress, and its deficiency causes an imbalanced ionic medium that cannot be normalized through K⁺ supplementation alone. Therefore, the strategic method of selective foliar application of Mg²⁺ is a necessary approach for achieving high-quality yields in salt-affected croplands. Full article

The increasing of treated wastewater for irrigation in water-scarce regions increases the risk of heavy metals soil contamination, threatening food safety and human health. This study investigated the synergistic potential of the fungi Trichoderma harzianum and three icia faba L. varieties (Agadulce, Hiba, and Reina mora) for soil bioremediation under wastewater irrigation. A split-plot design under controlled greenhouse conditions assessed the impacts of irrigation type and Trichoderma harzianum inoculation on soil heavy metal content and plant uptake. Although metal concentrations remained within WHO permissible limits, T. harzianum significantly reduced soil metal loads. Specifically, the ‘Reina mora’ cultivar exhibited the superior performance in this dual myco-phytoremediation approach, achieving the highest reduction in soil metal concentrations. Conversely, the ‘Hiba’ variety demonstrated a distinct advantage for food safety by exhibiting the lowest heavy metal accumulation in plant tissues. Risk assessments based on deterministic models indicated negligible non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks for both adults and children. This study presents a dual myco-phytoremediation approach as a promising and practical strategy for mitigating heavy metal risks and supporting sustainable crop production in wastewater-irrigated regions. Full article

Vicia faba L. is a widely cultivated legume known to contain numerous specialised metabolites. In this study, the seed coats and cotyledons of two ancient V. faba L. varieties, historically consumed in southern Italy and distinguished by black and purple seed coats, were extracted using 80% methanol and 80% ethanol. Extracts were analysed for total polyphenol, flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents, and antioxidant activity using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. The purple seed coats exhibited the highest levels of phenolics and antioxidant capacity, exceeding those of black seed coats. Next, liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-HR-MS) was used to characterise the bioactive metabolites in both seed coats and cotyledons. The purple variety showed a higher phytochemical content, with a greater level of flavonoids and proanthocyanidins in methanolic extract. Furthermore, the purple seed coat exhibited in vitro anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), a key enzyme in the arachidonic acid cascade, with an IC₅₀ of 31.51 ± 1.16 µg/µL. Elemental analysis was performed for both varieties to assess their nutritional value. Specifically, the purple seed coats were found to represent a valuable source of bioactive compounds and micronutrients, highlighting their potential applications in nutraceutical, cosmetic, and food supplement sectors. Full article

Water deficit is a major constraint limiting the growth and yield of faba bean (Vicia faba L.). A pot experiment was conducted under controlled conditions to evaluate the effect of inoculation with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae BIHB 1148 (strain F14) and Pseudomonas alkylphenolica PF9 (strain L13) on faba bean drought resilience. Two irrigation regimes were applied: well-watered (80% of field capacity) versus water-stressed (40% of field capacity). Strain F14 was used to ensure effective biological nitrogen fixation, while strain L13 was applied in co-inoculation to evaluate its biostimulatory effects. The control plants received nitrogen in its chemical form. Results indicated that water deficit significantly (p < 0.001) reduced plant growth, nodulation, and photosynthesis-related parameters, and increased hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, which are key markers of oxidative stress. However, co-inoculation with strains F14 and L13 significantly enhanced shoot and root biomass, as well as most agro-morphological traits. It also stimulated (p < 0.05) the antioxidant activities of superoxide dismutase (3-fold), guaiacol peroxidase (12%), and catalase (104%), and increased proline content (119%), which led to lower levels of MDA (54% decrease) and H₂O₂ (55% decrease), improved membrane stability, water status, and enhanced photosynthesis. Overall, co-inoculation of faba bean with Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae BIHB 1148 and Pseudomonas alkylphenolica PF9 offers a promising and sustainable approach to improve plant resilience under water deficit. Full article