Agricultural and Biological Sciences Plant Science

Agricultural pest management studies

Description

This cluster of papers focuses on the genetics, breeding, and utilization of cowpea as a sustainable and climate-resilient legume crop. It covers topics such as drought tolerance, nutritional quality, genetic diversity, marker development, and agricultural sustainability.

Keywords

Cowpea; Genetics; Breeding; Drought Tolerance; Nutritional Quality; Genetic Diversity; Marker Development; Agricultural Sustainability; Legume Crop; Climate Resilience

It was in the 1960s that the scientific community first became aware of the threat that disruption of natural environments posed to the germplasm of numerous cultivated species. It began … It was in the 1960s that the scientific community first became aware of the threat that disruption of natural environments posed to the germplasm of numerous cultivated species. It began working to collect that germplasm, and a multitude of collections were set up worldwide. These collections are now so large that they are proving difficult to maintain and characterize, and their management has become a crucial issue. Germplasm conservation, evaluation, and use all need to be rethought. In response to those concerns, Frankel and Brown introduced the idea of core collections in the 1980s: a sample of accessions from a larger collection is taken to provide as accurate a picture as possible of the existing range of diversity. However, what criteria and tools should be used to put together the sample? Agronomic criteria are primordial for breeders but are sometimes difficult to evaluate, and their genetic determinism is often complex. Molecular genetic markers, which are of no direct use, reveal the structure of the existing diversity, which can be used as the basis for setting up a core collection. Little is known about the relationships between these two levels of variability: Are the different types of molecular markers equivalent? Does a strong molecular structure systematically mean a strong structure based on agronomic criteria as well? Do the two types of structure necessarily tally? Statistical tools, which can be used to analyse the resemblances between individuals or populations, are essential in identifying the structure of diversity, if indeed it is structured. But which method is most appropriate for each type of marker? How reliable is the picture it gives of diversity and what biological significance can it be assumed to have? This work goes some way towards answering those questions on the basis of a study of the genetic diversity of eleven tropical plants. Three methodological chapters-on biochemical and molecular markers, data analysis, and setting up core collections-complement the study. (Resume d'auteur)
Preface List of Contributors Acknowledgements Seed to smoke Breeding and genetics Biotechnology: uses and applications in tobacco improvement Agronomy and physiology Production practices Major tobacco diseases Tobacco insect pests Lead … Preface List of Contributors Acknowledgements Seed to smoke Breeding and genetics Biotechnology: uses and applications in tobacco improvement Agronomy and physiology Production practices Major tobacco diseases Tobacco insect pests Lead chemistry Physical properties of leaf tobacco Marketing processing and storage Cigarette manufacture Smoke chemistry Cigars and cigarillos Smokeless tobacco Index.
Due to the prohibitive cost of synthetic pesticides and the problems of environmental pollution caused by continuous use of these chemicals, there is a renewed interest in the use of … Due to the prohibitive cost of synthetic pesticides and the problems of environmental pollution caused by continuous use of these chemicals, there is a renewed interest in the use of botanicals for crop protection. Agricultural entomologists, nematologists, and pathologists the world over are now actively engaged in research into the use of plants to fight agricultural pests and diseases, and to reduce the losses caused by them. Botanical Pesticides in Agriculture reviews the research on botanical pesticides used to combat losses due to pests of agricultural importance, with special attention focused on the use of higher plants. This book will serve as the baseline reference work for future research, and many of the botanicals discussed, such as neem, bael, begonia, pyrethrum, tobacco, karanj, and mahuwa, may become integral parts of pest control programs currently being developed. It is believed that botanical pesticides will minimize the undesirable side effects of synthetic pesticides and help preserve the environment for future generations.
Journal Article The Influence of Temperature on Seed Germination Rate in Grain Legumes: I. A COMPARISON OF CHICKPEA, LENTIL, SOYABEAN AND COWPEA AT CONSTANT TEMPERATURES Get access S. COVELL, S. … Journal Article The Influence of Temperature on Seed Germination Rate in Grain Legumes: I. A COMPARISON OF CHICKPEA, LENTIL, SOYABEAN AND COWPEA AT CONSTANT TEMPERATURES Get access S. COVELL, S. COVELL Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, and Plant Environment Laboratory, University of ReadingEarley Gate, P.O. Box 236, Reading RG6 2AT, U.K. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar R. H. ELLIS, R. H. ELLIS Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, and Plant Environment Laboratory, University of ReadingEarley Gate, P.O. Box 236, Reading RG6 2AT, U.K. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar E. H. ROBERTS, E. H. ROBERTS Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, and Plant Environment Laboratory, University of ReadingEarley Gate, P.O. Box 236, Reading RG6 2AT, U.K. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar R. J. SUMMERFIELD R. J. SUMMERFIELD Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, and Plant Environment Laboratory, University of ReadingEarley Gate, P.O. Box 236, Reading RG6 2AT, U.K. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Journal of Experimental Botany, Volume 37, Issue 5, May 1986, Pages 705–715, https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/37.5.705 Published: 01 May 1986 Article history Received: 28 November 1985 Published: 01 May 1986
Part 1 Foraging behaviour, J.J.M. van Alphen and M.A. Jervis: behaviour of insect parasitoids and predators methodology the treatment of parasitoids prior to their use in experiments recording and statistical … Part 1 Foraging behaviour, J.J.M. van Alphen and M.A. Jervis: behaviour of insect parasitoids and predators methodology the treatment of parasitoids prior to their use in experiments recording and statistical analysis of behavioural data host/prey finding and selection behaviour deciding what clutch size to lay host-feeding behaviour host discrimination sex allocation functional responses switching behaviour patch time allocation patch defence behaviour distribution of parasitoids over a host population measuring encounter rates life history characteristics and searching behaviour foraging behaviour and taxonomy parasitoid behaviour and community ecology. Part 2 The life cycle, M.A. Jervis and M.J.W. Copeland: anatomical studies female reproductive system male reproductive system sex ratio locating eggs in hosts fecundity adult longevity growth and development of immatures survival of immatures intrinsic rate of natural increase. Part 3 Mating behaviour, H. van den Assem: making records general methodology equipment used in observing mating behaviour the early stages of mating behaviour stimulus production some quantitative aspects of mating behaviour female receptivity and its consequences aspects of mating sensu stricto mating success comparative studies of mating behaviour. Part 4 Populations and communities, W. Powell and .M.P. Walton: field sampling techniques determining trophic relationships genetic variability in field populations of natural enemies. Part 5 Population dynamics, N.A.C. Kidd and M.A. Jervis: demonstrating and quantifying predation and parasitism the role of natural enemies in insect population dynamics selection criteria in biological control. Part 6 Phytophagy, M.A. Jervis and N.A.C. Kidd: what plant materials do natural enemies feed upon, and from what sources? do natural enemies show specificity in the plant food sources they exploit? interpreting patterns of resource utilization insect preferences and foraging energetics natural enemies as pollinators.
Mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) has been intensively researched; scattered data are available on various properties. Data on physical, chemical, food processing, and nutritional properties were collected for … Mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) has been intensively researched; scattered data are available on various properties. Data on physical, chemical, food processing, and nutritional properties were collected for whole mung bean grains and reviewed to assess the crop's potential as food and to set research priorities. Results show that mung bean is a rich source of protein (14.6-33.0 g/100 g) and iron (5.9-7.6 mg/100 g). Grain color is correlated with compounds like polyphenols and carotenoids, while grain hardness is associated with fiber content. Physical properties like grain dimensions, sphericity, porosity, bulk, and true density are related to moisture content. Anti-nutrients are phytic acid, tannins, hemagglutinins, and polyphenols. Reported nutrient contents vary greatly, the causes of which are not well understood. Grain size and color have been associated with different regions and were used by plant breeders for selection purposes. Analytical methods require more accuracy and precision to distinguish biological variation from analytical variation. Research on nutrient digestibility, food processing properties, and bioavailability is needed. Furthermore, the effects of storage and processing on nutrients and food processing properties are required to enable optimization of processing steps, for better mung bean food quality and process efficiency.
Economically, legumes (Fabaceae) represent the second most important family of crop plants after the grass family, Poaceae. Grain legumes account for 27% of world crop production and provide 33% of … Economically, legumes (Fabaceae) represent the second most important family of crop plants after the grass family, Poaceae. Grain legumes account for 27% of world crop production and provide 33% of the dietary protein consumed by humans, while pasture and forage legumes provide vital part of animal feed. Fabaceae, the third largest family of flowering plants, has traditionally been divided into the following three subfamilies: Caesalpinioideae, Mimosoideae, and Papilionoideae, all together with 800 genera and 20,000 species. The latter subfamily contains most of the major cultivated food and feed crops. Among the grain legumes are some of mankind's earliest crop plants, whose domestication parallelled that of cereals: Soybean in China; faba bean, lentil, chickpea and pea in the Fertile Crescent of the Near East; cowpeas and bambara groundnut in Africa; soybean and mungbeans in East Asia; pigeonpea and the grams in South Asia; and common bean, lima bean, scarlet runner bean, tepary bean and lupin in Central and South America. The importance of legumes is evidenced by their high representation in ex situ germplasm collections, with more than 1,000,000 accessions worldwide. A detailed knowledge of the phylogenetic relationships of the Fabaceae is essential for understanding the origin and diversification of this economically and ecologically important family of angiosperms. This review aims to combine the phylogenetic and genetic diversity approaches to better illustrate the origin, domestication history and preserved germplasm of major legume crops from 13 genera of six tribes and to indicate further potential both for science and agriculture.
With a growing world population and increasingly demanding consumers, the production of sufficient protein from livestock, poultry, and fish represents a serious challenge for the future. Approximately 1,900 insect species … With a growing world population and increasingly demanding consumers, the production of sufficient protein from livestock, poultry, and fish represents a serious challenge for the future. Approximately 1,900 insect species are eaten worldwide, mainly in ...Read More
Poor crop establishment was identified as a major constraint on rainfed crop production by farmers in the tribal villages of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh served by the Krishak Bharati … Poor crop establishment was identified as a major constraint on rainfed crop production by farmers in the tribal villages of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh served by the Krishak Bharati Cooperative (KRIBHCO) Indo-British Rainfed Farming Project (KRIBP). On-farm seed priming with water was chosen as a low cost, low risk intervention appropriate to the farmers' needs. In vitro screening of the effects of priming on the germination of seeds of local and improved varieties of maize, upland rice and chickpea provided ‘safe limits’ – the maximum length of time for which farmers should prime seeds and which, if exceeded, could lead to seed or seedling damage. Recommended safe limits were 24 h for maize and rice and 10 h for chickpea, with only minor varietal differences. These recommendations were then tested in on-station trials in Dahod, Gujarat. Farmer-managed trials were conducted for chickpea in three villages in the rabi (post-monsoon) season in 1995–96; for maize and upland rice in eight villages in the kharif (monsoon) season in 1996; and for maize and chickpea in 15 villages in the 1996--97 rabi season. Farmers modified these recommendations to ‘overnight’ for all three crops. Evaluation of the technology by farmers involved focus group discussions, matrix ranking exercises and two workshops. Direct benefits in all three crops included faster emergence, better stands and a lower incidence of re-sowing, more vigorous plants, better drought tolerance, earlier flowering, earlier harvest and higher grain yield. Indirect benefits reported were earlier sowing of rabi crops because of the shorter duration of the preceding kharif crop, earlier harvesting of rabi crops that allowed earlier migration from the area, with better chance of obtaining off-season work, and increased willingness to use fertilizers because of reduced risk of crop failure. In matrix ranking exercises in four villages in the kharif 1996, 95% of farmers indicated that, even after only one exposure to the technology, they would prime seed in the following season. Similar exercises in four villages in rabi 1996–97 revealed that 100% of collaborating farmers intended to continue seed priming. From 21 villages, 246 farmers attended two workshops to share their experiences of seed priming and resolved to continue with the technology.
Advances in next-generation sequencing and genotyping technologies have enabled generation of large-scale genomic resources such as molecular markers, transcript reads and BAC-end sequences (BESs) in chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut, three … Advances in next-generation sequencing and genotyping technologies have enabled generation of large-scale genomic resources such as molecular markers, transcript reads and BAC-end sequences (BESs) in chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut, three major legume crops of the semi-arid tropics. Comprehensive transcriptome assemblies and genome sequences have either been developed or underway in these crops. Based on these resources, dense genetic maps, QTL maps as well as physical maps for these legume species have also been developed. As a result, these crops have graduated from 'orphan' or 'less-studied' crops to 'genomic resources rich' crops. This article summarizes the above-mentioned advances in genomics and genomics-assisted breeding applications in the form of marker-assisted selection (MAS) for hybrid purity assessment in pigeonpea; marker-assisted backcrossing (MABC) for introgressing QTL region for drought-tolerance related traits, Fusarium wilt (FW) resistance and Ascochyta blight (AB) resistance in chickpea; late leaf spot (LLS), leaf rust and nematode resistance in groundnut. We critically present the case of use of other modern breeding approaches like marker-assisted recurrent selection (MARS) and genomic selection (GS) to utilize the full potential of genomics-assisted breeding for developing superior cultivars with enhanced tolerance to various environmental stresses. In addition, this article recommends the use of advanced-backcross (AB-backcross) breeding and development of specialized populations such as multi-parents advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) for creating new variations that will help in developing superior lines with broadened genetic base. In summary, we propose the use of integrated genomics and breeding approach in these legume crops to enhance crop productivity in marginal environments ensuring food security in developing countries.
Agricultural insect pests of the tropics and their control , Agricultural insect pests of the tropics and their control , مرکز فناوری اطلاعات و اطلاع رسانی کشاورزی Agricultural insect pests of the tropics and their control , Agricultural insect pests of the tropics and their control , مرکز فناوری اطلاعات و اطلاع رسانی کشاورزی
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The seeds and sprouts of mung bean (Vigna radiata), a common food, contain abundant nutrients with biological activities. This review provides insight into the nutritional value of mung beans and … The seeds and sprouts of mung bean (Vigna radiata), a common food, contain abundant nutrients with biological activities. This review provides insight into the nutritional value of mung beans and its sprouts, discussing chemical constituents that have been isolated in the past few decades, such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, organic acids, amino acids, carbohydrates, and lipids. Moreover, we also summarize dynamic changes in metabolites during the sprouting process and related biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, lipid metabolism accommodation, antihypertensive, and antitumor effects, etc., with the goal of providing scientific evidence for better application of this commonly used food as a medicine.
With a growing world population and increasingly demanding consumers, the production of sufficient protein from livestock, poultry, and fish represents a serious challenge for the future. Approximately 1,900 insect species … With a growing world population and increasingly demanding consumers, the production of sufficient protein from livestock, poultry, and fish represents a serious challenge for the future. Approximately 1,900 insect species are eaten worldwide, mainly in ...Read More
Abstract Legumes have the potential to support global protein production by partially replacing meat and dairy products in the human diet. This will not only help meeting the increasing worldwide … Abstract Legumes have the potential to support global protein production by partially replacing meat and dairy products in the human diet. This will not only help meeting the increasing worldwide demand for proteins, but could contribute towards mitigating the threat imposed to the environment by current agricultural practices in higher‐economy countries (dependence on fossil fuel energy and harmful emissions). Among the legumes, fava bean ( Vicia faba L .) is a valuable crop. It is a rich source of proteins, fiber, and other non‐nutrient compounds considered beneficial for health. Although a popular source of proteins in many parts of the world, especially in the Middle East, Mediterranean area, and South America, it has yet to be fully exploited in markets where meat is the predominant source of proteins in the diet. Here, fava bean cultivation could not only make a valuable contribution towards protein self‐sufficiency, but could potentially play a role in alleviating the rise in chronic diseases. In addition, fava bean enables symbiotic fixation of atmospheric nitrogen and can provide a more environmentally friendly substitution for industrial N‐fertilizers with associated improvements in resource efficiency and production costs. From both a food security and environmental sustainability perspective, encouraging both production and consumption of fava bean is a timely and important target. This review focuses on the potential of fava bean as a functional food ingredient to partially replace meat in the human diet.
restricted geographic distribution (H. punctigera, H. viriplaca) or host range (H. assulta, H. peltigera) than the major pest species. This review is limited to H. armigera, H. zea, H. vires … restricted geographic distribution (H. punctigera, H. viriplaca) or host range (H. assulta, H. peltigera) than the major pest species. This review is limited to H. armigera, H. zea, H. vires cens, and H. punctigera. The other species, though of local significance, do not consistently achieve damaging pop­ ulations and have only been subject to superficial ecological study (10 , 27, 67, 105, 135 , 179, 192). Other minor pest species occur in the African genus Heliocheilus but are not dealt with here (see 105a). As key pests of several agricultural and horticultural crops, the four species I have singled out for review have attracted an enormous volume of research work. Consequently, the literature on their ecology , biology and management is vast. Rather than attempt a comprehensive review of all facets of the biology and ecology of Heliothis spp. in agricultural systems, I concentrate on
Knowledge of population growth potential is crucial for studying population dynamics and for establishing management tactics for pest control. Estimation of population growth can be achieved with fertility life tables … Knowledge of population growth potential is crucial for studying population dynamics and for establishing management tactics for pest control. Estimation of population growth can be achieved with fertility life tables because they synthesize data on reproduction and mortality of a population. The five main parameters associated with a fertility life table are as follows: (1) the net reproductive rate (Ro), (2) the intrinsic rate of increase (rm), 3) the mean generation time (T), (4) the doubling time (Dt), and (5) the finite rate of increase (λ). Jackknife and bootstrap techniques are used to calculate the variance of the rm estimate, which can be extended to the other parameters of life tables. Those methods are computer-intensive, their application requires the development of efficient algorithms, and their implementation is based on a programming language that encompasses quickness and reliability. The objectives of this article are to discuss statistical and computational aspects related to estimation of life table parameters and to present a SAS program that uses jackknife to estimate parameters for fertility life tables. The SAS program presented here allows the calculation of confidence intervals for all estimated parameters, as well as provides one-sided and two-sided t-tests to perform pairwise or multiple comparison between groups, with their respective P values.
With a growing world population and increasingly demanding consumers, the production of sufficient protein from livestock, poultry, and fish represents a serious challenge for the future. Approximately 1,900 insect species … With a growing world population and increasingly demanding consumers, the production of sufficient protein from livestock, poultry, and fish represents a serious challenge for the future. Approximately 1,900 insect species are eaten worldwide, mainly in ...Read More
Abstract Water scarcity is a major constraint limiting grain legume production particularly in the arid and semi‐arid tropics. Different climate models have predicted changes in rainfall distribution and frequent drought … Abstract Water scarcity is a major constraint limiting grain legume production particularly in the arid and semi‐arid tropics. Different climate models have predicted changes in rainfall distribution and frequent drought spells for the future. Although drought impedes the productivity of grain legumes at all growth stages, its occurrence during reproductive and grain development stages (terminal drought) is more critical and usually results in significant loss in grain yield. However, the extent of yield loss depends on the duration and intensity of the stress. A reduction in the rate of net photosynthesis, and poor grain set and grain development are the principal reasons for terminal drought‐induced loss in grain yield. Insight into the impact and resistance mechanism of terminal drought is required for effective crop improvement programmes aiming to improve resistance to terminal drought in grain legumes. In this article, the impact of terminal drought on leaf development and senescence, light harvesting and carbon fixation, and grain development and grain composition is discussed. The mechanisms of resistance, management options, and innovative breeding and functional genomics strategies to improve resistance to terminal drought in grain legumes are also discussed.
The United Nations has declared 2016 as the International Year of Pulses. Pulses are narrowly defined as leguminous crops that are harvested as dry seeds. Although some pulse crops are … The United Nations has declared 2016 as the International Year of Pulses. Pulses are narrowly defined as leguminous crops that are harvested as dry seeds. Although some pulse crops are harvested green (e.g., green peas), these are classified as vegetables because the pods are often consumed along with the mature and sometimes immature seeds. Other dried legumes such as soybean and peanut meet the definition of being a leguminous crop that is harvested as dry seeds; however, these crops are grown primarily for oil content and, thus, are not categorized as pulses. There are hundreds of pulse varieties grown worldwide; these include, for example, dry edible beans, chickpeas, cowpeas, and lentils. This review will cover the proximate (e.g., protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals), and phytonutrient (e.g., polyphenolics and carotenoid) composition of dry edible beans, peas, lentils, and chickpeas. Soybean and peanuts will not be covered in this review. The effects of processing on composition will also be covered. The health benefits related to folates, fiber, and polyphenolics will be highlighted. The health benefits discussed will include cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and weight control. The current review will not cover antinutrient compounds; this topic will be covered in a separate review article published in the same issue.
Climate change, food shortage, water scarcity, and population growth are some of the threatening challenges being faced in today's world. Drought stress (DS) poses a constant challenge for agricultural crops … Climate change, food shortage, water scarcity, and population growth are some of the threatening challenges being faced in today's world. Drought stress (DS) poses a constant challenge for agricultural crops and has been considered a severe constraint for global agricultural productivity; its intensity and severity are predicted to increase in the near future. Legumes demonstrate high sensitivity to DS, especially at vegetative and reproductive stages. They are mostly grown in the dry areas and are moderately drought tolerant, but severe DS leads to remarkable production losses. The most prominent effects of DS are reduced germination, stunted growth, serious damage to the photosynthetic apparatus, decrease in net photosynthesis, and a reduction in nutrient uptake. To curb the catastrophic effect of DS in legumes, it is imperative to understand its effects, mechanisms, and the agronomic and genetic basis of drought for sustainable management. This review highlights the impact of DS on legumes, mechanisms, and proposes appropriate management approaches to alleviate the severity of water stress. In our discussion, we outline the influence of water stress on physiological aspects (such as germination, photosynthesis, water and nutrient uptake), growth parameters and yield. Additionally, mechanisms, various management strategies, for instance, agronomic practices (planting time and geometry, nutrient management), plant growth-promoting Rhizobacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inoculation, quantitative trait loci (QTLs), functional genomics and advanced strategies (CRISPR-Cas9) are also critically discussed. We propose that the integration of several approaches such as agronomic and biotechnological strategies as well as advanced genome editing tools is needed to develop drought-tolerant legume cultivars.
Summary Cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) is a major crop for worldwide food and nutritional security, especially in sub‐Saharan Africa, that is resilient to hot and drought‐prone environments. An … Summary Cowpea ( Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) is a major crop for worldwide food and nutritional security, especially in sub‐Saharan Africa, that is resilient to hot and drought‐prone environments. An assembly of the single‐haplotype inbred genome of cowpea IT97K‐499‐35 was developed by exploiting the synergies between single‐molecule real‐time sequencing, optical and genetic mapping, and an assembly reconciliation algorithm. A total of 519 Mb is included in the assembled sequences. Nearly half of the assembled sequence is composed of repetitive elements, which are enriched within recombination‐poor pericentromeric regions. A comparative analysis of these elements suggests that genome size differences between Vigna species are mainly attributable to changes in the amount of Gypsy retrotransposons. Conversely, genes are more abundant in more distal, high‐recombination regions of the chromosomes; there appears to be more duplication of genes within the NBS‐LRR and the SAUR‐like auxin superfamilies compared with other warm‐season legumes that have been sequenced. A surprising outcome is the identification of an inversion of 4.2 Mb among landraces and cultivars, which includes a gene that has been associated in other plants with interactions with the parasitic weed Striga gesnerioides . The genome sequence facilitated the identification of a putative syntelog for multiple organ gigantism in legumes. A revised numbering system has been adopted for cowpea chromosomes based on synteny with common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris ). An estimate of nuclear genome size of 640.6 Mbp based on cytometry is presented.
Foreign plant germplasm collections in Ghana Foreign plant germplasm collections in Ghana
Drought stress is a critical abiotic constraint on agricultural productivity, particularly affecting crops like pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), which are highly susceptible to water deficits due to their physiological characteristics. … Drought stress is a critical abiotic constraint on agricultural productivity, particularly affecting crops like pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), which are highly susceptible to water deficits due to their physiological characteristics. The present study investigated the impact of a 40% reduction in irrigation on yield, macronutrient concentrations, and fruit quality across several pepper genotypes. The cultivars evaluated included two landraces, namely ‘JO109’ and ‘JO204’ (Capsicum annuum var. grossum), as well as the California cultivar ‘Yolo Wonder’ and the commercial F1 hybrid ‘Sammy RZ’, which served as controls. The experiment was conducted at the greenhouse facilities of the Laboratory of Vegetable Production, Agricultural University of Athens. Under reduced irrigation, most of the cultivars studied exhibited a decline in yield, which was attributed to a decrease in fruit number in ‘Yolo Wonder’ and a reduction in fruit weight in both ‘JO204’ and ‘Sammy’. In contrast, the landrace ‘JO109’ exhibited consistent yields under both growing conditions, a response likely attributed to elevated K concentration in the leaves and lower Na accumulation in the fruit, indicating enhanced tolerance to water deficit. A decline in leaf K concentration was observed in response to drought stress, while concomitantly increased concentrations of Na, Ca and Mg were recorded. Among fruit macronutrients, only Ca showed a significant decrease under reduced irrigation. Furthermore, fruit firmness (FF), titratable acidity (TA) and total soluble solids content (TSSC) exhibited higher levels under drought stress, particularly in ‘JO109’, while TA remained unaltered. These findings highlight the potential of landraces such as ‘JO109’ to be utilized in breeding programs aimed at enhancing resilience, while maintaining pepper fruit quality under limited water availability.
Objective: In this study, it was planned to examine the effects of farmyard manure on seed yield and yield components of different broad bean varieties. Material and Methods: The study … Objective: In this study, it was planned to examine the effects of farmyard manure on seed yield and yield components of different broad bean varieties. Material and Methods: The study was carried out in the ecological conditions of Mentese district of Muğla province in the 2021-2022 broad bean planting season. Seed yield and some yield components of farmyard manure doses (0-3000-6000 kg ha-1) in Histal, Salkim, Major and Golyaka varieties were examined. The study was planned with split-plot over randomized complete block design. Results: The interaction between farmyard manure and the variety has been observed to be significant for the number of flowering days, physiological maturity duration, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, number of seeds per plant and the weight of 100 seeds. Among the traits, the farmyard manure factor was found to be statistically significant in traits such as plant height and first pod height, while the variety factor was significant in the protein ratio. In terms of grain yield, both farmyard manure and variety factors were found to be statistically significant. The optimal grain yield, significantly affected by the amount of barn manure doses, was recorded at 2642 kg ha-1 at a dose of 6000 kg ha-1. Among the varieties, Histal variety stands out for its protein content, with a value of 23.5%. Conclusion: The effects of farmyard manure application on grain yield and yield components of pods were found to be significant. As a result of the study, it was determined that it was important to contine the experiment for more than one yearin order to observe the positive effects of barn manure application on the examined traits.
Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is the oldest cultivated plant in the world, rich in protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidant compounds. This study aimed to characterize some economically important faba … Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is the oldest cultivated plant in the world, rich in protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidant compounds. This study aimed to characterize some economically important faba bean cultivars based on agro-morphological, technological, and mineral properties using multivariate analysis methods. The research was carried out for two years in the trial land of Erciyes University Agricultural Research and Application Center located in the central campus of Erciyes University in 2021 and 2022. The trial was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications. The spacing was set at 50 cm between rows and 20 cm within rows, with 1 m spacing between plots and blocks, and a plot length of 4 m. The study determined significant positive correlations with plant height trait, wet volume, wet weight, dry weight, water absorption capacity, dry volume, 100-grain weight, and Na content of the grain. Based on the angle and correlation values of the axes in the same region with the Zn axis, Cu, protein ratio, Ca, P, cooking time, and S showed positive correlations, while the number of pods, Mn, and hydration coefficient showed negative correlations. Based on the angle and correlation values from the axes in the same region as the swelling index, water absorption index, Mn, hydration coefficient, the number of pods, Mg, and unite weight showed a positive correlation, while it showed a negative correlation with cooking time. The cluster analysis performed to define the genetic relationship between the varieties determined that 11 varieties were divided into 3 different clusters based on their morphological, technological, and mineral characteristics.
ABSTRACT Flower bud thrip ( Megalurothrips sjostedti Trybom) is a major insect pest of cowpea in sub‐Saharan Africa causing flower abortions resulting in significant yield loss. The objective of this … ABSTRACT Flower bud thrip ( Megalurothrips sjostedti Trybom) is a major insect pest of cowpea in sub‐Saharan Africa causing flower abortions resulting in significant yield loss. The objective of this study was to identify cowpea genotypes with resistance to flower bud thrips and map genomic regions associated with resistance to flower bud thrips in cowpea. A total of 220 Minicore cowpea genotypes were evaluated for flower bud thrips resistance under natural infestation in five environments and genotyped with a high‐density panel of 51,128 polymorphic SNP markers. Genotypes TVU‐3804, TVU‐7647 and Ecute were resistant to flower bud thrips across environments. Eleven significant GWAS signals associated with resistance to flower bud thrips in cowpea were detected on 8 chromosomes: Vu02 , Vu03 , Vu04 , Vu06 , Vu08 , Vu09 , Vu10 and Vu11 with marker 2_24860 (25.63 Mb) on chromosome Vu02 being consistently significant across environments. Positional candidate genes Vigun02g101600 (0.05 kb) and Vigun02g100900 (60.59 kb) from marker 2_24860 (25.63 Mb) on Vu02 encode leucine rich repeat and NB‐ARC domains‐containing disease resistance protein, respectively. These proteins are members of the disease resistance genes (R‐genes) in the legume family, involved in both plant innate immunity and induced plant‐specific defence responses. The identified genotypes and markers can be validated for use in marker assisted selection for flower bud thrips in cowpea.
Bekri Melka Abdo , Bizuayehu Tesfaye Asfaw , Solomon Abate +1 more | Plant Biosystems - An International Journal Dealing with all Aspects of Plant Biology
The intensive application of pesticides has multiple negative effects on soil health and plants quality and production. Many crops such as Cucumber, is an economically important crop which have many … The intensive application of pesticides has multiple negative effects on soil health and plants quality and production. Many crops such as Cucumber, is an economically important crop which have many health benefits, is suffering from harmful infestation with variant phytophagous insect pests such as Aphis gossypii, Bemisia tabaci and Liriomyza trifolii. Thus, the objective of this study is to investigate the impact of two types of insecticide application on plant and soil properties. Therefore, the population densities of aphid, whitefly and leafminer infesting cucumber and two associated predators (lady beetle and green lacewing) were investigated under seed and foliar treatments of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam. Results indicated that the three studied insect pests reduced in each of foliar or seed treatments compared to control in almost sampling dates in the two seasons. Seed treatment delayed the appearance of the previous insect pests by 2 to 3 weeks by insignificant difference with foliar treatment in the two seasons. The use of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam as seed treatment with very low application rate will provide the farmers with an additional tool of IPM for control aphid, whitefly and leafminer on cucumber plants with less environmental effect and increased applicator and consumer safety compared to foliar application. In addition, seed treatment was less dangerous on predators than foliar one. As well as, it is concluded that the first insecticidal spray can replace by seed treatment to control the infestation in early plant stage. Moreover, the foliar application caused negative impact on soil properties. Consequently, the seed application was friendlier environment and more economics than foliar application on cucumber pest infection and soil health.
Thrips, particularly Scirtothrips dorsalis (Hood) (Thripidae: Thysanoptera), are major sucking pests of chilli, with their populations varying throughout crop growth period depending on seasonal conditions. Field experiments were carried out … Thrips, particularly Scirtothrips dorsalis (Hood) (Thripidae: Thysanoptera), are major sucking pests of chilli, with their populations varying throughout crop growth period depending on seasonal conditions. Field experiments were carried out during the rabi and kharif seasons of 2024 in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu to study the population dynamics of susceptible and resistant chilli plants about weather parameters. In the rabi season, thrips infestation began in the second week of January and continued till March 2024. The peak population was recorded during the flowering stage in the 6th Standard Meteorological Week (SMW), with 4.73 thrips per three leaves in the susceptible entry IC-537583 and 2.73 thrips in the resistant IC-344364 at 75 days after transplanting (DAT). The associated weather conditions included 32 °C maximum temperature, 22 °C minimum temperature, 84 % maximum relative humidity, 41 % minimum relative humidity, 5.0 km/h wind speed, no rainfall and 4.07 sunshine hours. The thrips population declined at crop maturity, with 3.53 thrips in IC-537583 and 1.87 thrips in IC-344364. During the kharif season, initial thrips populations were recorded at the 28th SMW, peaking at the 32nd SMW, with lower populations of 3.73 thrips in IC-537583 and 1.33 thrips in IC-344364, primarily due to heavy rainfall from July to September. Correlation analysis showed that thrips incidence was positively correlated with maximum temperature, sunshine hours and wind speed in the first season. In contrast, minimum temperature, rainfall and relative humidity (both maximum and minimum) had a negative correlation. In the second season, maximum and minimum temperatures, maximum relative humidity and sunshine hours positively influenced the thrips population, whereas minimum relative humidity and rainfall had a negative impact. Multiple regression analysis accounted for 73 % and 64 % variation in thrips population during rabi and 64 % and 48 % during kharif.
<title>Abstract</title> The winged bean (<italic>Psophocarpus tetragonolobus</italic>), a highly nutritious yet underutilized legume, exhibits significant genetic diversity across different agro-climatic regions. However, more attention is needed to fully exploit its potential … <title>Abstract</title> The winged bean (<italic>Psophocarpus tetragonolobus</italic>), a highly nutritious yet underutilized legume, exhibits significant genetic diversity across different agro-climatic regions. However, more attention is needed to fully exploit its potential due to lack of adequate knowledge of the existing genetic diversity in the available winged bean germplasm. To bridge this gap, the study evaluates 28-winged bean genotypes collected from various districts of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Manipur, India and NBPGR. The research aimed to assess the phenotypic variability of these genotypes to support future breeding programs. A randomized block design (RBD) was used for the experiment, with observations recorded for 12 quantitative traits, including vine length, pod yield, seed characteristics, and germination parameters. The results revealed significant variability among genotypes in traits such as pod length (14.31 cm to 46.18 cm), pod width (2.14 cm to 3.63 cm), and number of seeds per pod (5.34 to 22.68). Genetic component analysis indicated high heritability for most traits, particularly the number of seeds per pod (98.98%) and pod length (96.84%), suggesting their strong genetic influence. Principal component analysis (PCA) demonstrated that four principal components accounted for 74.67% of the total variance, with pod- and seed-related traits contributing the most to diversity. Cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into three clusters based on yield and growth characteristics, with Cluster I genotypes exhibiting the highest pod yield per plant (742.15 g). The findings highlight the potential of selected genotypes for genetic improvement, emphasizing the need for further hybridization programs to enhance productivity and adaptability.
Moth bean is an agricultural staple crop that has been used as food, fodder, and green manure, along with its by-products like stem, husk, and pod coat. These by-products are … Moth bean is an agricultural staple crop that has been used as food, fodder, and green manure, along with its by-products like stem, husk, and pod coat. These by-products are an excellent source of high nutritional value, which can be used to supplement the diet. Moth bean pod coat was dried using a Recirculating tray dryer (MRTD), a Tray dryer (MTD), and a Through flow dryer (MTFD) at 40°C (T1) and 45°C (T2) to determine the best drying method and temperature combination for the preparation of dried pod coat powder. The dried pod coats were ground to obtain powdered samples for assessment of engineering, physicochemical, and functional properties at 3, 6, and 9% moisture contents (on dry basis). The pod coat powder samples displayed significant differences in engineering properties and physicochemical properties. The sample with 3% moisture content dried at 40°C(T1) using MRTD resulted in better engineering properties and phytochemical properties like bulk density (114.6 kg/m3), tap density (128.2 kg/m3), polyphenol content (17.21 mg GAE g-1), flavonoid content (6.31 mg CAE g-1) in comparison to other powder samples. The samples of tray drying (MTD)and through-flow drying methods showed decreasing trends of nutrient retention and powder properties. The results for proximate composition were found close to each other for all drying methods, but differed slightly in the case of fibre content. The tray drying sample (MTD) has crude 17.31% fibre content compared to other dried sample. The presence of a good amount of viable minerals in the dried samples is reflected by a high ash content of 3-4% in MRTDT1 powder at 3% moisture content. Overall, the results obtained indicated that moth bean pod coat powder with a 3% moisture content dried by recirculatory dryer at 40°C showed the best results and has potential to be used as a raw material for food applications.
The genus Vigna Savi (Leguminosae Juss.) comprises approximately 150 species, classified into five subgenera, most of which exhibit a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 22. However, the wild species … The genus Vigna Savi (Leguminosae Juss.) comprises approximately 150 species, classified into five subgenera, most of which exhibit a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 22. However, the wild species Vigna lasiocarpa (Benth) Verdc. (V. subg. Lasiospron) is notable for its dysploid chromosome number of 2n = 20. This study aimed to elucidate the chromosomal events involved in the karyotype evolution of V. lasiocarpa (Vla). We used oligopainting probes from chromosomes 1, 2, 3, and 5 of Phaseolus vulgaris L. and two barcode probes from the genome of V. unguiculata (L.) Walp. Additionally, bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) from V. unguiculata and P. vulgaris, along with a telomeric probe from Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh., were hybridized to V. lasiocarpa metaphase chromosomes to characterize Vla3, Vla7/5, and Vla9. Our findings revealed conserved oligo-FISH patterns on chromosomes 2, 6, 8, 10, and 11 between V. unguiculata and V. lasiocarpa. Paracentric and pericentric inversions were identified for Vla3 and Vla9, respectively. Our integrative approach revealed that the dysploid chromosome originated from an "end-to-end fusion" of homoeologous chromosomes 5 and 7. This is the first report on the chromosomal mechanisms underlying descending dysploidy in Vigna, providing new insights into the evolutionary dynamics of the genus.
The present investigation was conducted at the research plot of the Department of Entomology at Central Research Farm (CRF), Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, during the … The present investigation was conducted at the research plot of the Department of Entomology at Central Research Farm (CRF), Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj, during the Kharif season of 2024. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with three replications and eight treatments, Spinosad 45% SC (T1), Thiamethoxam 25% WG (T2), Azadirachtin 0.03% EC (T3), Chlorantraniliprole 18.5% SC (T4), Beauveria bassiana 1.15% WP (1x108 spore/lit), (T5) Chlorantraniliprole 8.8% + Thiamethoxam17.5% SC (T6), Emamectin Benzoate 5% SG (T7) and untreated Control (T0) were tested to compare the efficacy against Maruca vitrata and their influences on yield of Green gram. Each biopesticide was applied twice at 15-day intervals. Observations on the larval population were recorded one day before each treatment, three, seven and fourteen days after I and II spray on green gram. The outcomes showed that, in comparison to the control, the larval population greatly decreased in all of the insecticides and bio pesticides Among all the treatments, the plot treated with T6 Chlorantraniliprole 8.8% + Thiamethoxam 17.5% SC (1.06) proved most effective followed by T4 (1.29), T1 (1.73), T2 (2.30), T7 (2.56) and T5 (3.13). Among the treatments applied, the best and most effective treatment was T6 Chlorantraniliprole 8.8% + Thiamethoxam 17.5% SC (1:3.78), followed by T4 (1:3.23), T1 (1:3.20), T2 (1:3.19), T7 (1:2.97), T5 (1:2.95), T3 Azadirachtin 0.03% EC (1:2.75) as compare to control plot T0 (1:1.73).
Aims: This research aims to analyze and explore the level of awareness and constraints in adoption among the chickpea growers following IPM technology. Study Design: A descriptive and exploratory research … Aims: This research aims to analyze and explore the level of awareness and constraints in adoption among the chickpea growers following IPM technology. Study Design: A descriptive and exploratory research design was utilized in this study. Place and Duration of Study: This research, conducted during 2016–20, was confined to Zone Ib comprising of Sri Ganganagar and Hanumangarh districts of Rajasthan. Methodology: Guided by experts of Central Integrated Pest Management Centre (CIPMC) and the Agricultural Research Station (ARS), Sri Ganganagar, and considering the availability of IPM farmers, a sample size of 30 was finalized. Researchers identified 30 chickpea farmers practicing IPM technology and collected primary data by using structured schedules. Secondary data, especially the recommended IPM practices for chickpea for the zone, was sourced from the same institutions. The multistage stratified sampling method and Probability Proportionate to Size (PPS) method were followed to ensure the sample's representativeness. The study assessed farmer awareness of 14 key IPM components using a three-tiered awareness scale and analyzed constraints in IPM adoption using Kendall's W statistic. Results: The study revealed a very high level of awareness (100%) in water management as well as neem-based formulations among the chickpea growers. Growers’ awareness regarding other IPM components varied, and was especially low in pest-defender ratio (20%) and economic threshold level (10%). It also explored key constraints in adoption in IPM technology which included: scarcity of skilled labour, unavailability of essential inputs like traps, biofertilizers and bio-pesticides, lack of knowledge about ETL and the perceived complexity of IPM itself. Conclusion: These findings highlight the urgent need for interventions, including regular training to IPM farmers and improved access to the necessary resources, to accelerate the dissemination of the technology in an effective manner.
<title>Abstract</title> Bambara groundnut (<italic>Vigna subterranean</italic> L.), a leguminous crop native to Africa, is of parmount importance to food security as it represents one of the protein source to poor farmers … <title>Abstract</title> Bambara groundnut (<italic>Vigna subterranean</italic> L.), a leguminous crop native to Africa, is of parmount importance to food security as it represents one of the protein source to poor farmers in rural area. However, its genetic diversity and population structure remain poorly understood, especially among the diverse germplasm available in Benin. This study was directed towards genetic characterization of Bambara groundnut population in Benin using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. A population of 90 Bambara groundnut accessions were genotyped with SNP markers and amalyzed for genetic diversity and population structure. With the population structured into 9 sub-populations, the analysis revealed a higher diversity within the collected germplasm. The results showed a higher observed heterozygosity compared to expected heterozygosity. Population structure analysis demonstrated significant differentiation among accessions from distinct geographical regions, suggesting the influence of environmental factors on genetic variation. Clustering analysis showed that some accessions shared genetic similarities, indicating a common ancestry or gene flow between populations. Results from this research highlights the importance of conservation efforts and the need for targeted breeding strategies that leverage the genetic diversity available in local populations. This study contributes to the understanding of the genetic basis of Bambara groundnut in Benin and provides essential information for future breeding programs and sustainable agricultural practices aimed at improving this underutilized crop. Acquiring knowledge on genetic characteristics of this crop will aid in its conservation and genetic improvement to meet the challenges of food security in a changing climate.
The study was conducted at the Horticultural College and Research Station, Vegetable Science Department of TNAU, Coimbatore. Thirty cowpea genotypes, including 2 check varieties, were used to measure genetic variation, … The study was conducted at the Horticultural College and Research Station, Vegetable Science Department of TNAU, Coimbatore. Thirty cowpea genotypes, including 2 check varieties, were used to measure genetic variation, heritability and the genetic improvement across 13 key traits. The results suggested that for all traits, phenotypic variation exceeded genotypic variation, indicating that environmental factors played a dominant role in the observed variation. Genetic diversity was observed from the GCV values for several traits. These traits are associated with high heritability and significant genetic improvement, especially for characters such as pod weight, per plant pod yield and pod length, which are mainly controlled by additive genes; thus, they are suitable for use in breeding program to improve yield. The important trait in selecting high-yield cowpea varieties is shown by the strong positive genetic resemblance between the per pod seed number and per plant pod yield. PCA identified 5 main components that showed 77.53 % of the total variation. Traits with positive values in each component were considered the most important for yield, making them key factors for selecting high-yielding cowpea varieties.
Introduction Climate change poses significant challenges to agriculture, particularly for upland crops in vulnerable regions. Cowpeas ( Vigna unguiculata ), a vital protein source in the dry savannah of West … Introduction Climate change poses significant challenges to agriculture, particularly for upland crops in vulnerable regions. Cowpeas ( Vigna unguiculata ), a vital protein source in the dry savannah of West Africa, face production constraints due to yield variability from inconsistent rainfall patterns. Projections indicate an increase in extreme rainfall events, exacerbating excess moisture stress and complicating cultivation. This study evaluated the dual tolerance of cowpeas to both drought and excessive moisture by examining 99 genetic accessions, including both cultivated varieties and wild ancestors. Methods A total of 99 cowpea accessions, comprising 54 cultivated accessions ( Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.) and 45 wild ancestor accessions, were analyzed. Combinations of multiple indices with large genotypic variation—such as chlorophyll fluorescence, SPAD readings, and shoot biomass—were used to assess stress tolerance. Results While most accessions showed tolerance to only one stress or neither, ten accessions exhibited dual tolerance. Of the ten, nine were wild ancestors, underscoring the potential of wild genetic resources for crop improvement. As a factor underlying dual tolerance, we focused on the root morphological plasticity, allowing dynamic structural adjustments to different soil water conditions. Under excess moisture, a dual-tolerant accession formed lysigenous aerenchyma, facilitating oxygen diffusion and nitrogen fixation, while under drought conditions, it increased stele proportion. In contrast, a cultivar sensitive to both stressors exhibited lower plasticity, limiting its adaptability. Conclusion This study highlights the importance of using multiple indices to assess stress tolerance, as different parameters reflect distinct physiological responses. The findings provide valuable insights for breeding climate-resilient cowpea varieties that can adapt to fluctuating soil water conditions.