Search Results (524)

This study aimed to determine the effect of phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia), dill (Anethum graveolens), and mustard (Sinapis alba) used as companion plants in red beetroot cultivation on the occurrence of Aphis fabae and predatory Syrphidae. Flowering plants were established along the edges of the beetroot crop. Aphid populations on beetroot were monitored, while syrphid larvae and pupae were collected from aphid colonies, and adult syrphids were sampled from flowers of the companion plants. The results show that beetroots grown without flowering companions had significantly higher aphid populations. The strongest aphid reduction occurred in red beetroot grown near phacelia, with aphid numbers 7.9–52.7 times lower than in control plots. Flowering strips increased the abundance of hoverfly larvae and pupae in aphid colonies, with the highest numbers recorded near dill. In total, 440 predatory syrphid larvae and pupae representing 11 species were collected from black bean aphid colonies on beetroots, whereas 3246 hoverfly adults from 46 species were observed on flowering plants, confirming their role in biological aphid control. In both cases, the eudominant group included E. balteatus, S. menthastri, and S. scripta. Dill flowers were the most attractive in terms of the number of captured syrphid specimens, whereas mustard showed the highest species diversity. Full article

Plant-based food systems increasingly rely on heat-induced gelation of protein–starch mixtures, yet no focused synthesis has linked legume protein composition to mixed gel structure and function. This review critically analyses heat-induced gelation mechanisms in legume protein–starch systems, using the legumin-to-vicilin (L:V) ratio and starch origin as integrating design parameters. Legume storage proteins range from legumin-rich faba bean and Lupinus angustifolius, which form dense, disulfide-stabilised networks with high storage moduli, to vicilin-dominated mung bean, which produces weaker gels reliant on starch reinforcement. Pulse starches, characterised by high amylose content (24–45%), C-type crystallinity, and rapid amylose retrogradation upon cooling, act as a parallel gel-forming phase whose contribution scales inversely with protein network strength. Four protein–starch interaction modes, namely segregative phase separation, water competition, granule filler effects, and molecular complexation, jointly determine microstructure and rheological behaviour. A three-axis compositional framework defined by the L:V ratio, starch amylose content, and protein-to-starch ratio maps the gel design space. Variables favouring plant-based meat analogue performance, including high elastic modulus, yield stress, and hardness, are systematically opposed by dysphagia food requirements, including low yield stress, adequate lubrication, and soft fracture. This demonstrates that both application domains traverse the same compositional space in opposite directions. Critical research gaps include chickpea and lentil performance in meat analogue systems, mechanistic modelling of protein-matrix-mediated starch digestibility, and retrogradation kinetics during food storage. Full article

Aphis craccivora is a major piercing–sucking insect pest in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) production and severely restricts yield and quality. To identify aphid-resistant genetic resources and clarify the key physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying resistance and susceptibility, 937 faba bean germplasm accessions were evaluated using a stepwise strategy comprising natural field screening, precise net-house re-screening, laboratory validation based on aphid life-table parameters, and physiological and biochemical characterization of representative resistant and susceptible accessions. After final laboratory validation, three resistant and three susceptible accessions were selected and subjected to aphid feeding for 0 h (CK), 36 h, and 72 h. Eleven physiological and biochemical traits were dynamically analyzed, including the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), as well as the contents of soluble protein, soluble sugar, free amino acids, tannins, total phenolics, flavonoids, and lignin. Three stable aphid-resistant accessions were ultimately identified. Laboratory life-table analysis showed that the net reproductive rate of aphids on resistant accessions was significantly lower than that on susceptible accessions, with R₀ decreasing from 53.63 to 25.08, representing a reduction of 53.2%. The intrinsic rate of increase decreased by 26.7%, whereas the mean generation time increased by 10.7%, confirming the reliability of the screening results. Physiological and biochemical analyses showed that aphid feeding induced significant and time-dependent increases in SOD, POD, CAT, and PAL activities and in tannin, total phenolic, flavonoid, and lignin contents in resistant accessions, whereas these defense responses were weak in susceptible accessions. In contrast, susceptible accessions showed abnormal accumulation of soluble sugars and free amino acids, whereas resistant accessions maintained these nutrients at low levels. Lignin exhibited both constitutive and inducible defense characteristics in resistant accessions and emerged as a prominent candidate indicator for aphid resistance in faba bean. This study establishes an effective technical pipeline for screening aphid-resistant faba bean germplasm and reveals a coordinated defense network involving antioxidant enzymes, phenylpropanoid metabolism, secondary metabolites, and physical barriers. These findings provide elite parental germplasm and theoretical support for aphid-resistance breeding in faba bean. Full article

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 development of novel plant-based products using unconventional food matrices increases the risk of introducing mycotoxins into the food system. Biological detoxification methods, particularly those involving lactic acid bacteria (LAB), are considered sustainable and safe strategies. In this study, we screened 142 plant-derived LAB strains across 17 species for their fermentation performance and mycotoxin removal capacity during faba fermentation. Among them, 84 strains showed rapid acidification. The plating of 11 selected strains confirmed robust growth with cell densities ranging from 4 × 10⁸ to 2.18 × 10⁹ CFU/mL. Screening for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) removal in complex medium identified several strains that could reduce AFB1 in the supernatant. However, complete toxin extraction after faba fermentation indicated that AFB1 was not enzymatically degraded. Similarly, no significant degradation of ochratoxin A or zearalenone was observed during faba fermentation. Additionally, a cell binding test with 11 selected strains showed that all strains bound AFB1, with efficiencies from about 10% to 35%. Notably, Lentilactobacillus hilgardii NFICC857 demonstrated the highest binding capacity, which has never been reported before. Our study provides preliminary insight into plant-derived LAB in mycotoxin removal. Given the vast unexplored diversity of LAB in nature, the discovery of novel strains with enhanced mycotoxin-binding capacity and potential enzymatic degradation remains promising. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of tillage and sowing systems on faba bean productivity and subsequent wheat yield under variable weather conditions in western Poland. A field experiment conducted in 2017–2019 compared four systems: conventional tillage with row sowing (CRS), conventional tillage with strip-drill sowing (SD-C), reduced tillage with strip-drill sowing (SD-R), and zero tillage with strip-drill sowing (SD-Z). Weather conditions varied markedly between years and were the main factor influencing yield formation. Faba bean seed yield declined from 6.3 t ha⁻¹ in 2017 to 1.0 t ha⁻¹ in 2019 due to reduced pod and seed numbers. Yield was strongly correlated with seeds per plant (r = 0.95), pods per plant (r = 0.86), and rainfall (r = 0.91). Strip-drill systems generally produced higher seed and protein yields than CRS, particularly under favorable moisture conditions, while protein content remained relatively stable. The establishment system of the preceding faba bean crop also affected subsequent wheat yield, with higher yields observed after strip-drill systems. Overall, weather conditions, especially water availability, were the primary drivers of productivity, whereas strip-drill systems improved crop performance and rotational benefits under variable climatic conditions. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of locally sourced ingredient dietary, with or without supplementation of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens; BSF) larvae, on laying hen welfare. A total of 150 Lohman White hens aged 30 weeks were assigned to three treatments over ten weeks: a standard corn–soybean diet (CONTROL), an alternative diet incorporating triticale, faba beans and rapeseed meal (ALTER), and the ALTER diet supplemented with 5% dried BSF larvae provided separately (ALTER + BSF). Welfare assessments included larvae consumption time, a novel object test, an avoidance distance test, body condition scoring, and ethological observation of natural behaviors. Hens fed ALTER diet initially showed increased incidence of comb pecking wounds, which declined over the trial, along with reduced morning grooming compared to the CONTROL group (p = 0.009). However, the ALTER diet significantly improved plumage cleanliness (p < 0.001). Supplementation with BSF larvae partially mitigated early stress responses, maintained plumage cleanliness, and improved exploratory behavior and habituation to novelty (p < 0.001). Hens showed sustained and increased motivation to consume BSF larvae with an average consumption time of 5.5 min. Additionally, BSF supplementation was associated with increased resting and the emergence of dustbathing behavior during the afternoon (p < 0.05). No aggressive behaviors were observed, and no significant dietary effects were found for human fearfulness throughout the trial. In conclusion, dried BSF larvae can serve as effective environmental enrichment, improving hens’ adaptability to locally sourced diets in rural farming systems. 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

Continuous potato cropping is usually associated with a reduction in tuber yield and deterioration in crop structure, resulting in a decrease in the proportion of marketable produce. The effect of crop rotation, cultivar selection, the range of chemical plant protection, and the periodic introduction of an intercrop on potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) yield was studied in a field experiment at the Production–Experimental Station in Bałcyny near Ostróda, belonging to the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, where potatoes have been continuously cultivated since 1973. Results from 2015 to 2023, corresponding to the 43rd–51st year of continuous potato cropping, were compared to a six-course crop rotation (potato—oat—flax—winter rye—faba bean—winter triticale). The study discusses the yield of two potato cultivars (Catania and Red Sonia) across two periods: 2015–2018 and 2019–2023. In the first period, potatoes were grown according to the general experimental design, whereas in 2019–2023, the cultivation included an additional intercrop of oil radish (Raphanus sativus L.) cv. Rolterra In both series of studies, the experimental factors included potato cultivation without the use of plant protection products (object O) and objects with the application of herbicides (H) and herbicides and fungicides (H + F). The introduction of intercropping into continuous potato cropping was more effective than the application of pesticides and limited the scale of yield decline in relation to crop rotation. In the case of the Catania cultivar, the mean difference in yield between crop rotation and continuous cropping in the first series of tests (without intercropping) was 50.4%, and in the second series (after introducing intercropping), it decreased to 22.3%. The corresponding mean differences for the Red Sonia cultivar were 45.5% in the first series and 12.9% in the second series. Furthermore, in the second series of studies (thanks to the introduction of intercropping), the mean share of marketable yield in continuous cropping increased from 35.1% to 51.9% (for the Catania cultivar) and from 23.6% to 35.8% (for the Red Sonia cultivar). In summary, the introduction of oil radish as an intercrop was the most effective factor (more effective than the choice of potato cultivar and use of chemical crop protection products) to limit the negative aspects of long-term continuous potato cropping, improving yield, yield stability, and the share of marketable tubers. 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