Search Results (548)

This experimental trial assessed raw cowpea seed (CPS; Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) inclusion effects in finishing pigs’ diet on growth performance, blood chemistry, meat quality, and fatty acid profile (FAs). A number of 54 crossbred male pigs ([♀F1 Topigs Large White × Norsvin Landrace] × ♂ Duroc) with an initial average body weight of 60.3 ± 3.20 kg (mean ± SD calculated across individual pigs) were divided into three groups of 18 pigs each comprising six pens of three pigs per treatment. The control group (CON) was fed a standardized SBM-based complete feed. In the experimental groups, the SBM was replaced with increasing levels of cowpea seeds (100 and 200 g/kg: CPS10 and CPS20 groups). Iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets were designed with comparable levels of total lysine, sulphury amino acids (methionine + cysteine), calcium, and phosphorus. At the end of the experiment (49-day finishing period), all pigs were slaughtered. To evaluate physicochemical traits and the fatty acid profile, samples of the Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle were collected. Incorporating CPS into pig diets produced no significant effects on growth performance (final BW, ADG, ADFI, FCR) or carcass characteristics. Overall, CPS inclusion did not affect blood biochemical indices or most meat quality parameters; however, a 20% CPS level decreased fat content, and both CPS treatments reduced the pH at 24 h post mortem, without affecting meat color or drip loss. Chewiness and resilience were lower in CPS10 group compared to CON group. Finally, the inclusion of CPS into the pigs’ diet ensured (p = 0.032) higher relative proportions of n-3 PUFAs within total muscle FAMEs, in the LD muscle, including, in particular, α-linolenic acid (p = 0.043), docosapentaenoic acid (p = 0.047), and docosahexaenoic acid (p = 0.044), which allowed for an increase in the hypo-/hypercholesterolemia ratio (p = 0.044) and a reduction in the n-6/n-3 PUFAs ratio (p = 0.037) compared with the CON group. In conclusion, raw Aura 26 cowpea seeds could partially replace soybean meal in fattening pig diets without adversely affecting productive performance while favorably altering the relative fatty acid composition of LD muscle lipids. Full article

Cowpea is a crop of great importance worldwide. Consuming pods and green beans provides vitamins, minerals, and functional components for people with limited access to vegetables. The objective of this study was to use machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to classify and distinguish cowpea lines based on images of their pods and green beans. Digital images of four heirloom landraces of the cowpea genotypes (Sempre Verde, Rabo de Tatu, Corujinha, and Paulistinha) and nine cultivars (BRS Novaera, BRS Olhonegro, BRS Verdejante, BRS Exuberante, BRS Pajeú, BRS Miranda, IPA 206, BRS Tapaihum, and BRS Pingo de Ouro) were processed using four deep learning architectures for feature extraction (vectorization): InceptionV3, SqueezeNet, VGG16, and VGG19. Six machine learning algorithms were evaluated: K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Decision Tree, Random Forest (RF), Gradient Boosting (GB), Support Vector Machines (SVM), and Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP). The MLP (Multi-Layer Perceptron) and SVM models performed best, particularly when integrated with the InceptionV3 embedder. In terms of classification efficiency, the evaluated algorithms achieved exceptional accuracy, reaching a Classification Accuracy (CA) of 0.999 for pod discrimination and 1.000 for green beans. For pod classification, these models achieved high performance metrics, including an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 1.000. For green beans, the MLP maintained a high Area Under the Curve (AUC = 1.000) and better probabilistic calibration (lower Log-Loss) than the SVM. Digital image-based identification using machine learning is an efficient, non-destructive approach for morphological characterization and discrimination of cowpea genotypes, supporting high-throughput phenotyping applications. Full article

This study evaluated the combined effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and two molybdenum (Mo) doses on cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L., cv. Karnıkara) grown under saline and non-saline soil conditions. A greenhouse experiment was conducted using a 2 × 6 factorial design with three replications, and morphological, physiological, biochemical and mycorrhizal traits were measured. The Mo doses were deliberately set above the agronomic range in order to test how the symbiosis behaves under Mo excess. Salinity reduced fresh root weight by 53% and root length by 30%, whereas stomatal conductance and soil catalase activity increased by 87% and 379%, respectively. None of the treatments changed plant height, plant fresh weight, stomatal conductance, root length or root fresh weight: the main treatment effect and the treatment × soil interaction were not significant for any plant growth trait. Under saline conditions, AMF applied alone produced the highest mycorrhizal density (3.7%), and the addition of Mo reduced it, indicating a dose-dependent suppression of colonization rather than a synergistic enhancement. The AMF × Mo interaction was significant for soil enzyme activities but not for plant biomass, indicating that the combination acted mainly on the soil biochemical compartment. Overall, AMF and Mo influenced largely separable components of the cowpea plant–soil system under salinity. Under the experimental conditions, AMF application under salinity was associated with more favorable responses in terms of root development and stomatal characteristics, whereas the combined application of supra-optimal Mo doses with AMF did not provide a marked improvement in these responses. These results should be interpreted within the context of the application doses and experimental conditions used in this study. Further field studies encompassing different soil properties, salinity levels, Mo doses, and growing conditions are needed before these findings can be directly generalized to broader agronomic conditions. Full article

Despite declining water availability in semi-arid environments, demand for high-quality forages by the livestock and dairy industries continues to grow. Researching alternative crops for high quality forage and water use efficiency remains a priority for these regions to meet this growing demand. Cereal grass-legume intercropping system may provide such a viable alternative to traditional sole cropping to improve nutritive value, while maintaining the current yield levels with limited supply of water. A study was conducted near West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX, USA. during 2020 and 2021 to evaluate forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]-cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] and pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) Leeke]-cowpea intercrops for forage production, nutritive value (crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVTDMD)), and water use efficiency (WUE) under limited irrigation. Treatments were sole pearl millet (PM), sole forage sorghum (FS), sole cowpea (C), or mixtures of either pearl millet-cowpea or forage sorghum-cowpea planted in the same row (PM-C or FS-C), alternating rows (millet-cowpea 1:1 (PM-C 1:1) or forage sorghum-cowpea 1:1 (FS-C 1:1), or two rows alternating (millet-cowpea 2:2 (PM-C 2:2) or sorghum-cowpea 2:2 (FS-C 2:2). Results from both study years indicated that FS-C 1:1 intercrop showed either greater or equal forage dry matter (DM) yield compared to sole FS or sole PM (14.5 Mg ha⁻¹ (FS-C 1:1) vs. 13.8 Mg ha⁻¹ (FS) vs. 11.9 Mg ha⁻¹ (PM)). Similarly, the relative advantage of FS-C 1:1 intercrop in improving WUE was also observed in the study compared to sole FS and sole PM (44 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ (FS-C 1:1) vs. 41.6 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ (FS) vs. 35.9 kg ha⁻¹ mm⁻¹ (PM). CP yield per hectare (estimate based on DM yield and percent CP content) was also greater for the forage sorghum-cowpea planted in 1:1 alternate rows. This suggests that producers in the semi-arid USA, especially in the Southern High Plains, can be significantly benefited from the utilization of cereal grass-legume intercropping production systems in lieu of sole cropping as the basis for livestock rations without compromising yield and water productivity. Full article

The hilly agroecosystems of north-western Maharashtra harbor rich agrobiodiversity, but agricultural intensification and widespread adoption of improved cultivars are accelerating the erosion of traditional crop landraces. However, comprehensive information on the current status of on-farm agrobiodiversity and the extent of ongoing genetic erosion in these tribal-dominated landscapes remains limited. This study assessed on-farm agri-horticultural diversity, landrace prevalence, genetic erosion, and indigenous conservation practices across Akole, Igatpuri, Shahada, and Dhadgaon. Field surveys, household interviews, and focus group discussions documented traditional crop landraces, wild edible species, and farmer-led conservation practices. Agrobiodiversity was evaluated using the Prevalence Index, Berger–Parker Index, Menhinick’s Diversity Index, and Shannon Diversity Index. More than 150 traditional landraces representing cereals, millets, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables, fruits, and legumes, together with over 35 wild edible plant species, were recorded. Hyacinth bean (PI = 10.00), mango (PI = 5.35), groundnut (PI = 5.25) and wheat (PI = 4.17) showed the highest prevalence in Akole–Igatpuri, whereas cowpea (PI = 2.50) and pigeonpea (PI = 2.33) predominated in Shahada–Dhadgaon. Shannon diversity values ranged from 0.69 to 3.01 and 1.01 to 2.17, indicating substantial variation in landrace diversity. Community seed banks and farmer-managed seed systems continue to support the conservation of locally adapted landraces despite ongoing varietal replacement. This study provides a comprehensive baseline for understanding the status of on-farm agrobiodiversity in north-western Maharashtra. It highlights the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge with community-based and policy-driven conservation strategies to strengthen the long-term resilience and sustainability of traditional farming systems. Full article

Global climate change has intensified prolonged droughts, making the development of sustainable agricultural technologies essential. Although potassium humate (KH) and Bacillus aryabhattai (BA) are recognized individually as effective biostimulants, their joint application represents an innovative, unexplored complementary strategy to mitigate drought stress in cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of these bio-inputs on mitigating water stress in the cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) cultivar ‘BRS Verdejante’. The experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions using a completely randomized design in a 2 × 8 factorial arrangement, with two water regimes (100% and 50% crop evapotranspiration—ETc) and eight biostimulant combinations of KH and BA. While BA alone (T4) intensified osmotic adjustment via proline accumulation and APX activation, the combined treatment T5 (10 mg kg⁻¹ soil KH + 4 mL kg⁻¹ seed BA containing 1 × 10⁸ CFU mL⁻¹) achieved the best overall performance under drought (50% ETc). T5 effectively enhanced superoxide dismutase activity, preserved leaf relative water content, and reduced cell membrane electrolyte leakage by 42.6% compared to untreated stressed plants. These physiological adaptations protected reproductive organs, resulting in a 51.6% increase in pod number per plant under drought. The strategic co-application of low-dose potassium humate (10 mg kg⁻¹ soil) and B. aryabhattai (4 mL kg⁻¹ seed) effectively regulates osmotic and oxidative homeostasis, maintaining pod formation (+51.6%) and securing cowpea grain yield per plant under drought stress, thus serving as a promising strategy to mitigate drought stress in cowpea under controlled greenhouse conditions. Full article

Cover cropping can be a promising management strategy to improve soil health in the tropics. Our study evaluated physical, chemical, and microbiological indicators of soil health three years after implementing a maize and cowpea cover crop rotation with five fertilizer rates in replicated plots on a Torrifluventic Haplustepts in the southern semiarid coast of Puerto Rico. The Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) was used to integrate different soil parameters to provide a comprehensive overview of soil health changes. Water aggregate stability (WAS) was not affected by cover crops. Soil pH significantly decreased with increasing nitrogen (N) fertilization rate and with cover crop rotation. Chemical and microbial indicators of soil health related to organic matter dynamics and nutrient cycling potential [e.g., microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), potentially mineralizable N (PMN), β-glucosidase activity, combined enzyme activity for carbon (C), N, and phosphorus (P) cycling (β-glucosidase, β-glucosaminidase, and acid phosphatase] were significantly (p < 0.1) improved by cover crop but were not affected by fertilizer rate or cover crop x fertilizer rate. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) analysis showed that only G+ bacteria were significantly higher due to cover cropping. Principal component analysis revealed that total FAMEs and markers for G+ bacteria, G− bacteria, actinobacteria, and saprophytic fungi responded similarly to management and were generally influenced by cover cropping. Overall, improvements in microbial communities led to significant increases in key functions supporting soil health and sustainability within just three years of cover cropping adoption. The SMAF, as a well-known soil quality/health index, detected early benefits of using cover crops. Our study provided evidence that these indicators can serve as tools to assist farmers in selecting sustainable management practices such as cover crops in the tropics, yet long-term monitoring is still needed. Full article

Calibrating the mutagenic dose is the first practical step of any radiation mutation-breeding programme, and it is usually summarised by the median lethal dose (LD50) or the median growth-reduction dose (GR50). We asked whether an accessible, image-based phenotyping pipeline can quantify the early radiation response of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) seedlings finely enough to estimate GR50 and to rank organ- and pigment-level sensitivities. Seeds of the traditional Paraguayan landrace kumandá pyta’i were exposed to Cobalt-60 gamma rays at 0, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 Gy, grown in a greenhouse, and photographed at the early seedling stage. A single calibrated photograph (5.1 px mm⁻¹) of 83 seedlings was segmented in Fiji/ImageJ 1.54p and analysed with Python to extract morphometric traits (total, root, and shoot length, root:shoot ratio, tortuosity, and a two-dimensional biomass proxy) and colorimetric traits (CIE L*a*b*, a normalised greenness index, and colour-class pixel fractions). Because the data departed from normality, dose effects were tested with Kruskal–Wallis, Spearman rank correlation, and Dunn post hoc tests, and GR50 was estimated by regression of each trait expressed as a percentage of the control. Total length, shoot length, and the biomass proxy declined significantly with dose (Spearman ρ = −0.40, −0.51, and −0.47; all p < 0.001), preceded by a low-dose stimulation at 100 Gy. Estimated GR50 values were ≈390 Gy for shoot length, ≈510 Gy for total length, and ≈550 Gy for the biomass proxy, within the range reported for other cowpea genotypes. Shoot elongation was more radiosensitive than root elongation, so the root:shoot ratio did not decline; tortuosity showed no dose response. Among pigment traits, the loss of greenness was the most robust signal (a* increased, ρ = +0.62, p = 5 × 10⁻¹⁰; green pixel fraction fell from 0.32 to near zero by 500 Gy). These results show that single-photograph phenotyping resolves a coherent, statistically supported dose response and yields a GR50 estimate usable for dose calibration. For kumandá pyta’i, doses of roughly 300–400 Gy (below GR50) are the most defensible starting window for mutation induction. The framework is reproducible and low-cost, but it is based on one greenhouse experiment and a single genotype, and should be validated across independent trials and cultivars. Full article

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis, also known as yardlong bean) is an important winter horticultural crop in Hainan, and Fusarium wilt seriously threatens its yield and quality. To clarify the pathogen and screen antagonistic bacteria, surveys were conducted in 14 fields across Hainan’s major cowpea-growing areas. The causal agent was isolated, tested for pathogenicity, and identified using morphological and multigene molecular methods. Meanwhile, rhizosphere and endophytic bacteria from healthy plants were screened by dual culture, and candidate strains were phylogenetically analyzed using whole-genome sequencing (285 orthologous single-copy genes). Fusarium wilt occurred in all 14 fields (mean incidence 15.35%, range 3.20–76.40%). Of 44 fungal isolates, six were highly pathogenic and identified as Fusarium oxysporum. Twenty-two bacterial strains showed stable antagonism against F. oxysporum, with inhibition rates ranging from 42.62% to 68.47%. Phylogenetic analysis based on whole-genome sequences identified 15 Bacillus strains to the species level (12 B. velezensis, 2 B. subtilis, 1 B. tropicus), while the remaining seven strains belonged to Lysinibacillus (1), Pantoea (1), Klebsiella (1), Serratia (2), and Pseudomonas (2). Draft genome sequences of all 22 strains were obtained. This study provides a collection of biocontrol bacterial resources and genomic information for managing cowpea Fusarium wilt. Full article

This study investigates the impact of selected soil parameters and integrated fertilizer formulations on the productivity of three legume crops—mung bean, soybean, and cowpea—in order to identify the optimal strategies to maximize yields through reduced nitrogen and bio-augmentation. A five-year experiment composed of 2-year pot trials (2019–2020) and 3-year field trials (2022–2024) was conducted to assess the changes in soil parameters (N, P, K, OM, pH) and yield response of crops with varying amounts (1, 2, 4 kg) of Bradyrhizobium-based biofertilizer combined with a 25–50% reduction in mineral N fertilizer. The biofertilizer was composed of locally isolated strains, which were genetically identified in our previous reports as B. elkanii NE1-6, NE2-1, B. diazoefficiens NE1-65, Bradyrhizobium sp. NE1-19, NE1-34, and NE2-3. The results indicated that the amount of K strongly influenced yield increase for soybean (r = 0.85, p < 0.05) and mung bean (r = 0.67, p < 0.05), while the amount of N had the greatest influence on cowpea (r = 0.60, p < 0.05). Soybean yield was maximized with a 50% reduction in N fertilizer (20 kg N) combined with 2–4 kg biofertilizer, while cowpea and mung bean achieved increased yields at 25% reduced N fertilizer combined with 2–4 kg biofertilizer. This study confirms the viability of integrating Bradyrhizobium-based biofertilizer with a 25–50% reduction in mineral N fertilizer without yield loss by harnessing the efficient N-fixation ability of the strains in the consortium. Full article

Megalurothrips usitatus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is a key destructive pest of cowpea, resulting in considerable economic losses. Understanding M. usitatus’s oviposition preference in various plant parts under distinct photoperiod treatments is important for its success in pest control. We placed mated females with cowpea stems, leaves and pods in rearing boxes. After 24 h, eggs were counted after basic fuchsin staining. Hatched nymphs were recorded over 7 days. Morphology and histology were examined by microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. A statistical comparison on the number of egg-laying and hatching nymphs was conducted in different cowpea parts under photoperiod (L:D = 18:6) and continuous darkness (L:D = 0:24). Under photoperiod (L:D = 18:6), oviposition preference ranked as follows: pods (61.7%) > leaves (29.4%) > stems (8.9%). Nymph numbers followed the same order (79.5%, 14.9%, and 5.5%, respectively). Eggs were laid beneath leaf epidermis, concentrated around leaf veins. Under continuous darkness, total nymphs (284) did not differ from photoperiod (L:D = 18:6) (308). The numbers of stem and pod-hatched nymphs were decreased, while the leaf-hatched nymphs increased significantly (46 to 106). In conclusion, M. usitatus prefers pods for oviposition. Darkness does not alter total reproductive output but increases oviposition and hatch rate in leaves, shifting egg spatial distribution among plant parts. Full article

In Burkina Faso, native and improved forage species and crop residues are widely used as feed resources for ruminant livestock. Accurate information on their chemical composition, digestibility, and voluntary intake is essential for balanced and cost-effective ration formulation. This study, conducted from 2021 to 2022 at the INERA research station with Djallonké sheep, evaluated the nutritional quality of key forage resources: Brachiaria cv. Mulato II, Panicum maximum cvs. Zuri and C1, Andropogon gayanus, maize and millet straws, and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and peanut (Arachis hypogaea) haulms. Four trials were conducted using six intact adult male sheep per forage. For each trial, the animals were fed ad libitum during a 14-day adaptation period, followed by a 7–8-day measurement phase for intake and digestibility. The chemical composition of each forage was analyzed by NIR spectrometry using ILRI-validated equations for tropical forages and crop residues for Burkina Faso. Protein contents in the hays and straws ranged from 3.81% to 5.72%, with fiber contents of 71.76–78.16%. Forages harvested at heading and preserved as hay had higher nutrient levels than straws, while improved green fodder protein contents exceeded 7%. Peanut (14.75%) and cowpea (14.03%) haulms showed the highest protein concentrations. Intake was greatest for Panicum maximum cv. C1 (56.78 g/kg BW^0.75, p < 0.05), with legume haulms (81.10 gDM/kgBW^0.75) consumed more than green fodder (47.65 gDM/kgBW^0.75). Digestibility was highest with peanut haulms (62.72%). These findings provide updated insights to strengthen Burkina Faso’s feed database and guide balanced livestock ration formulation. Full article

The study on the valorization of natural resources through cowpea cultivation represents a challenge to mitigate the negative effects of climate change on the environment and on the food security of the population in drought-affected areas globally, and specifically in the sandy soil area of Romania. Thus, the existence in Romania of an area of approximately 439,000 ha with sands and sandy soils, soils with low natural fertility (below 1.2% humus) and with deficient hydrophysical properties, implies finding solutions for their efficient valorization through ecological modeling of the species/varieties structure, depending on the adaptability of the plant in a given area. In this sense, given the economic importance of cowpea, given by the plant’s properties (drought resistance, source of increasing the organic matter content in sands, source of atmospheric nitrogen fixation, good precursor plant, source of protein for humans and animals), the cultivation of this species in a sustainable agricultural system is outlined, as an alternative solution to the cultivation of other leguminous plants. Considered a crop suitable for a climate change scenario, the conservation of genetic biodiversity and the establishment of technological inputs are essential objectives for promoting cowpea in a sustainable agricultural system, given the increasing drought in the world and the increasing need for protein. Full article

Cowpea mild mottle virus (CPMMV) is a carlavirus that is transmitted by whiteflies and can also be spread through seeds in cowpea, soybean, and common bean. Seed transmission of CPMMV has been described in various countries; however, it was only recently reported in Brazil as a seed-transmitted virus in soybean. CPMMV has spread widely in bean-growing areas in recent years. Most Brazilian farmers use harvested grains as seed for reseeding, increasing the risk of seedborne infection. In this study, we examine seed transmission of CPMMV in two bean cultivars using RT-PCR in combination with nucleic acid hybridization. The plants evaluated were obtained from seeds harvested in commercial and experimental fields and from seeds collected in transmission experiments using either mechanical or whitefly inoculation. The observed seed transmission was estimated between 10 to 45% for ‘BRS FC 401 RMD’ and 13 to 22% for ‘Pérola’. In addition, evidence of secondary transmission (23.3%) by Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 was observed. These results suggest that CPMMV could be spread in bean fields by sowing infected seeds and that germinated plants could serve as an inoculum for whitefly transmission. This is the first report of seed transmission of CPMMV in common bean in Brazil. Full article

Biochar derived from açaí (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) processing residues represents a sustainable strategy to improve fertility and mitigate acidity in highly weathered tropical soils. This study evaluated the effects of açaí biochar (0 and 12 Mg ha⁻¹), combined with dolomitic limestone (0, 75%, and 100% of the recommended rate), on chemical, biological, and agronomic attributes of a clayey Ferralsol cultivated with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) in the Amazon. A field experiment was conducted in a randomized block design with six treatments and four replicates. Soil samples were collected from the rhizosphere and from the 0–5, 5–10, and 10–20 cm layers to determine pH, exchangeable Al, pseudo-total concentrations of K, Ca, Mg, total carbon (TC), organic carbon (OC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC), β-glucosidase, and cellulase activity. Biochar increased soil pH (0–10 cm), reduced exchangeable Al, and increased pseudo-total K throughout the soil profile, whereas liming primarily increased Ca and Mg availability and contributed to acidity correction. A significant biochar × lime interaction was observed for exchangeable Al in surface layers, while Mg responses varied depending on depth and treatment combination. Biochar also enhanced cellulase activity, total carbon (TC), and microbial biomass carbon (MBC), while reducing β-glucosidase in surface layers, with no effect on organic carbon (OC) determined by the Walkley–Black method. Cowpea grain yield increased by 16% with biochar and showed additive response to lime, reaching 1460 kg ha⁻¹ under combined application, 13.6% higher than lime alone. These results indicate that açaí biochar acts as a complementary amendment for improving soil fertility, biological functioning, and crop performance in acidic tropical soils. Full article