Search Results (75)

The rising global demand for food, including potatoes, necessitates increased crop production. To achieve higher yields, farmers frequently depend on regular applications of nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers. As people seek more environmentally friendly alternatives, biofertilizers are gaining popularity as a potential replacement for synthetic fertilizers. This study aimed to determine how Glomus iranicum affects the growth of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) and the nutritional value of potato tubers when grown alongside broad beans (Vicia faba L.). An experiment was conducted using potatoes tested at five dosage levels of G. iranicum, ranging from 0 to 4 g, to see its impact on the plants and soil. Inoculation with G. iranicum produced variable results in associated potato and bean crops, with significant effects on some variables. In particular, inoculation with 3 g of G. iranicum produced an increase in plant height (24%), leaf dry weight (90%), and tuber dry weight (57%) of potatoes. Similarly, 4 g of G. iranicum produced an increase in the foliar fresh weight (115%), root length (124%), root fresh weight (159%), and root dry weight (243%) of broad beans compared to no inoculation. These findings suggest that G. iranicum could be a helpful biological tool in Andean crops to improve the productivity of potatoes associated with broad beans. This could potentially reduce the need for chemical fertilizers in these crops. 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

This study analyzes the potential of optical and radar satellite data to monitor faba bean (Vicia faba L.) phenology over six years (2016–2021) in southwestern France. Using Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, and Landsat-8 data, temporal variations in NDVI and radar backscatter coefficients (γ⁰_VV, γ⁰_VH, and γ⁰_VH/VV) are examined to assess crop growth, detect anomalies, and evaluate the impact of climatic conditions and sowing strategies. The results show that NDVI and the radar ratio (γ⁰_VH/VV) were suited to monitor faba bean phenology, with distinct growth phases observed annually. NDVI provides a clear seasonal pattern but is affected by cloud cover, while radar backscatter offers continuous monitoring, making their combination highly beneficial. The signal γ⁰_VH/VV exhibits well-marked correlations with NDVI (r = 0.81) and LAI (r = 0.83), particularly in orbit 30, which provides greater sensitivity to vegetation changes. The analysis of individual fields (inter-field approach) reveals variations in sowing strategies, with both autumn and spring plantings detected. Fields sown in autumn show early NDVI (and γ⁰_VH/VV) increases, while spring-sown fields display delayed growth patterns. This study also highlights the impact of climatic factors, such as precipitation and temperature, on inter-annual variability. Moreover, faba beans used as an intercropping species exhibit a shorter and more intense growth cycle, with a rapid NDVI (and γ⁰_VH/VV) increase and an earlier end of the vegetative cycle compared to standard rotations. Double logistic modeling successfully reconstructs temporal trends, achieving high accuracy (r > 0.95 and rRMSE < 9% for γ⁰_VH/VV signals and r > 0.89 and rRMSE < 15% for NDVI). These double logistic functions are capable of reproducing the differences in phenological development observed between fields and years, providing a reference set of functions that can be used to monitor the phenological development of faba beans in real time. Future applications could extend this methodology to other crops and explore alternative radar systems for improved monitoring (such as TerraSAR-X, Cosmos-SkyMed, ALOS-2/PALSAR, NISAR, ROSE-L…). 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 (Vicia faba L.) is a valuable ingredient in plant-based foods such as meat and dairy analogues. However, its typical taste and aroma are considered off-flavours in these food applications, representing a bottleneck during processing. Breeding is needed to develop varieties with minimal off-flavours and high protein content. The genetic regulation of these traits is underexplored. To dissect their genetic architecture, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS). A total of 245 faba bean accessions (the CGN population) were genotyped using the 90K-SPET targeted assay. These accessions were phenotyped in 2021 and 2022 in the Netherlands for protein, oil, fatty acids, lipid-derived products, phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins. The CGN population showed large phenotypic variation and moderate-to-high narrow-sense heritability for most traits. The growing environment significantly affected all traits, with trait-specific genotype-by-year (GxY) interactions. Condensed tannins and fatty acids were the most stable across the two years and had the highest heritability estimates (h² > 0.6). GWAS identified a total of 148 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) loci in 2021 and 167 in 2022. Key candidate regulators included genes involved in lipid biosynthesis (ATS2, KAS, LPP), amino acid transport (CAT4) for protein storage, zero tannins locus-1 (zt-1), and regulators of the phenylpropanoid pathway, such as a shikimate kinase gene and transcription factors bHLH137-like and MYB. These results pave the way for validation studies and biotechnological applications to improve the quality of faba bean-based foods. Full article

The potential of terminating cover crops with a roller-crimper is of increasing interest. A two-year (2020/21 and 2021/22) study was conducted in Fresno, CA, USA. Five cover crop treatments (rye (Secale cereale L.) alone, ultra-high diversity mix, multiplex cover crop mix, fava bean (Vicia faba L.) + phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth.), and rye + field pea (Pisum sativum L.) + purple vetch (Vicia americana Muhl. Ex Willd.)) were planted in November, roller-crimped in April, and silage maize (Zea mays L.) was strip-till planted in the residue in May. Cover crop kill, soil cover by residue, weed cover, amount of organic residue, and silage maize yield were recorded. The roller-crimper resulted in 95 to 100% kill of the cover crops. Soil cover at maize canopy closure (mid-July) was approximately 90% in the rye plots while it was 30 to 70% in the other treatments. The fava bean + phacelia cover crop disintegrated the most rapidly. Weed cover was <5% in all the treatments until maize canopy closure. The cover crops added 6.7 to 14 MT ha⁻¹ of residue. Maize silage yield was similar across the treatments. Therefore, in this study, cover crops were successfully terminated by the roller-crimper, allowing successful strip-till establishment and production of silage maize. Full article

Due to the intensification of human activities, the ecosystems are being polluted by heavy metals. The pollution of heavy metals in agricultural systems has become a serious issue of global concern. This study detected the bioaccumulation of cadmium (Cd) in broad beans and aphids through continuous exposure to varying concentrations of Cd pollution (0, 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50 mg/L) and subsequently examined its effects on aphid energy metabolism and reproductive ability. The results showed that Cd can be transmitted and accumulated between Vicia faba L. and aphids along the food chain, and the amount of accumulation was related to the Cd treatment concentration. Quantitative real-time PCR results showed that the expression levels of trehalase (TRE) and trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS) in F1 were significantly upregulated, and those of vitellogenin (Vg) were varied across the five generations of aphids after Cd treatment, which were up-regulated, and others down-regulated. Compared with the control group, the glycogen content and two types of trehalase activities of the first-generation Cd-treatment aphids were decreased, while trehalose content increased; there was no significant change in the carbohydrate content and trehalase activity of the fourth and fifth generations of aphids. In addition, the reproduction of female aphids was inhibited. This research is helpful for studying the toxic effects of heavy metals on insects and the adaptation mechanisms of insects to extreme environments. It also provides a theoretical basis for further exploring the molecular mechanisms of Cd homeostasis in plants and insects under Cd stress. Full article

Fava bean (Vicia faba L.) is a protein-rich pulse with high nutritional value, but its functional and sensory characteristics limit its application in foods. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) can modify the composition of plant proteins, modulate its functionality, and enhance the sensory aspects. In this study, fava bean flour (FB) was fermented with Aspergillus oryzae and Rhizopus oligosporus to produce FBA and FBR, respectively, ingredients with distinct nutritional, functional, and aroma characteristics. The protein content increased by 20% in FBA and 8% in FBR, while fat levels rose more significantly in FBR (+40%). The overall content of fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) decreased by 47% (FBA) and 57% (FBR), although polyol production by A. oryzae was observed. SSF improved the nutritional profile of FBA and FBR, with a notable increase in the concentration of essential amino acids observed, and a reduction in most antinutrients, with the exception of trypsin inhibitors. SSF resulted in the formation of aggregates, which increased the particle size and reduced protein solubility. Emulsions prepared with the fermented ingredients separated faster, and the foaming capacity of both FBA and FBR was decreased, but an increase in water-holding capacity was observed. SSF resulted in the production of predominantly savoury-associated aroma compounds, with compounds characteristic of metallic and mouldy aromas reduced. These results indicate the potential of SSF to transform FB with enhanced nutritional value and improved sensory and functional properties. Full article

Ecosystems that experience elevated CO₂ (eCO₂) are crucial interfaces where intricate interactions between plants and microbes occur. This study addressed the impact of eCO₂ and a N supply on faba bean (Vicia faba L.) growth and the soil microbial community in auto-controlled growth chambers. In doing so, two ambient CO₂ concentrations (aCO₂, daytime/nighttime = 410/460 ppm; eCO₂, 550/610 ppm) and two N supplement levels (without a N supply—N0—and 100 mg N as urea per kg of soil—N100) were applied. The results indicated that eCO₂ mitigated the inhibitory effects of a N deficiency on legume photosynthesis and affected the CO₂ assimilation efficiency, in addition to causing reduced nodulation. While the N addition counteracted the reductions in the N concentrations across the faba beans’ aboveground and belowground plant tissues under eCO₂, the CO₂ concentrations did not significantly alter the soil NH₄⁺-N or NO₃⁻-N responses to a N supply. Notably, under both aCO₂ and eCO₂, a N supply significantly increased the relative abundance of Nitrososphaeraceae and Nitrosomonadaceae, while eCO₂ specifically reduced the Rhizobiaceae abundance with no significant changes under aCO₂. A redundancy analysis (RDA) highlighted that the soil pH (p < 0.01) had the most important influence on the soil microbial community. Co-occurrence networks indicated that the eCO₂ conditions mitigated the impact of a N supply on the reduced structural complexity of the soil microbial communities. These findings suggest that a combination of eCO₂ and a N supply to crops can provide potential benefits for managing future climate change impacts on crop production. Full article

Proper crop rotation determines soil fecundity, which is pertinent for successor crops. With this problem in mind, a study was performed to evaluate the interference of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L. subsp. aestivum), winter wheat (T. aestivum L. subsp. aestivum), maize (Zea mays L.), and winter rape (Brassica napus L.) as forecrops on the increase in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and the biochemical and physicochemical properties of the soil. Tests with faba bean were performed in pots in the vegetation hall. The pots were filled with soil from under the abovementioned four plant species, and faba bean was grown. Soil unsown with faba bean was also tested to measure the rhizosphere effect. At the beginning of the experiment, and after its completion, enzymatic and physicochemical analyses of the soil were performed. On the 120th day of the study, faba bean was harvested and biometry was performed. The forecrop substantially influenced the biometric features of the faba bean and the biochemical activity of the soil. Faba beans grown in soil under spring wheat and winter wheat had the highest seed yield, while those grown in soil under the winter rape had the lowest yield. The geometric mean of the enzyme activity index was only significantly positively correlated with the number of faba bean seeds and the soil pH, as well as with the seed dry matter yield and the faba bean plant height. Faba bean cultivation increased the soil biochemical activity. The values of the biochemical and physicochemical parameters of the unsown soil were lower compared to the soil sown with faba bean. The conducted research can help to estimate the changes occurring in arable soils and maintain their stability thanks to the use of appropriate bioindicators, which are the soil enzymes. Moreover, the use of a diversified crop rotation in soil cultivation can provide a lot of information about its function, which can ultimately be used for planning the plant rotation, leading to the improvement of the soil structure and fertility, as well as its protection. 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

Organic amendment and green manuring are two agricultural practices highly recommended to improve sustainability in agriculture since they show numerous beneficial effects on both soils and crops. The main aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of both, specifically organic fraction municipal solid waste (OFMSW) compost and horse bean (Vicia faba L., cv minor) green manure, combined separately or together with a mineral fertilization using synthetic products and in comparison with a mineral fertilization alone (control), on a top-quality tobacco crop (dark fire-cured Kentucky) grown in the cultivation district of Central Italy (High Tiber Valley, Tuscany region) in 2020 and 2021. The following parameters were measured: (i) leaf emergence rate (LER, leaves day⁻¹); (ii) crop growth rate (CGR, kg dry biomass ha⁻¹ day⁻¹); (iii) root weight density (RWD, mg cm⁻³); (iv) yield of cured product (CLY, Mg ha⁻¹). Analytical determinations were carried out on soil, sampled at the 0–0.3 m depth (organic matter, %; total N, %; NO₃-N, mg kg⁻¹; C/N; P and K, mg kg⁻¹), and on plant biomass (total N, %; NO₃-N, kg ha⁻¹). Soil water retention measures were also made. Water productivity (WP, kg cured product m⁻³ gross crop evapotranspiration, ET_c gross), irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE, kg cured product m⁻³ seasonal irrigation volume) and N agronomic efficiency (NAE, kg cured product kg⁻¹ mineral N applied by synthetic fertilizers) were calculated. Both the applications of OFMSW compost and horse bean green manure increased soil content of organic matter and main nutrients (N, P and K), as well as C/N, when compared with control conditions. There was an increase in soil water content in C conditions over the entire soil matric potential interval (0.04 to 1.2 MPa) with a maximum value at 1.2 MPa in both years. Both practices appeared promising for tobacco cultivation and could help to better address the nitrogen needs of the crop during the season and reduce potential water pollution due to nitrates. Considering the amount of synthetic nitrogen fertilizer saved by using both organic soil amendment and green manuring, there should be fewer potential carbon emissions due to the production, transportation and field application of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. Full article

Legumes, one of the first crops of humanity, inherently constitute a staple nutritional source for mankind, attracting significant research attention that has been afforded to the development of numerous cultivars. The study herein concerns the exploitation of the nutritional and bio-functional content of beans harvested from eleven Greek cultivars belonging to five different species, namely Cicer arietinum L., Pisum sativum L., Vicia faba L., Lens culinaris L., and Phaseolus vulgaris L. The final goal is to define their varietal identity and correlate their phytochemical content with their potential utilization as functional foods and/or feed of high nutritional value. In this respect, their extracts were screened against the presence of 27 fatty acids and 19 phenolic compounds, revealing the presence of 22 and 15 molecules, respectively. Specifically, numerous fatty acids were detected in significant amounts in all but C. arietinum extract, while significant polyphenolic content was confirmed only in P. vulgaris. Among individual compounds, linoleic acid was the major fatty acid detected in amounts averaging more than 150 mg/g, followed by oleic acid, which was present as a major compound in all extracts. Among the nine polyphenols detected in P. vulgaris, the molecules of genistein (3.88 mg/g) and coumestrol (0.82 mg/g) were the most abundant. Their antioxidant properties were evaluated through DPPH and FRAP assays, which were highlighted as most potent in both tests of the V. faba extract, while C. arietinum was determined as totally inactive, indicating a potential correlation between the phenolic content of the plant species and antioxidant activity. These results are indicative of the significant advances achieved for the cultivars investigated and reveal their important role as nutritional crops for human and animal consumption. Full article

Measuring canopy height is important for phenotyping as it has been identified as the most relevant parameter for the fast determination of plant mass and carbon stock, as well as crop responses and their spatial variability. In this work, we develop a low-cost tool for measuring plant height proximally based on an ultrasound sensor for flexible use in static or on-the-go mode. The tool was lab-tested and field-tested on crop systems of different geometry and spacings: in a static setting on faba bean (Vicia faba L.) and in an on-the-go setting on chia (Salvia hispanica L.), alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), and wheat (Triticum durum Desf.). Cross-correlation (CC) or a dynamic time-warping algorithm (DTW) was used to analyze and correct shifts between manual and sensor data in chia. Sensor data were able to reproduce with minor shifts in canopy profile and plant status indicators in the field when plant heights varied gradually in narrow-spaced chia (R² = 0.98), faba bean (R² = 0.96), and wheat (R² = up to 0.99). Abrupt height changes resulted in systematic errors in height estimation, and short-scale variations were not well reproduced (e.g., R² in widely spaced chia was 0.57 to 0.66 after shifting based on CC or DTW, respectively)). In alfalfa, ultrasound data were a better predictor than NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) for Leaf Area Index and biomass (R² from 0.81 to 0.84). Maps of ultrasound-determined height showed that clusters were useful for spatial management. The good performance of the tool both in a static setting and in the on-the-go setting provides flexibility for the determination of plant height and spatial variation of plant responses in different conditions from natural to managed systems. Full article

Intercropping legumes with cereals can lead to increased overall yield and optimize the utilization of resources such as water and nutrients, thus enhancing agricultural efficiency. Legumes possess the unique ability to acquire nitrogen (N) through both N₂ fixation and from the available N in the soil. However, soil N can diminish the N₂ fixation capacity of legumes. It is postulated that in intercropping, legumes uptake N mainly through N₂ fixation, leaving more soil N available for cereals. The latter, in turn, has larger root systems, allowing it to explore greater soil volume and absorb more N, mitigating its adverse effects on N₂ fixation in legumes. The goal of this study was to evaluate how the supply of N affects the intercropping of faba beans (Vicia faba L.) and peas (Pisum sativum L.) with wheat under varying plant densities and N levels. We measured photosynthetic traits, biomass production, the proportion of N derived from air (%Ndfa) in the shoot of the legumes, the N transferred to the wheat, and the land equivalent ratio (LER). The results revealed a positive correlation between soil N levels and the CO₂ assimilation rate (An), chlorophyll content, and N balance index (NBI) in wheat. However, no significant effect was observed in legumes as soil N levels increased. Transpiration (E) increased in wheat intercropped with legumes, while stomatal conductance (g_s) increased with N addition in all crops. Water use efficiency (WUE) decreased in faba beans intercropped with wheat as N increased, but it showed no significant change in wheat or peas. The shoot dry matter of wheat increased with the addition of N; however, the two legume species showed no significant changes. N addition reduced the %Ndfa of both legume species, especially in monoculture, with peas being more sensitive than faba beans. The intercropping of wheat alleviated N₂ fixation inhibition, especially at high wheat density and increased N transfer to wheat, particularly with peas. The LER was higher in the intercropping treatments, especially under limited N conditions. It is concluded that in the intercropping of wheat with legumes, the N₂ fixation inhibition caused by soil N is effectively reduced, as well as there being a significant N transfer from the legume to the wheat, with both process contributing to increase LER. Full article