Bean Species Research Articles

Faba Bean Variety Mixture Can Modulate Faba Bean–Wheat Intercrop Performance Under Water Limitation

Commercial legume varieties vary in terms of their drought tolerance when grown as sole crops, though relatively little is known about how legume variety selection affects cereal–legume intercrop performance under drought conditions. This study aims to test the hypothesis that positive rhizosphere interactions in faba bean–wheat intercrops will confer a “buffering capacity” on faba bean and wheat performance under water stress and that this effect will (i) depend on faba bean varietal selection and (ii) be enhanced with increasing faba bean varietal diversity. In a greenhouse experiment, three commercial faba bean (Vicia faba L.) varieties [Gloria (G), Alexia (A), Julia (J)] were grown in sole crop or intercropped with spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under well-watered or water-stress conditions. Under intercropping, either one, two, or all three faba bean varieties were grown together with wheat to test the effect of intraspecific diversity on a cereal–legume intercrop performance. Consistent with the proposed hypothesis, we found that, under well-watered and water-stress conditions, wheat and faba bean shoot biomass production and nitrogen (N) acquisition improved with intercropping and that faba bean variety and variety mixture strongly modulated the intercropping effect. Interestingly, in both well-watered and water-stress conditions, wheat dry biomass and N accumulation were greatest in intercrops containing Gloria, while nodule number, nodule weight, and N accumulation in faba bean were greatest for intercrops containing Alexia and Julia (AJ). The effect of varietal diversity was inconsistent. Intercrops with two faba bean varieties tended to have positive or neutral effects on measured wheat and faba bean variables. However, overall performance under intercropping was generally reduced when all three faba bean varieties were planted with wheat. The effect of faba bean species diversity can buffer faba bean–wheat intercrop performance against water stress, and intercropping tended to have positive or neutral effects on the measured wheat and faba bean variables, notably with two-varietal faba bean mixtures.

The tepary bean genome provides insight into evolution and domestication under heat stress

Tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolis A. Gray), native to the Sonoran Desert, is highly adapted to heat and drought. It is a sister species of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), the most important legume protein source for direct human consumption, and whose production is threatened by climate change. Here, we report on the tepary genome including exploration of possible mechanisms for resilience to moderate heat stress and a reduced disease resistance gene repertoire, consistent with adaptation to arid and hot environments. Extensive collinearity and shared gene content among these Phaseolus species will facilitate engineering climate adaptation in common bean, a key food security crop, and accelerate tepary bean improvement.

Seasonal dynamics of bean aphids and its relationship with the abundance of Lady Bird Beetles

The seasonal dynamics of aphid Aphis craccivora Koch (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on four bean species namely country bean Lablab purpureus, yard long bean Vigna sesquipedalis, hyacinth bean Dolichos lablab and bush bean Phaseolus vulgaris were studied from September to December 2017 in the experimental field of the Department of Entomology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh. The study also investigated the relationship between the abundance of aphid and its predatory insect lady bird beetle. Aphid abundance on the bean species showed increasing trend from the 4th week of September and reached to the peak during the 2nd week of November and then declined. Bush bean and yard long bean, respectively depicted the higher and lower abundances of aphid throughout the study. Relationship between the abundance of aphid and lady bird beetle on the bean species were positively correlated. Aphid showed negatively correlation with temperature and rainfall, and positive correlation with relative humidity, and the correlations were not significant. Multiple regression equation showed that temperature had the highest effect which contributed 16.1 - 19.2% role on the population of aphid.
 Bangladesh J. Zool. 48(2): 357-363, 2020

Introgression of anthracnose resistance into the background of locally adapted common bean landraces

Adequate knowledge, access and introgression of genetic diversity available in cultivated and wild relatives are pre-requisites for widening the genetic base of cultivars to sustain genetic improvement. An attempt was made to screen anthracnose resistance in 33 indigenous and exotic accessions of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) belonging to primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary gene pools including three popular and widely cultivated landraces of North-Western Indian Himalayas. The cultivated and wild species of common bean were introgressed into the backgrounds of landraces, which resulted in the development of 22 crosses comprising 6 each of intra and interspecific crosses with P. vulgaris and P. coccineus, 3 with P. acutifolius, 2 with P. lunatus and 5 backcrosses. The hybridity of these crosses was confirmed using morphological and molecular markers. The interspecific crosses of P. vulgaris × P. coccineus, P. vulgaris × P. acutifolius and P. vulgaris × P. lunatus were attempted for the first time in India using in-vitro approaches. Further hybrid plants were grown to maturity following embryo rescue protocol, but all showed different developmental abnormalities. The overall establishment of successful hybrids and their complete development was the maximum in cross of Bhaderwah Local × Poonch Local (18.28%) and the minimum in Bhaderwah Local × IC258276 and Bhaderwah Local × IC328372 (0.5%). The results of the present study revealed that wild relatives of common bean viz. P. coccineus, P. acutifolius and P. lunatus are an excellent source of resistance against anthracnose, which can be exploited for diversification of cultivated gene pool. These resistant genetic resources could also be shared among common bean researchers in the country or elsewhere under Standard Material Transfer Agreement for strengthening ongoing crop improvement programmes.

Assessment of Heavy Metals in Beans (Vigna unguiculata) Obtained from Oja-Tuntun Market, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

Beans play a significant role in human diet especially in developing nations like Nigeria, the largest producer and consumer of beans in the world. To ensure food safety, heavy metal levels need to be monitored on regular basis to control human exposure through dietary intake. This study aimed at assessing the levels of heavy metals in some species of beans available in Ife market, Osun State, Nigeria. Samples of each species of beans were bought and analyzed for heavy metals using X-ray Fluorescence spectroscopy. Results showed that the concentration of heavy metals such as Cu was present at a level ranging from 0.131–0.205 ppm, and Zn was present at level ranging from 0.073–0.182 ppm. Cd was present at concentration < 0.039 ppm. Cu, Zn and Cd levels in natural beans sample were observably below maximum permissible limit set by WHO in Table 2. Therefore, it can be concluded that majority of these beans species were not contaminated with the studied heavy metals, hence pose no immediate health risk to human.

Phytochemical screening and HPLC- UV method quantiϐication of Flavonoids in Coffee Arabica green seeds

The green coffee bean is the most commonly used beverages in India and it is one of the most commercialised food products. They have a rich source of biologically active compounds that are important for human health. The coffee tree or a shrub belongs to the family Rubiaceae. Commercially available, two species of green coffee bean are Coffea Arabica and Coffea canephora. Cancer is the most important cause of death. Apart from cancer, quercetin can also prevent Osteoporosis. The phytochemicals present in the green coffee bean can be used as an alternate therapy for cancer due to its antimitotic activity and free radical scavenging activity. Total antioxidant shows IC50 value 45.81. Kaempferol is a potent antioxidant that can defence against free radicals and cure chronic diseases. Flavonoids are phenolic substances that act as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergenic, antiviral and also have vasodilating actions. Green coffee bean shows a high concentration of Flavonoids in hydroethanolic extraction. The aim of this study is used to analyse the presence of Flavonoids in green coffee bean by using High-performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Flavonoids are potent antioxidant that can bind to a protein. Flavonoids show a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities like anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-microbial activity.

Desempenho de plantas de cobertura estivais e influência em atributos de solo em unidade didática no Sudoeste do Paraná

O cultivo de plantas de cobertura no sul do Brasil é predominante no período de inverno, apesar de existir espécies adaptadas para o período de verão, são limitadas as informações sobre o comportamento destas para a região. Deste modo, objetivou-se avaliar o desenvolvimento de fabáceas estivais, em diferentes épocas de semeadura e seus efeitos no teor de N e densidade do solo (Ds). O experimento foi implantado em 2010, com 10 espécies de plantas de cobertura, semeadas em cinco épocas, de novembro a março de cada ano. Nas safras 2013/2014, 2014/2015 e 2015/2016 foram realizadas a determinação de matéria seca (MS) de plantas de cobertura, na última safra obtido o teor de nitrogênio (N) de tecido, disponibilização de N e densidade do solo (Ds). As plantas apresentaram maior produção de MS nas primeiras épocas de semeadura e maior teor de N em tecido quando semeadas em março, porém o maior fornecimento de N na área se dá nas primeiras épocas de semeadura, variando de 92 à 255 kg N ha-1. Os maiores teores de N no solo foram encontrados na camada superficial, exceto para a crotalária ocroleuca que apresentou maior teor médio de N na camada de 0,05-0,10 m. O menor valor médio de densidade foi encontrado na camada superficial, 1,02 Mg m-³, e o maior valor na camada 0,05-0,10 m, 1,23 Mg m-³, para as espécies de feijão de porco e mucuna cinza. As plantas de cobertura apresentam máximo potencial de desenvolvimento quando semeadas em novembro e dezembro.

Callosobruchus phaseoli (Gyllenhal, 1833) (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae): a new invasive species in Kazakhstan

An invasive seed-beetle species cowpea weevil Callosobruchus phaseoli (Gyllenhal, 1833), was found in the south-eastern Kazakhstan (Almaty city) for the first time. Its areal includes India (species origin), South and Central America, Europe, Middle East (Israel), North Africa, Arabian Peninsula, Far East, China, Japan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Burma, Philippines, Hawaiian Islands, Australia, and Oceania. Damaged plants are adzuki bean Vigna angularis (Willd.) Ohwi & H. Ohashi (1969), mung bean Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek, broad bean Vicia faba Linnaeus, 1753, pea Pisum sativum Linnaeus, 1753, pigeon pea Cajanus cajan (L.) Huth, 1893, hyacinth bean Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet, 1826, Wisteria sp., lima bean Phaseolus lunatus Linnaeus, 1753, common bean Phaseolus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1753 and other species of beans, chickpea Cicer arietinum Linnaeus, 1753, Sesbania sp., rattlepod Crotalaria spectabilis Roth., lupine Lupinus sp. Emerged beetles immediately mate and begin to lay eggs on the same day. Beetle damage both in field and in storage. We were not able to find the species during the monitoring of agriculture lands and natural landscapes near the city. We assumed that the invasion occurred recently and the species did not have time to spread outside Almaty. Since C. phaseoli was discovered in Almaty, which is a transit crossroad for many trade routes, further species distribution should be predicted. The most probable corridor for further invasion of cowpea weevil in Kazakhstan is the south and southeast parts of the country, namely Almaty, Zhambyl, Turkestan, and Kyzylorda oblast's.

Comparison of Thiamine Contain in Mung Beans (Vigna radiata L.) and Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Mer.) with Fresh and Boiled Treatment

Mung beans (Vigna radiata L.) and soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Mer.) are species of nuts that contain good nutrients for health, such as thiamine or vitamin B1. Thiamine can increase appetite and important in nervous system. Both species of beans can be processed into consumable sprouts, both fresh and boiled. The research aims to compare the concentrations of thiamine in mung beans sprouts and soybeans sprouts in fresh and boiled conditions. The research procedure began with prepared fresh and boiled samples. Boiled samples were prepared by boiled sprouts for 3 minutes at 100°C. Thiamine was extracted from samples used 0,1 N HCl by heated on a water bath at 100°C for 30 minutes. The extracts of fresh and boiled sprouts were analyzed qualitatively used chemical reagents and quantitatively used spectrophotometer UV-Vis. Qualitative analysis showed that both fresh and boiled mung beans sprouts and soybeans sprouts contain thiamine. Quantitative test results for boiled and fresh mung beans sprouts were 0,26% and 0,15%, while soybeans were 0,64% and 0,44%, respectively. The thiamine content in soybeans sprouts is higher than in mung beans sprouts. Decrease of thiamine concentration in mung beans sprouts was higher at 42,31%, for boiled sample than soybeansbenas sprouts at 31,25%. The results of statistical tests used the t test showed a significant difference in thiamine concentration between fresh and boiled beans, both mung beans and soybeans.

Isolation, Identification, and Screening of Lactic Acid Bacteria with Probiotic Potential in Silage of Different Species of Forage Plants, Cocoa Beans, and Artisanal Salami.

The objective of this study was to isolate and characterize lactic acid bacteria with probiotic potential in silages of different species of forage plants, cocoa beans, and artisanal salami. The obtained isolates were submitted to the following evaluations: (i) screening for tolerance to pH2 and bile salts, (ii) genotypic identification of isolates, (iii) survival in simulated gastric and pancreatic conditions, (iv) antimicrobial activity, (v) antibiotic susceptibility and safety, and (vi) properties associated with adhesion capacity. A total of 82 isolates were obtained and were screened for pH2.0 tolerance and capacity to growth in the presence of bile salts (1.0 and 2.0%). Only 19 strains simultaneously presented tolerance to pH2.0 and bile salts. These 19 strains were evaluated for genetic profile by Box-PCR. Subsequently, the selected strains were subjected to partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. The species Lactobacillus plantarum was prevalent. The identified strains were evaluated for survival under simulated gastric and pancreatic conditions. Some strains have shown tolerance in both conditions. Different strains showed variations in antimicrobial activity, susceptibility to antibiotics, and properties associated with adhesion (hydrophobicity, autoaggregation, coaggregation, and adhesion to CaCo2 cells). All strains were negative for hemolysis, DNase, gelatinase, and biogenic amine synthesis activity. The L. plantarum SBR64.7 strain can be considered the most promising for it presented the lowest viability reduction when exposed to gastric and pancreatic juices.

<p><strong><em>Phaseolus albicarminus</em> (Leguminosae, Phaseoleae), a new wild bean species from the subhumid forests of southern central Costa Rica</strong></p>

During a search for populations of wild common bean, namely south of the Central Valley of Costa Rica, a new bean species, Phaseolus albicarminus, has been found on the slope of a mountainous range named Cerros Llano Bonito in the western part of Talamanca range, where it appears to be endemic. Its main morphological features are: short pseudoracemes with four small deltoid primary bracts, small early caducous deltoid bracteoles, calyx lobes reduced to two lips, white wings contrasting with carmine purple inner face of standard, and smoothly curved 3–4 seeded pods with prow-shaped beak. The differences with apparently closely related species, P. hygrophilus and P. angucianae, are: in primary bracts (orbicular versus oval acuminate), larger bracteoles (cordate versus rounded), inner face of standard (pale pink to white versus purple), lower calyx lobes (rounded versus triangular), and pod dorsal suture (straight versus sigmoid), respectively. The fact that to date only three populations of P. albicarminus are known from the same small area of Costa Rica, calls for monitoring its conservation status. This new species is tentatively assigned to the section Brevilegumeni which seems well represented in Costa Rica (with five out of six taxa).

The effect of heat treatment on antioxidant activity of ethyl acetate extracts Arbila beans from Kapan, East Nusa Tenggara

Oxidative stress is a condition of imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body. This condition is dangerous because free radicals easily react with biomolecules such as DNA and protein, causing damage. This oxidative stress can be prevented by intake of antioxidants in food or supplements. Arbila beans (Phaseolus lunatus L.) is a bean species that grows in East Timor and had been utilized by the local community from a long time ago. This research was aimed to analyze the antioxidant activity of Arbila bean ethyl acetate extract. The results of the research showed that antioxidants activity, which was expressed in IC50 value, was detected on the ethyl acetate extract of Arbila bean which is not cooked or cooked. The IC50 value of dry extract (LKE) and cooked extract (LRE) were 197.61 μg/mL and 207.93 μg/mL. Based on qualitative with HPLC, dry extract has 10 compounds and after given heat treatment is reduced to 6 compunds.

Determination of the pasting properties of horse-eye bean flour (Mucuna sloanei) varieties relevant to its processing

Horse-Eye Bean seeds are edible rich source of several essential nutrients which can be processed into flour for several purposes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pasting properties of flour processed from species of Horse-Eye Bean seed using Rapid Visco-analytical machine. The results obtained showed that peak viscosity, trough viscosity, breakdown viscosity, final viscosity, setback viscosity were 294.84 RVU, 219.50RVU, 75.34 RVU, 838.96 RVU, and 619.46 RVU for the Big-Sized sample flour and 271.30 RVU, 207.92 RVU,67.37 RVU, 723.46 RVU, and 576.83 RVU for the Small-Sized sample flour respectively. It showed that Horse-Eye Bean flours can be used to improve food quality and their suitability for various foodformulations. Hence they can find useful application for making of pastries like cakes and other snacks.
 Keywords: Horse-Eye Bean flour, Pasting properties, Rapi Visco Analyzer, viscosity.

Experimental evolution of competing bean beetle species reveals long-term reversals of short-term evolution, but no consistent character displacement.

Interspecific competition for shared resources should select for evolutionary divergence in resource use between competing species, termed character displacement. Many purported examples of character displacement exist, but few completely rule out alternative explanations. We reared genetically diverse populations of two species of bean beetles, Callosobruchus maculatus and Callosobruchus chinensis, in allopatry and sympatry on a mixture of adzuki beans and lentils, and assayed oviposition preference and other phenotypic traits after four, eight, and twelve generations of (co)evolution. C. maculatus specializes on adzuki beans; the generalist C. chinensis uses both beans. C. chinensis growing in allopatry emerged equally from both bean species. In sympatry, the two species competing strongly and coexisted via strong realized resource partitioning, with C. chinensis emerging almost exclusively from lentils and C. maculatus emerging almost exclusively from adzuki beans. However, oviposition preferences, larval survival traits, and larval development rates in both beetle species did not vary consistently between allopatric versus sympatric treatments. Rather, traits evolved in treatment‐independent fashion, with several traits exhibiting reversals in their evolutionary trajectories. For example, C. chinensis initially evolved a slower egg‐to‐adult development rate on adzuki beans in both allopatry and sympatry, then subsequently evolved back toward the faster ancestral development rate. Lack of character displacement is consistent with a previous similar experiment in bean beetles and may reflect lack of evolutionary trade‐offs in resource use. However, evolutionary reversals were unexpected and remain unexplained. Together with other empirical and theoretical work, our results illustrate the stringency of the conditions for character displacement.

The effect of laundry grey water irrigation on the growth response of selected local bean species in Nigeria

Abstract. This study examined the growth responses of some selected local bean (pulses) varieties in Nigeria; Vigna unguiculata (Ife brown), Vigna unguiculata (Ekpoma Local), Phaseolus vulgaris, Cajanus cajan and Glycine max, cultivated on soil irrigated with laundry-based grey water. Healthy seeds of all bean species were sown in plastic bowls of three replicates each and irrigated daily with similar quantities of the respective grey water. The effect of the grey water on the germination, growth and yield of all the beans was observed for a period of four months. The result obtained revealed that grey water had a negative effect on the growth and yield of all the beans as there was a decrease in the percentage emergence of all seedlings, height of emergent seedlings and number of flowers and pods produced. Grey water also altered the chlorophyll content and total crude protein of all the beans subjected to the treatment. The effect of grey water on plant is as a result of accumulation of excess salts contained in grey water on the soil.

Bacterial wilt of dry beans caused by Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens: A new threat from an old enemy.

Bacterial wilt and tan spot of dry beans (family Fabaceae), caused by Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens, is an important emerging disease threatening the edible legume industry around the globe. The management of bacterial wilt has been a major problem since its original description in 1922. This is in part due to the seedborne nature of the pathogen allowing the bacterium to be transmitted long distances via infected seeds, as well as a lack of detailed molecular information concerning the pathogenicity repertoires and virulence determinates of the pathogen. Identification can also be difficult owing to the presence of five different colony colour variants (i.e., yellow, orange, pink, purple, and red) on culture media. In this review, we provide an overview of the aetiology, epidemiology, and management strategies of bacterial wilt disease. First, a comprehensive and comparative symptomology of the disease on different dry bean species is described. Then, the taxonomic history of the causal agent and utility of high‐throughput sequencing‐based approaches in the precise characterization of the pathogen is explained. Furthermore, we provide an updated outline on the global distribution of the pathogen, highlighting expansion of the causal agent into the areas with no history of the disease until the beginning of the current century. Finally, because there are limited options for use of conventional pesticides against the pathogen, we highlight the use of integrated pest management strategies, for example quarantine inspections, resistant cultivars, and crop sanitation, to combat the risk of bacterial wilt disease in the dry bean industry.Disease symptomsInterveinal chlorosis on leaflets leading to necrotic areas and systemic wilt. Seed discolouration to yellow, orange, pink, or purple is seen in white‐seeded cultivars.Host rangeCauses bacterial wilt and tan spot disease on edible dry beans in the Fabaceae family, including common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), mungbean (Vigna radiata), soybean (Glycine max), as well as a number of weed species.Taxonomic status of the pathogenBacteria; phylum Actinobacteria; order Actinomycetales; suborder: Micrococcineae; family Microbacteriaceae; genus Curtobacterium; species Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens. Synonyms Corynebacterium flaccumfaciens subsp. flaccumfaciens; Corynebacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens, Corynebacterium flaccumfaciens, Phytomonas flaccumfaciens, Bacterium flaccumfaciens. Microbiological propertiesMulticoloured (yellow, orange, pink, purple, and red), gram‐positive, aerobic, curved rod, nonspore‐forming, polar flagellated, motile cells.DistributionWidespread in America (Brazil, Canada, and the USA), Australia, and Iran. Restricted occurrence in Africa and Europe.Phytosanitary categorizationEPPO A2 list no. 48, EU Annex II⁄B.

Diversity and phenotypic analyses of salt- and heat-tolerant wild bean Phaseolus filiformis rhizobia native of a sand beach in Baja California and description of Ensifer aridi sp. nov.

In northern Mexico, aridity, salinity and high temperatures limit areas that can be cultivated. To investigate the nature of nitrogen-fixing symbionts of Phaseolus filiformis, an adapted wild bean species native to this region, their phylogenies were inferred by MLSA. Most rhizobia recovered belong to the proposed new species Ensifer aridi. Phylogenetic analyses of nodC and nifH show that Mexican isolates carry symbiotic genes acquired through horizontal gene transfer that are divergent from those previously characterized among bean symbionts. These strains are salt tolerant, able to grow in alkaline conditions, high temperatures, and capable of utilizing a wide range of carbohydrates and organic acids as carbon sources for growth. This study improves the knowledge on diversity, geographic distribution and evolution of bean-nodulating rhizobia in Mexico and further enlarges the spectrum of microsymbiont with which Phaseolus species can interact with, including cultivated bean varieties, notably under stressed environments. Here, the species Ensifer aridi sp. nov. is proposed as strain type of the Moroccan isolate LMR001T (= LMG 31426T; = HAMBI 3707T) recovered from desert sand dune.

Maize-bean intercropping yields in Northern Germany are comparable to those of pure silage maize

Abstract Maize-bean intercropping is currently gaining popularity among farmers in Germany, although there is hardly any data available on the yield potential under moderate maritime climate conditions in comparison to pure maize cultivation as well as on the choice of the bean cultivar. To assess the agronomic potential of maize-bean intercropping for organic farming, field-experiments over two growing seasons were conducted in Northern Germany (53°46′N, 10°30′E). A split-plot design with two sowing times of the beans as main-plot-factor and different bean species and cultivars (Phaseolus vulgaris, cv.: Cobra, Eva, Tarbais, P. coccineus, cv.: Preisgewinner, Weise Riesen, Vicia faba cv.: Isabell) as subplot-factor was applied. In both years, the average intercropping yield (11 t ha−1 in 2011 and 14 t ha−1 in 2012) of the two sowing dates was comparable to that of maize-control, except for Maize-Eva in 2011. The highest intercropping yields in 2011 were shown by cv. Tarbais and Preisgewinner with bean shares ranging from 34% to 39%. By contrast, the late-sown beans in 2012 had a share of 6–12% only, reflecting the overall higher maize yield level. Compared to maize control, the intercropping with Tarbais and Preisgewinner, which achieved the highest leaf mass scores, led to a significant improvement in crude protein yield by 36% and 18% in 2011, respectively. Earlier ripening bean cultivars (e.g. cv. Eva and Cobra) tend to lose their leaves before harvest. So cultivars with a longer growth period (e.g. cv. Tarbais), similar to maize, should be used to achieve high bean and crude protein yields. Our results demonstrate the importance of cultivar choice for achieving high bean yields that have the potential to improve feed quality. Tarbais and Preisgewinner were the most suitable cultivars for maize-bean intercropping, as they achieved the highest bean yields and improved the crude protein yield in 2011. Even though further optimization is indispensable, we have shown that maize-bean intercropping can fit into organic farming systems under moderate maritime climate.

Quantitative determination of water soluble vitamins, minerals and proximate compositions of three varieties of beans in Bauchi State Nigeria

The quantitative determination of water soluble vitamins, minerals and proximate compositions of three varieties of beans in Bauchi State, Nigeria, was carried out in this study. Three varieties of beans which includes one of the most commonly consumed species of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) locally called Kanannade, the least consumed (most rare) specie of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) locally called gayan-gayan and soybean (Glycine max) locally called waken soya found in Bauchi State, Nigeria were analysed. Results for the determination of the proximate composition shows that soybean (Glycine max) among three different samples had the highest protein content (34.21 %), ash content (3.11 %), Crude fat (25.30 %). While Cowpea (kanannade) has the highest Carbohydrate content (58.04 %) and Cowpea (gayan-gayan) has the highest Moisture contents (12.43 %) respectively. Soya bean has the highest contents of vitamin (B1, B3, and B6) for the three water soluble vitamins analysed although the values obtained were less than the recommended dietary allowance recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). In the Mineral composition of the two species of cowpea beans (Vigna unguiculata), and soybean analysed, soybean had the highest content of most of the mineral elements. The concentration of potassium was found to be very much higher than all the other mineral elements that were determined in all the samples. The results from this analysis shows that the three varieties of beans analyzed were found to be rich in minerals and highly nutritious.Keywords: Vigna unguiculata, Glycine max, vitamins, minerals and proximate composition

Variability and Intra-Specific Classification of Lima Bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) from Timor Island based on Morphological Characters

Lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus L.) is a species of beans which originating from the regions of Central America and Andes Mountains. Lima bean in Timor Island is underutilized although these plant growth there and have many variations. This study aims to determine the diversity of lima beans on Timor Island based on morphological characters. Samples were collected by survey methods from three districts on the island of Timor. Morphological traits related to the vegetative and flowering stages and mature seeds morphology were scored using the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute lima bean descriptors with a soft modification. The similarity index is calculated using the General Similarity Coefficient Gower formula. The dendogram is generated from cluster analysis using the Unweighted Pair Group Methods using Arithmetic Average (UPGMA) method. Furthermore, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to determine the role of each morphological character used. The dendogram shows that 23 collected accessions are divided into two main clusters with a 57% similarity index. The two clusters are distinguished based on the presence or absence of secondary colors and secondary patterns in the seed organs. Then, each main cluster is divided into two subclasses based on the character of the pigmentation stem, the length of the terminal leaflets, flower color, and seed type.