Search Results (1,556)

Glycyrrhiza pallidiflora Maxim., a perennial legume with high biomass yield and good nutritional value, has potential as a forage resource. This study examined how mixing G. pallidiflora (C) with Leymus chinensis (Y) at varying ratios (C10Y0, C9Y1, C8Y2, C7Y3, C6Y4) affects silage fermentation, chemical composition, and microbial community structure. All treatments were inoculated with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (1 × 10⁶ CFU/g fresh weight) and ensiled for 120 days. The results indicated that mixed silages markedly improved overall fermentation quality compared to the sole C silage (C10Y0). These mixed silages exhibited superior lactic acid (LA) concentrations, lower pH. Bacterial community profiling revealed that the addition of Y shifted the microbiota from a diverse community to one dominated by Lactobacillus. Although the C6Y4 and C7Y3 groups exhibited lower pH, they showed significantly elevated NH₃-N contents, while their crude protein contents and the relative abundances of Lactobacillus were both lower than those of the C9Y1 and C8Y2 groups. Considering the core requirements of comprehensive quality, the mixing ratios of 9:1 (C9Y1) and 8:2 (C8Y2) demonstrated the optimal effects: at these ratios, the silage maintained a CP content of 12.84–14.48% DM, with NDF and ADF contents stabilized at 47.55–51.09% DM and 33.67–34.14% DM, respectively, and DM content of 28.85–31.32%; in terms of fermentation quality, the pH value decreased from 4.85 in the sole C silage (C10Y0) to 4.04–4.11, the LA content increased from 13.91 g/kg DM to 28.86–30.87 g/kg DM, the LA/AA ratio rose from 1.31 to 3.37–3.97, and the NH₃-N content was reduced by 0.56–0.96% TN compared to the C10Y0 (decreasing to 4.16–4.45% TN), effectively inhibiting protein degradation; at the microbial level, the LAB count reached 9.03–9.05 log₁₀ CFU/g FM, an increase of 2.12–2.14 compared to the C10Y0, with a relative abundance exceeding 80%, successfully suppressing the proliferation of undesirable bacteria such as Raoultella and Weissella and ensuring fermentation stability. This provides technical support for utilizing this plant as a viable alternative forage resource. Full article

Tanniferous forages, leaves and pods from legume trees can be used as feed additives to reduce enteric CH₄ in tropical regions of the world where smallholder farmers cannot afford to purchase commercial anti-methanogenic feed additives. The present work aimed to evaluate the impact of small doses of Gliricidia sepium (G. sepium) alone or in combination with coffee pulp (COP) on enteric CH₄ production in cattle. A 4 × 4 Latin square experimental design was used, where four Holstein x Charolais heifers of 390 ± 50 kg body weight were used. Four treatments were evaluated, with G. sepium (GSep) and COP used as additives. The control treatment (CON) had no additives and was offered ad libitum, the COP treatment contained 1.0 kg DM d⁻¹ of COP, the treatment with G. sepium contained 0.342 kg DM d⁻¹ of this plant, and the treatment with both plants (COP + GSep) had 0.505 and 0.171 kg DM d⁻¹, respectively. The lowest CH₄ production was observed for the COP + GSep treatment, followed by GSep, with 17% and 14.2% less CH₄, respectively, compared to the CON treatment (p < 0.05). We concluded that supplementation with G. sepium, alone or in combination with COP, can be used as part of a strategy to mitigate enteric CH₄ production in tropical cattle production systems. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time two natural additives have been used together to reduce enteric methane in cattle fed a low-quality forage. Full article

Stylosanthes scabra, a legume native to the Brazilian semiarid region, exhibits remarkable drought tolerance and represents a valuable model for studying molecular adaptation in legumes. Transcription factors of the AP2/ERF superfamily play central roles in plant development and stress response. This study aimed to identify and characterize AP2/ERF genes in Stylosanthes scabra and to analyze their transcriptional response to root dehydration. Candidate genes were identified through a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) search using the AP2 domain profile (PF00847), followed by validation of conserved domains, physicochemical characterization, prediction of subcellular localization, phylogenetic and structural analyses, and functional annotation. A total of 295 AP2/ERF proteins were identified and designated as SscAP2/ERF, most of which were predicted to be localized in the nucleus. These proteins exhibited a wide range of molecular weights and isoelectric points, reflecting structural diversity, and were classified into four subfamilies: AP2, ERF, DREB, and RAV. Functional annotation revealed predominant roles in DNA binding and transcriptional regulation, while promoter analysis identified numerous stress-related cis-elements. A total of 32 transcripts were differentially expressed under 24 h of water deficit, and four selected genes had their expression patterns validated by qPCR. These findings provide new insights into the AP2/ERF gene subfamily in Stylosanthes scabra and lay the groundwork for future biotechnological approaches to enhance stress tolerance in legumes. Full article

Mitigation of abiotic stress of crops is currently one of the primary issues for modern agriculture to secure food supply. On that point, it is acknowledged that climate change is leading to an increase in temperature and solar radiation, while also contributing to prolonged drought events. In contrast, saline soil and heavy metal pollution have been globally problematic, affecting a large part of crops. In this review, we have provided an overview of the eco-physiological and molecular aspects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) as a novel technology for alleviating abiotic stress in plants. It is reported that the presence of ZnO-NPs has positive benefits in physiological processes, such as photosynthetic efficiency, osmotic regulation, ionic homeostasis, and the activation of antioxidant defense systems through gene modifications and the regulation of genes that are regulated under stress conditions. These are positive results for yields, nutrition, and resistance levels in cereals, legumes, and horticultural crops. Furthermore, essential details are reported, suggesting that the addition of ZnO-NPs to crops may be involved in regulating plant metabolism. Nonetheless, we recognize that this technology poses significant challenges for validation on a large scale, particularly in uncontrolled environments. Full article

Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.), an important legume in semiarid environments, often exhibits low yield, requiring strategies to enhance symbiotic nitrogen fixation and nutrient-use efficiency. This study evaluated the effects of single and combined inoculation with Bradyrhizobium elkanii (strain BR 2003) and Azospirillum brasilense (strain Ab-V5) on nitrogen metabolism, nutrient uptake, plant growth, and residual soil fertility in P. lunatus. Four varieties were subjected to four treatments: control (nitrogen fertilization), single inoculation with B. elkanii or A. brasilense, and co-inoculation. All inoculation strategies significantly increased root nodulation, nitrogen assimilation, and the accumulation of key macronutrients. Root nodulation increased from 1 to 12 nodules per plant in the control treatments to up to 277 nodules per plant under inoculation, while shoot nitrogen content increased by up to 91% in ‘Raio de Sol’ and 87% in ‘Cearense’. Increases in P and K were also observed, including a 48% increase in shoot P in ‘Manteiga’ and up to a 100% increase in shoot K in ‘Raio de Sol’, whereas root K increased by up to 90% under co-inoculation. The ‘Raio de Sol’ and ‘Manteiga’ varieties exhibited the most pronounced increases in growth and biomass. Additionally, inoculation improved post-cultivation soil indicators, including pH and available P and K in specific genotype-microbe combinations, and reduced electrical conductivity. These results demonstrate the strong contribution of microbial inoculation to nitrogen assimilation and nutrient acquisition, supporting its use as a promising alternative to conventional nitrogen fertilization in lima bean cultivation. Full article

Interest in plant-based milk is rapidly growing worldwide. However, several challenges remain, such as low consumer acceptance, difficulty in matching cow milk’s nutritional profile, and poor stability. Since various groups benefit from consuming plant-based options, addressing these challenges is crucial. This study aimed to analyze plant sources used in plant-based milk, evaluating their chemical, technological, and sensory characteristics, as well as processing methods and emerging trends. A literature search was conducted for studies published in English over the last ten years in Embase, Scopus, Lilacs, Fsta, Pubmed, and Google Scholar, selecting those best fitting the inclusion criteria. Legumes, cereals, pseudo-cereals, nuts, fruits, and seeds have been used as plant matrices, each contributing distinct attributes to the plant-based milk. Thus, using plant proteins —i.e., mixing different plant-based foods into a single formulation has proven effective in overcoming certain limitations. Additionally, germination and fermentation have improved the stability, nutritional quality, and sensory properties of plant-based milk, reinforcing their potential for future advancements in this field. Full article

Integrated crop grazing systems can improve farm profitability due to enterprise complementarity. Utilizing the supply of N from legumes, livestock manure, and plant residues will result in improving grain yield and quality. A long-term 12-year integrated systems study evaluated continuous spring wheat (HRSW-CTRL) with spring wheat (HRSW-ROT) grown in a five-crop rotation: (1) spring wheat, (2) seven-species cover crop, (3) forage corn, (4) field pea/forage barley mix, and (5) sunflower. Yearling beef cattle steers grazed the field pea/forage barley mix, unharvested corn, and a seven-species cover crop. Spring wheat was marketed as a cash crop. Contrary to expectations, HRSW-ROT did not significantly increase grain yield or improve quality over HRSW-CTRL. Improved soil fertility was observed in the HRSW-ROT plots throughout the study relative to SOM, N, P, and K. However, the rotation with grazing management significantly reduced input costs but resulted in negligible gross and net returns over the 12-year period. Year-to-year weather variability was the cause of the differences between the two production management methods. Full article

Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius; Fabaceae) is an invasive nitrogen-fixing shrub widespread in New Zealand, where it impacts forestry, pasturelands, and native ecosystems. Although several biological control agents have been released, Scotch broom continues to expand in regions such as the North Island’s Central Plateau. Scotch broom affects the germination and growth of other plants and modifies arthropod communities (including pollinators, herbivores, and predators) within its invaded range. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play a key role in mediating plant–plant and plant–arthropod interactions, potentially contributing to this invasive plant’s ecological success. However, Scotch broom’s VOC emissions in its invaded ranges remain poorly understood. We examined VOC emissions from flowering and non-flowering Scotch broom plants in the Central Plateau and assessed links with biotic and abiotic factors. Our aims were to (1) characterise differences in VOCs between phenological stages; (2) explore shifts in arthropod community composition; and (3) evaluate correlations between VOC emissions, arthropod groups and environmental variables. Flowering plants had higher diversity and abundance of VOCs, with blends dominated by monoterpenes, aromatics, and fatty acid esters, whereas non-flowering plants were characterised by green leaf volatiles (GLVs). Flowering stages supported Hemiptera and Thysanoptera (herbivores), which were positively correlated with fatty acid esters. In contrast, GLVs correlated with Araneae (predators) abundance. Temperature was the strongest predictor of VOC emission patterns, showing significant correlation with most compound classes. These results advance understanding of Scotch broom invasion ecology and highlight the need to further explore individual compounds potentially influencing arthropod composition to inform both native arthropods conservation and future biocontrol strategies. Full article

Background: Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plant growth and development, playing a multifaceted and vital role in plants. Phosphate Transporter 1 (PHO1) is a class of important functional genes involved in plant phosphorus uptake and transport. We identify PHOSPHATE 1 (PHO1) members in mung beans and investigate their response to low phosphorus stress, thereby aiding in the development of stress-tolerant, high-yielding mung bean varieties. Methods: A bioinformatic analysis was performed, which led to the identification of the PHO1 homologue sequence in mung beans. This analysis also elucidated its gene and protein structural characteristics alongside its phylogenetic relationships. qRT-PCR was used to analyze the expression patterns of genes in roots and leaves in response to conditions of prolonged low-phosphorus and phosphorus-deprivation stress. Results: Total PHO1 homologues were identified in mung beans, which can be grouped into 3 groups (Group I-III). Phylogenetic analysis indicates that VrPHO1s shares closer evolutionary relationships with PHO1 in legumes, and exhibits 6 collinear gene pairs with Glycine max (soybean), all with Ka/Ks ratios below 1, suggesting they have undergone purifying selection. The gene promoter region contains multiple cis-acting elements capable of participating in plant growth and development, stress responses, and plant hormone responses. Expression analysis revealed that more VrPHO1 genes responded to phosphorus stress in roots than in leaves; of these, the expression of VrPHO1; H2, VrPHO1; H3, and VrPHO1; H5 genes was significantly induced by continuous phosphorus-deficient stress. Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive genome-wide identification of the PHO1 family in mung bean and provides valuable candidate gene resources for the future study of their biological functions and regulatory roles in phosphate-deficient stress. Full article

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

Application of CFA-treated biosolids (NVS) offers multiple benefits to agricultural soils, including fertilizer replacement, soil rehabilitation, and disinfection. It also poses a heavy metal(loid)s threat to the agro-environment. NVS (and CFA to some extent) was tested in lysimeter and field trials, using soils differing in physicochemical properties and a large selection of crops. Consistently, As, Pb, and Cd concentrations in leachate were at or below detection limit, and these and other heavy metal(loid)s (and P) were within the permitted range in plant tissue. Foliage Mo (occasionally also Se, P) concentrations often increased significantly, especially in crops (legumes, potatoes) grown on marginal soils, which also displayed significantly higher yields. CFA and NVS reduced lettuce and legumes foliage Mn (and occasionally Zn) concentrations, which remained, however, adequate. NVS (214 and 642 mT ha⁻¹), digested sewage sludge (ADS) and its compost (24 and 72 mT ha⁻¹), temporarily increased the DTPA-extractability of some elements (NVS: B, Cr; ADS: Cu, Ni, Zn; Compost: Zn) 10–30-fold. The extractabilities of Fe and P increased by up to six times. These increases vanished soon after additive application, supporting the hypothesis of ‘self-attenuation’ by applied biosolids. Our data indicate that long-term application of NVS (and CFA) to calcareous soils poses no heavy metal(loid)s-related threat to the agro-environment. Full article

Protein phosphatase 2Cs (PP2Cs) constitute a widespread family of signaling regulators in plants and play central roles in abscisic acid (ABA)-mediated stress signaling; however, the PP2C gene family has not yet been systematically identified and characterized in pea (Pisum sativum), a salt-sensitive legume crop. In this study, we identified 89 PsPP2C genes based on domain features and sequence homology. These genes are unevenly distributed across seven chromosomes and classified into ten subfamilies, providing a comparative framework for evaluating structural and regulatory diversification within the PsPP2C family. The encoded proteins vary substantially in length, physicochemical properties, and predicted subcellular localization, while most members contain the conserved PP2Cc catalytic domain. Intra- and interspecies homology analyses identified 19 duplicated gene pairs in pea and numerous orthologous relationships with several model plants; all reliable gene pairs exhibited Ka/Ks < 1, indicating pervasive purifying selection. PsPP2C genes also showed broad variation in exon number and intron phase, and their promoter regions contained diverse light-, hormone-, and stress-related cis-elements with heterogeneous positional patterns. Expression profiling across 11 tissues revealed pronounced tissue-specific differences, with generally higher transcript abundance in roots and seeds than in other tissues. Under salt treatment, approximately 20% of PsPP2C genes displayed concentration- or time-dependent transcriptional changes. Among them, PsPP2C67 and PsPP2C82—both belonging to the clade A PP2C subfamily—exhibited the most pronounced induction under high salinity and at early stress stages. Functional annotation indicated that these two genes are involved in ABA-related processes, including regulation of abscisic acid-activated signaling pathway, plant hormone signal transduction, and MAPK signaling pathway-plant. Collectively, this study provides a systematic characterization of the PsPP2C gene family, including its structural features, evolutionary patterns, and transcriptional responses to salt stress, thereby establishing a foundation for future functional investigations. Full article

Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC. (Fabaceae) is used in Cuba in soils dedicated to coffee cultivation, contributing to soil nutrition and crop productivity. However, no rhizobial isolates are currently available for inoculating this legume in Chromic Eutric Cambisol soils. The aim of this study was to select rhizobial strains that promote the growth of C. ensiformis in Chromic Eutric Cambisol soils. Nodules were collected from C. ensiformis plants, surface-sterilized, and macerated to isolate potential rhizobia. The isolates were characterized based on cultural, morphological, and biochemical traits, and their symbiotic effectiveness was evaluated through in vitro inoculation assays in Macroptilium atropurpureum (siratro) plants. Inoculation trials were conducted under semi-controlled conditions and in the field between coffee rows. The number and dry weight of effective nodules, number of trifoliate leaves, and shoot dry biomass were measured. Nine bacterial isolates were obtained, grouped into four morphotypes, and assigned as possible members of the families Phyllobacteriaceae, Methylobacteriaceae, or Nitrobacteraceae. Under semi-controlled conditions, inoculation with three isolates increased the number of nodules (by 56–80%), the number of trifoliate leaves (by 20–45%), and shoot biomass (by 10–40%) compared to the non-inoculated treatment. Additionally, one of the isolates increased nodule dry weight by 27%. In the field between coffee row, increases were also observed in the number of trifoliate leaves (by 18–26%) and shoot biomass (by 15–24%). This study supports the selection of efficient rhizobia adapted to the edaphoclimatic conditions of Cuban coffee agroecosystems. Full article

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik. subsp. culinaris) is a Mediterranean legume crop of high value due to nutritional quality and adaptability; however, its cultivation is increasingly threatened due to climate uncertainty and reduction in genetic diversity in modern cultivars. The present research study evaluated 31 Greek lentil accessions (twenty-two landraces and nine commercial cultivars of both small and large seed types) in a semi-arid environment of Central Greece, over two cropping seasons, focusing on phenological, morphological, yield, and quality traits. The great diversity observed at the morpho-phenological and qualitative levels implies the high genotypic diversity of these genetic resources. Small-seeded landraces performed better in seed and biological yield, harvest index, and protein content, having greater phenological stability and tolerance to the Mediterranean environments. In particular, the highest seed yield was observed in LAX small-seeded landrace (1930 kg ha⁻¹), followed by TSO (1559 kg ha⁻¹), DIG (1449 kg ha⁻¹), and EGL (1437 kg ha⁻¹) small-seeded landraces. As for the regression analysis, seed yield was positively correlated with days to flowering (TF: r = 0.076, p < 0.01), plant height (PH: r = 0.143, p < 0.05), number of pods per plant (NPP: r = 0.941, p < 0.001), number of seeds per pod (NPP: r = 0.432, p < 0.001), number of branches (NPB: r = 0.234, p < 0.01), biological yield (BY: r = 0.683, p < 0.001), and harvest index (HI: r = 0.650, p < 0.001). Principal component analysis (PCA) distinguished small-seeded landraces associated with adaptive and yield traits from large-seeded cultivars associated with seed size. Greek lentil landraces, especially the small-seeded genotypes (e.g., LAX and DIG), have great potential for use in the development of climate-tolerant and high-yielding lentil varieties adapted for sustainable Mediterranean production. Breeding programs can target the crossing of landraces with large-seeded cultivars (e.g., IKAm and THEm) to develop varieties that combine stress tolerance, adaptation, and high productivity with adaptation to different seed sizes. Subsequent studies on drought tolerance and heat resistance are still important for continued improvement in lentil productivity in a changing climate. Full article

Background: The Songnen Plain in China contains soda saline–alkaline soil, wherein salinity and alkalinity severely constrain crop productivity. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a forage legume that has adapted to moderate saline–alkaline conditions, but how its rhizosphere microbial community facilitated this adaptation remains unclear. Methods: Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we compared alfalfa rhizosphere bacteria in saline–alkaline soil (AS) and control soil. Bacteria isolated from AS were screened for plant growth-promoting traits, with the most effective strains validated in pot experiments involving 50 mM NaHCO₃. Results: Compared with the control soil bacterial community, the AS bacterial community was significantly enriched with Methylomirabilota and unclassified bacteria (phylum level), with the genus RB41 identified as the most discriminative biomarker. Gene functions predicted using PICRUSt2 reflected the responsiveness of this community to environmental stressors. Inoculations with Pseudomonas laurentiana strain M73 and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strain M81, which were isolated from AS, significantly improved alfalfa growth and health under NaHCO₃ stress. Conclusions: Saline–alkaline conditions in the Songnen Plain reshape the alfalfa rhizosphere bacterial community, enriching for specific taxa and potentially enhancing microbial functions associated with stress resistance. Strains M73 and M81 can effectively promote stress tolerance, making them useful microbial resources for improving soil conditions. Full article