Search Results (31)

Climate change exacerbates soil moisture deficits, necessitating efficient water retention strategies. Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) offer a potential solution to enhance water availability for crops during dry periods. Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and pea (Pisum sativum L.) were selected as model legumes due to their high nutritional value, agricultural importance in temperate regions, and sensitivity to drought stress This study evaluated the effects of different SAP application rates on the yield and physiological performance of two legume species: faba bean (cv. Granit) and pea (cv. Batuta). The two-year (2017–2018) field experiments employed a randomized block design with four replicates. Treatments included three SAP doses: 0 (control, SAP0), 20 (SAP20) and 30 (SAP30) kg·ha⁻¹. The study was conducted over two years with contrasting weather: 2017 was wetter but had uneven rainfall distribution, while 2018 was drier and characterized by moisture deficits during critical growth stages. SAP application significantly increased seed yield in faba bean and pea, with the most favorable effect observed at 20 kg ha (average yield increase of 23.6% and 17.3%, respectively). SAP did not affect yield components in faba bean. However, in peas, an increase in pod number and seed number per plant was observed with the SAP30 dose compared to the SAP20 dose. Application of superabsorbent at a dose of 20 kg ha⁻¹ significantly increased photosynthesis rate in faba bean, the Fv/Fm index in the tested species, and the PI in peas compared to the control. However, the superabsorbent did not affect transpiration rate or the WUE coefficient in the tested legume species. Significantly higher yields in faba bean and pea and all tested plant structure parameters in pea were recorded in 2018 compared to 2017. The tested parameters of gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence were higher in pea in 2018 (except for transpiration intensity) and in faba bean in 2017. The findings suggest that SAPs can be a useful tool to mitigate water stress effects in legumes, although their effectiveness depends on environmental conditions. Therefore, SAP application may be a promising agronomic strategy in regions prone to irregular rainfall or moderate drought. Full article

The global feed gap, driven by seasonal shortages and climate change, highlights the need for novel forage resources. Vicia faba (Faba bean) produces substantial above-ground biomass as residue after fresh pod harvest, which remains underutilized. This study comprehensively evaluated the forage potential of faba bean leaves and stems across three growth stages: flowering (S1), pod development (S2), and ripening (S3). Dry matter content peaked at S2 in both tissues, while crude protein and fat content were highest at S1; carbohydrate levels increased progressively with maturation. Significant mineral concentrations, particularly K, Ca, and Mg, were detected, with leaves at S2 showing higher ash (i.e., mineral) content. Bioactive compounds (L-dopa, flavonols, total phenolics, and flavonoids) and antioxidant activities were most abundant at S1, with strong positive correlations between phenolics and antioxidant activities. Overall, faba bean residues offer proximate nutritional profiles comparable to traditional forages such as alfalfa and clover, while providing superior antioxidant potential. Their incorporation into animal feed systems before S3 could help mitigate seasonal forage shortages and enhance the nutritional quality of livestock diets. Full article

The rising demand for plant proteins and climate change highligth the need for adaptable legume crops. A three-year field experiment examined forage and seed production, as well as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) accumulation in an indeterminate field bean (Vicia faba L. var. minor Beck) variety, as affected by two fertilization rates (0 and 120 kg N ha⁻¹, i.e., N0 and N120) and two sowing rates (60 and 100 seeds m⁻², i.e., S60 and S100), along with their interaction with climatic variability. Forage yield ranged from 11.1 Mg ha⁻¹ in Year I (S100) to 6.8 Mg ha⁻¹ in Year III (S60 and S100), and seed yield dropped from 4.1 Mg ha⁻¹ in Year II to 1.9 Mg ha⁻¹ in Year III, due to fewer seeds per pod and lower seed weight unaffected by fertilization and sowing rate. Nitrogen fertilization increased forage by 20% but had no effect on seed production. Field bean showed good adaptability to variable climatic conditions, compensating for lower stem number with more pods per stem. The possibility to obtain either forage or seed yield makes field bean a valuable source of plant proteins in a changing environment, contributing to the sustainability of cropping systems. Full article

Legumes have been identified as a key element of food innovation and excellent candidates for ensuring sustainability in food systems. However, certain legumes, such as faba beans and legume by-products, such as pea pods, are currently mainly being used in animal feed rather than exploited and valued in human nutrition. In this study, the nutritional properties, anti-nutritional factors, and in vitro protein digestibility of pea pod flour and raw and thermally treated (80, 120, 150, and 180 °C during 30 min) faba bean flours were investigated. For pea pod flours, the results showed a very interesting protein content (12.13%) and insoluble fibers (37.45%), as well as appreciable amounts of minerals, mainly calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, and iron. For faba bean flours, thermal treatment did not significantly affect the crude protein, ash, starch, and fat contents of the processed beans. Meanwhile, compared with raw faba bean flours, thermal treatment significantly decreased insoluble dietary fibers, anti-nutritional factors such as phytic acid, tannins, trypsin inhibitors, and alpha-galactosides and progressively improved the in vitro protein digestibility by 7,7%. In conclusion, faba bean and pea pod flours show significant potential as novel ingredients in the food industry. Their combination will enable the development of protein, fiber, and mineral-rich food products. Full article

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF)-based biopesticides have attracted growing interest in pest management as alternatives to neurotoxic insecticides. Their potential was evaluated against various pests, including the broad bean weevil (Bruchus rufimanus Boheman 1833), a significant threat to faba bean (Vicia faba L.) crops. This study examined the entomotoxic effects and sublethal impacts (on oviposition) of three fungal strains under laboratory conditions: Beauveria bassiana (GHA), Metarhizium brunneum (USDA 4556), and M. brunneum (V275) on B. rufimanus adults. Subsequently, a large-scale field trial assessed the efficacy of B. bassiana (GHA) against B. rufimanus infestations using conventional anti-drift and dropleg spraying methods. The laboratory LT₅₀ values ranged from four days for B. bassiana to eight days for M. brunneum (V275). The mortality rates recorded after ten days ranged from 86.6% for M. brunneum (V275) to 96.6% for B. bassiana (GHA). The inhibition of oviposition rates ranged from 12% for M. brunneum (USDA 4556) to 36% for B. bassiana (GHA). Field trials showed that the dropleg nozzles targeted faba bean pods, the oviposition sites of B. rufimanus, more effectively than the anti-drift nozzles. However, both fungal and chemical treatments applied via dropleg nozzles offered limited protection, reducing the infestation rates by 7% and 14%, respectively, with only a 3% improvement over anti-drift nozzles. This suggests that the large-scale spraying of chemical or fungal agents, including B. bassiana GHA, is not an optimal IPM strategy for managing B. rufimanus in faba beans. These laboratory and field results highlight the potential of EPF for managing B. rufimanus. However, the limitations of spray-applied plant protection methods underscore the need to redirect research toward more targeted strategies, such as attract-and-infect or endophytic EPF approaches. Full article

Faba bean is grown globally for human consumption and animal feed and is a significant rotation crop in cereal-dominant areas in many countries, including Australia. It is sensitive to several abiotic stresses, such as drought, frost, and high temperatures, especially at the reproductive stage. However, little is known of the upper and lower temperature limits for successful podding. Experiments were conducted over 2 years at Breeza and Narrabri in northwestern New South Wales to assess the impact of temperature on flowering and podset of three genotypes—Doza, Cairo, and IX1148f—under field conditions. Flowering nodes were tagged from designated plants in the field and scored for podding; field temperatures were recorded. Optimum maximum temperature for podset ranged from 23.7–26.1 °C, and the equivalent minimum temperature was 3.2–3.8 °C. Optimum average daily temperature for podset ranged from 12.7–13.9 °C. The strongest correlations between temperature and podding were observed at minimum temperatures, indicating that low temperatures are more important than high temperatures in determining yield in faba bean. Full article

Vicia faba L. is a leguminous plant with seeds rich in nutritional compounds, such as polyphenols and L-dopa, a dopamine precursor and first-line treatment for Parkinson’s symptoms. Recently, its by-products have been revalued as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds. In this study, aqueous extracts of Lucan broad bean pod valves (BPs) were characterized to evaluate their potential use as adjuvants in severe Parkinson’s disease. L-dopa content, quantified by LC-UV, was much higher in BPs than in seeds (28.65 mg/g dw compared to 0.76 mg/g dw). In addition, vicine and convicine, the metabolites responsible for favism, were not detected in pods. LC-ESI/LTQ-Orbitrap/MS² allowed the identification of the major polyphenolic compounds, including quercetin and catechin equivalents, that could ensure neuroprotection in Parkinson’s disease. ESI(±)-FT-ICR MS was used to build 2D van Krevelen diagrams; polyphenolic compounds and carbohydrates were the most representative classes. The neuroprotective activity of the extracts after MPP⁺-induced neurotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells was also investigated. BP extracts were more effective than synthetic L-dopa, even at concentrations up to 100 µg/mL, due to the occurrence of antioxidants able to prevent oxidative stress. The stability and antioxidant component of the extracts were then emphasized by using naturally acidic solutions of Punica granatum L., Ribes rubrum L., and gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica L.) as extraction solvents. Full article

The aim of this study was to assess how soil use and the cultivation of Triticum aestivum spp. vulgare L. (Sw), Triticum aestivum spp. spelta L. (Ww), Zea mays L. (M), and Brassica napus L. (Wr) impacts soil microbiota. This study consisted of a pot experiment over 120 days, until Vicia faba spp. minor seeds and pods reached the developmental stage of growth. This study showed that T. aestivum spp. vulgare L. grown in the soil sown with faba beans had a beneficial effect on the development of organotrophic bacteria, actinobacteria, and fungi. Regardless of the previous crop and soil cultivation method, r-strategists were found among the organotrophic bacteria and fungi, whereas K-strategists were found among the actinobacteria. All soils sown with faba beans were primarily colonized by bacteria belonging to the phylum Actinobacteriota (represented by the genus Cellulosimicrobium) and fungi belonging to the phylum Ascomycota. In the soil sown with field faba beans from the cultivation of Sw and Wr, the soil was dominated by Mortierella genus fungi; that of Ww was dominated by Cladosporium, and that of M was dominated by Alternaria. The results of this study provide new insights into the influence of previous crops and further cropping with faba bean on the quantitative and qualitative composition of the soil microbiota. Full article

Ascochyta blight, caused by Ascochyta fabae, poses a significant threat to faba bean and other legumes worldwide. Necrotic lesions on stems, leaves, and pods characterize the disease. Given the economic impact of this pathogen and the potential involvement of secondary metabolites in symptom development, a study was conducted to investigate the fungus’s ability to produce bioactive metabolites that might contribute to its pathogenicity. For this investigation, the fungus was cultured in three substrates (Czapek-Dox, PDB, and rice). The produced metabolites were analyzed by NMR and LC-HRMS methods, resulting in the dereplication of seven metabolites, which varied with the cultural substrates. Ascochlorin, ascofuranol, and (R)-mevalonolactone were isolated from the Czapek-Dox extract; ascosalipyrone, benzoic acid, and tyrosol from the PDB extract; and ascosalitoxin and ascosalipyrone from the rice extract. The phytotoxicity of the pure metabolites was assessed at different concentrations on their primary hosts and related legumes. The fungal exudates displayed varying degrees of phytotoxicity, with the Czapek-Dox medium’s exudate exhibiting the highest activity across almost all legumes tested. The species belonging to the genus Vicia spp. were the most susceptible, with faba bean being susceptible to all metabolites, at least at the highest concentration tested, as expected. In particular, ascosalitoxin and benzoic acid were the most phytotoxic in the tested condition and, as a consequence, expected to play an important role on necrosis’s appearance. Full article

The exacerbation of climatic changes helped to increase the risk of plant diseases in the world. The novelty of this study lies in the manufacture of therapeutic nutrients using nanotechnology with strong effectiveness against plant disease. Based on this concept, we mycosynthesized bimetallic ZnO-CuO nanoparticles (NPs), alternatives to reduce the spread of Vicia faba Fusarium wilt disease, which is one of the world’s most imperative cultivated crops. The article’s uniqueness comes in the utilization of ZnO-CuO nanoparticles to carry out two crucial tasks: therapeutic nutrients and managing Fusarium disease. To evaluate the resistance of infected plants, disease index (DI), photosynthetic pigments, osmolytes, oxidative stress and yield parameters were assessed. NPs of ZnO, CuO, and ZnO-CuO were mycosynthesized using a biomass filtrate of Aspergillus fumigatus OQ519856. DI reached 87.5%, due to Fusarium infection, and, as a result, a severe decrease in growth characters, photosynthetic pigments, total soluble carbohydrates, and proteins as well as yield parameters was observed. Infected plants produced more of the studied metabolites and antioxidants. On the other hand, the treatment with CuO-ZnO NPs led to a great decline in the DI by 22.5% and increased the protection by 74.28%. A clear improvement in growth characters, photosynthetic pigments and a high content of carbohydrates and proteins was also observed in both healthy and infected plants as a result of CuO-ZnO NPs treatment. Remarkably, CuO-ZnO NPs significantly increased the yield parameters, i.e., pods/plant and pod weight, by 146.1% and 228.8%, respectively. It could be suggested that foliar application of NPs of ZnO, CuO, and ZnO-CuO could be commercially used as antifusarial agents and strong elicitors of induced systemic resistance. Full article

The faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is a major legume crop; thus, it is important to apply various biometrical techniques to develop the most efficient breeding procedures to face biotic and abiotic stressors. During the four consecutive winter seasons of 2017–2021, five populations of five faba bean hybrids were studied at Sakha agricultural research station in Egypt. Five basic generations, including two parents (P1 and P2) and the first, second, and third generations, were studied. This analysis found significant variations between generations in all attributes studied in all crosses (P1, P2, F1, F2, and F3). Sakha 4 was the earliest parent (138 days) based on the maturity date, whereas Giza 40 had the most significant number of pods and seeds per plant (25.68–78.94), and Giza 716 had the tallest plant height (124.00 cm). Giza 843 and Sakha 4 had the highest seed yield per plant values (62.84 g and 61.77 g). The data demonstrated highly substantial heterosis in the favorable direction over mid and better parents for all features, except for the number of branches in Cross 3 (Giza 40 × Giza 843) over mid and better parents and a maturity date in Cross 1 over mid parents. Contrarily, opposite-direction dominance and dominance × dominance effects increased narrow-sense heredity. Broad-sense heritability values for all examined characteristics were high in all crosses, ranging from 90.24% to 97.67%. In both Crosses 5 (Giza 716 × Qahera 4) and 3, genetic advance through selection ranged from 1.73% at the maturity date to 95.12% for seed yield per plant. Cross 3 (Giza 40 × Giza 843) had the greatest number of branches, pods, and seeds per plant. In conclusion, this study advances our understanding of employing faba beans in breeding programs. Full article

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) has spread worldwide as an excellent source of proteins. To evaluate the efficiency of Se biofortification, four cultivars of V. faba (Belorussian, Russian Black, Hangdown Grünkernig, and Dreifach Weiβe) were foliar treated with 1.27 mM solutions of nano-Se, sodium selenate, and sodium selenite. Yield, protein, and Se contents were greatly affected by genetic factors and chemical form of Se. Selenium biofortification levels were negatively correlated with Se concentration in control plants and increased according to the following sequence: nano-Se < sodium selenite < sodium selenate. Contrary to selenate and selenite, nano-Se showed a growth-stimulating effect, improving yield, seed weight, and pod number. Pod thickness decreased significantly as a result of nano-Se supply and increased by 1.5–2.3 times under selenate and selenite supply. The highest Se concentrations were recorded in the seeds of Se-fortified cv. Belorussian and the lowest one in those of Se-treated Hangdown Grünkernig. Protein accumulation was varietal dependent and decreased upon 1.27 mM selenate and selenite treatment in the cvs. Hangdown Grünkernig and Dreifach Weiβe. The results indicate the high prospects of nano-Se supply for the production of faba bean seeds with high levels of Se. Full article

The aim of the current study wat to comparatively assess the impact of different nitrogen (N) fertilization schemes on fresh pod yield and yield quality in either organically or conventionally grown common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Prior to common bean crop establishment, the experimental field site was cultivated following either organic (a) or conventional (b) farming practices with a winter non-legume crop (Brassica oleracea var. italica) (BR), or (c) with field bean (Vicia faba sp.) destined to serve as a green manure (GM) crop. At the end of the winter cultivation period the broccoli crop residues (BR) and green manure biomass (GM) were incorporated into the soil and the plots that accommodated the treatments (a) and (c) were followed by an organically cultivated common bean crop, while the conventional broccoli crop was followed by a conventionally cropped common bean crop. Additional to the plant residues (BR), sheep manure (SM) at a rate of 40 kg N ha⁻¹ was also applied to the organically treated common beans, while the plots with a conventionally cropped common bean received 75 kg N ha⁻¹. Organic common bean treated with SM + BR produced smaller pods of higher dry matter and bioactive compound content, responses that are correlated with limited soil N availability. No significant variations were observed on yield components and N levels of pods cultivated under organic (SM + GM) and conventional cropping systems. Pod sugar and starch content was not influenced by the different fertilization practices. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that the combined application of SM + GM can be considered as an efficient N-fertilisation strategy for organic crops of common bean, benefiting their nutritional value without compromising yield. Full article

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is an economically important crop cultivated globally for fulfilling human requirements. However, the productivity of the faba bean has declined due to poor management of soil, particularly under salt stress. Salt stress is a major constraint to crop productivity worldwide. Therefore, the objective of the present investigation is to check the behavior of faba bean genotypes on the basis of morphological and biochemical traits in response to salinity. In this study, we studied seven different treatments (including control) applied to faba bean under salt stress. Bioinoculants such as Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas flourescens, Glomus mosseae, and Gigaspora gigantean, each separately and in combination, were tested for their efficacy under salinity stress. Data recorded on days to flowering (48.92 ± 1.15), days to maturity (144.56 ± 1.95), plant height (141.93 ± 4.81 cm), number of branches per plant (4.87 ± 0.09), number of clusters per plant (18.88 ± 0.24), number of pods per plant (48.33 ± 1.06), pod length (5.31 ± 0.02 cm), catalase (222.10 ± 2.76 mg), hydrogen peroxide (24 ± 4.58 mol/g), malondialdehyde (45 ± 1.00 mol/g), electrolyte leakage (54.67 ± 5.03), chlorophyll (51.67 ± 3.06 mg/g), proline content (2.96 ± 0.12 mg/g), and on other parameters indicated the combined inoculation of all the species (consortium) was taken to be highly effective even under salt stress. Overall, the consortium treatment comprising all of the bioinoculants was observed to be the most efficient treatment in improving all the morphological and biochemical traits of faba bean under salt stress. Although, other treatments also demonstrated considerable effects on faba bean as compared to one without bioinoculants under salt stress. Full article

Nano-fertilizers are a new tool that can be used to address plant production challenges, and it addresses such nutrient deficiencies through smart agriculture approaches. Iron (Fe) is a vital element for several metabolic and physiological processes; however, Fe deficiency is common in poorly fertile soils (sand soil) and in arid areas. Therefore, additional research is required to select the most efficient form of iron absorbance. This research was implemented on broad bean plants (Vicia faba L. var. major Harz) to examine the impact of three iron sources: nano-iron (FeNPs, T1), iron sulfate (T2), and chelated iron (T3) as a foliar spray on the morphological properties, physiological attributes, and nutritional status of these plants compared to the untreated plants (control). The obtained results showed that foliar spraying with FeNPs, chelated iron and sulphate iron fertilizers increased plant height by 35.01%, 26.2, and 20.4%; leaf area by 38.8%, 18.3%, and 8.1%; the fresh weight of the plant by 47%, 32.8%, and 7.3%; the dry weight of the plant by 52.9%, 37.3%, and 11.2%; and the number of branches by 47%, 31.3%, and 25.6 %, respectively, compared to the control treatment (CT). Furthermore, the application of FeNPs, chelated iron, and sulphate iron fertilizers improved the number of pods by 47.9%, 24.8%, and 6.1%; the number of seeds by 32.8%, 7.9%, and 2.8%; and seed weight by 20.8%, 9.1%, and 5.4%, compared to control treatment (CT). Additionally, foliar application of FeNPs showed the highest values of photosynthesis rate (Pn), water-use efficiency (WUE), total chlorophyll, and phytohormones (IAA, GA3) compared to all the other treatments. The anatomical structure revealed an enhancement of leaf size and thickness (epidermis cells and mesophyll tissue) affected by FeNPs treatment compared to other treatments. Foliar application of FeNPs also improved the total content of carbohydrates, crude protein, element content (N, P, K, Ca, Na, Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu), and some amino acids such as lysine, arginine, phenylalanine, isoleucine, and tyrosine in the seeds of broad beans. Based on the above results, the maximum values of all tested measurements were observed when FeNPs were used as the foliar spraying followed by chelated and sulphate iron fertilizers. Therefore, these findings suggest that using FeNPs, as a foliar treatment, could be a promising strategy for reducing the Fe deficiency in sandy soil and enhancing plant growth, pod yield, and pod quality of broad bean plants in addition to being environmentally favored in arid areas. Full article