Bean Varieties Research Articles

Identification of Dry Bean Varieties Based on Multiple Attributes Using CatBoost Machine Learning Algorithm

Dry beans are the most widely grown edible legume crop worldwide, with high genetic diversity. Crop production is strongly influenced by seed quality. So, seed classification is important for both marketing and production because it helps build sustainable farming systems. The major contribution of this research is to develop a multiclass classification model using machine learning (ML) algorithms to classify the seven varieties of dry beans. The balanced dataset was created using the random undersampling method to avoid classification bias of ML algorithms towards the majority group caused by the unbalanced multiclass dataset. The dataset from the UCI ML repository is utilised for developing the multiclass classification model, and the dataset includes the features of seven distinct varieties of dried beans. To address the skewness of the dataset, a Box-Cox transformation (BCT) was performed on the dataset’s attributes. The 22 ML classification algorithms have been applied to the balanced and preprocessed dataset to identify the best ML algorithm. The ML algorithm results have been validated with a 10-fold cross-validation approach, and during validation, the CatBoost ML algorithm achieved the highest overall mean accuracy of 93.8 percent, with a range of 92.05 percent to 95.35 percent.

Effect of Two Seeding Rates on Nitrogen Yield and Nitrogen Fixation of Winter and Spring Faba Bean.

Faba bean (Vicia faba L. minor) is an important grain legume and is widely used as food and feed. It is traditionally used as a spring crop in Central European cropping systems. There is increasing interest in winter faba bean due to a higher yield potential, but limited knowledge of nitrogen (N) yields and nitrogen fixation (NFIX) exists. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare N concentrations, N yield of plant fractions, soil mineral N (SMN) and SMN sparing in the soil after harvest, NFIX and N balance of two winter faba bean varieties (Diva and Hiverna) to those of a spring faba bean (Alexia) using two seeding rates (25 versus 50 germinable seeds m-2) in a two-year field experiment under Pannonian climate conditions in eastern Austria. The winter faba bean varieties had higher N yields and NFIX, not only due to higher biomass yields, but also due to higher N concentrations and a higher percentage of N derived from atmosphere in the biomass. Conversely, the soil mineral N after harvest was lower compared to the spring faba bean. All treatments had a negative N balance due to higher grain N yield than NFIX. Winter faba beans left higher amounts of biologically-fixed N in residues for the subsequent crop, whereas spring faba bean left more SMN. Winter faba bean varieties obtained good results with both seeding rates, whereas the grain yield and the grain N yield of Alexia tended to higher with the higher seeding rate.

Genetic analysis of global faba bean diversity, agronomic traits and selection signatures

Key messageWe identified marker-trait associations for key faba bean agronomic traits and genomic signatures of selection within a global germplasm collection.Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is a high-protein grain legume crop with great potential for sustainable protein production. However, little is known about the genetics underlying trait diversity. In this study, we used 21,345 high-quality SNP markers to genetically characterize 2678 faba bean genotypes. We performed genome-wide association studies of key agronomic traits using a seven-parent-MAGIC population and detected 238 significant marker-trait associations linked to 12 traits of agronomic importance. Sixty-five of these were stable across multiple environments. Using a non-redundant diversity panel of 685 accessions from 52 countries, we identified three subpopulations differentiated by geographical origin and 33 genomic regions subjected to strong diversifying selection between subpopulations. We found that SNP markers associated with the differentiation of northern and southern accessions explained a significant proportion of agronomic trait variance in the seven-parent-MAGIC population, suggesting that some of these traits were targets of selection during breeding. Our findings point to genomic regions associated with important agronomic traits and selection, facilitating faba bean genomics-based breeding.

Black and pinto beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) unique mexican varieties exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential

Oxidative stress and inflammation play a key role in diverse pathological conditions such as cancer and metabolic disorders. The objective of this study was to determine the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potentials of crude extract (CE) and phenolic-enriched extract (PHE) obtained from the seed coats (SCs) of black bean (BB) and pinto bean (PB) varieties. Delphinidin-3-O-glucoside (46 mg/g SC), malvidin-3-O-glucoside (29.9 mg/g SC), and petunidin-3-O-glucoside (7.5 mg/g SC) were found in major concentrations in the PHE-BB. Pelargonidin (0.53 mg/g SC) was only identified in the PHE-PB. PHE from both varieties showed antioxidant and radical scavenging capacities, with strong correlations associated with total phenolic content (TPC). Polyphenolics, including catechin, myricetin, kaempferol, quercetin, and isorhamnetin glucosides, were identified in the extracts. In terms of the anti-inflammatory potentials, PHE-PB had an IC50 of 10.5 µg dry extract/mL (µg DE/mL) for cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibition. The inhibition values for cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) ranged from 118.1 to 162.7 µg DE/mL. Regarding inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibition, PHE-BB had an IC50 of 62.6 µg DE/mL. As determined via in silico analysis, pelargonidin showed binding affinities of −7.8 and −8.5 kcal/mol for COX-1 and iNOS, respectively, and catechin had a value of −8.3 kcal/mol for COX-2. Phenolic-enriched extracts from seed coats of black and pinto beans showed good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential that warrants in vitro and in vivo studies.

Non-conventional starches isolated from agronomic-improved beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.): A study of their structure and physicochemical properties.

Non-conventional starch sources are promising alternative food ingredients. Different bean varieties with agronomic improvements are constantly being developed and cultivated in the North-western Argentinean region (NOA) to increase yields and obtain high-quality seeds. However, the main attributes of their starches have not been studied. In this work, starches from 4 agronomic-improved bean cultivars were isolated and their structure and physicochemical properties were evaluated. High-purity starches were obtained, as their low protein and ash contents showed. Starch granules presented smooth surfaces with spherical to oval shapes, with a marked "maltese cross" and heterogeneous sizes. Their amylose content revealed a mean value of 318 g.kg-1 and all presented resistant > slowly digestible > rapidly digestible starch fractions. Their FTIR spectra were almost similar and the X-ray diffraction analysis showed a CA- type pattern in all cases despite their different sources. Among thermal properties, Escarlata´ starch showed the lowest gelatinization peak temperature (69.5 °C) and Anahí´ starch the highest (71.3 °C). Starch´s pasting temperatures varied from 74.6 to 76.9 °C, whereas peak viscosity and final viscosity had a similar tendency, being Leales B30 < Anahí < Escarlata < Cegro 99/11-2 and Leales B30 < Anahí = Escarlata < Cegro 99/11-2, respectively. This study provides a basis for a better understanding of the characteristics of agronomic-improved NOA bean starches, enabling their use in product formulation as an alternative to starches from conventional sources. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) varieties for adaptability and noble-forming ability in the conditions of the forest-steppe of Western Siberia

Relevance. From an agrotechnical point of view, beans are a valuable crop capable of greening agriculture. Legumes have the ability to enter into symbiotic relationships with nodule nitrogen-fixing bacteria and assimilate atmospheric nitrogen. The creation of highly efficient plant-microbial systems in agrocenoses by breeding new varieties of legumes with a high symbiotic potential is a promising direction that makes it possible to control the efficiency of plant biomass accumulation and the quality of agricultural products. There is a need to evaluate varieties for adaptability and nodule-forming ability to implement breeding programs to create highly productive and high-quality varieties that can realize the genetic potential of productivity in the sharply continental climate.Materials and methods. On the basis of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education Novosibirsk State Agrarian University in 2018-2020, an assessment was made of green bean varieties of different ecological and geographical origin with a bush type of growth. Experimental fields are located in the village of Michurinsky (left bank of Novosibirsk) and the educational and production farm "Garden of Michurintsev" (right bank of Novosibirsk). The study of samples in terms of adaptability parameters, as well as the ability to form nodules, was performed in accordance with generally accepted methods. We took into account the characteristics that affect the productivity of the crop - the number and weight of beans per plant, the weight of one bean, and the yield. The aim of the work is to evaluate the varieties of vegetable beans for adaptability and nodule-forming ability in the conditions of the forest-steppe of the Siberian region.Results. When forming the symbiotic apparatus, the growth conditions were taken into account. It has been established that high rates of biomass are observed on the territory of the village of Michurinsky. Varieties Morena and Maguyra are characterized by intensive growth in the experimental field of the village of Michurinsky, varieties Zoluyshka and Solnyshko – the educational and production farm "Garden of Michurintsev". The total number of nodules per plant varied from 29 (Kormilitsa) to 66. (Zoluyshka), active nodules – from 9 (Kormilitsa) to 49 (Zoluyshka). It is noted that the varieties Solnyshko and Zoluyshka have high rates of general adaptive ability and breeding value of the genotype. A strong relationship has been established between the characteristics of leaf mass and the number of active nodules, the number of active nodules and the leaf surface area; average - between the number of active nodules and plant biomass.

Varietal susceptibility of certain broad bean seeds to infestation with Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) and Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Seeds susceptibility of eight broad bean varieties to Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) and Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) infestation were studied for the first time in free- and no-choice methods in the laboratory of Plant Protection Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University. The relation between certain seed physical characteristics and some biological and and infestation parameters of both insects in the two studied methods were evaluated. None of these varieties were resistant to both insects, showing various levels of susceptibility. Biological and infestation parameters were significantly different among varieties except the developmental period. In free- choice method, Giza 3 was the most susceptible variety to both insects, since produced the highest progeny of 246.67 and 75.67 adults and susceptibility index (SI) of 10.25 and 7.42, respectively, while the least susceptible variety was Giza 716. In no– choice method, Nubaria 5 and Sakha 1 were the most susceptible varieties to C. chinensis, while Nubaria 3 and Giza 3 to C. maculatus. Differences between physical characters of varieties were significant. Seed hardness were correlated negatively and seed coat thickness positively with laid eggs, progeny and (SI) of both insects in free-choice method. Also seed coat thickness correlated positively with weight loss and seed damage (%) of C. chinensis and negatively of C. maculatus. To reduce seed losses the cultivation of the least susceptible variety (Giza 716) is encouraged and considered for breeding purposes to avoid insecticide usage.

Selection and adaptive introgression guided the complex evolutionary history of the European common bean

Domesticated crops have been disseminated by humans over vast geographic areas. Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was introduced in Europe after 1492. Here, by combining whole-genome profiling, metabolic fingerprinting and phenotypic characterisation, we show that the first common bean cultigens successfully introduced into Europe were of Andean origin, after Francisco Pizarro’s expedition to northern Peru in 1529. We reveal that hybridisation, selection and recombination have shaped the genomic diversity of the European common bean in parallel with political constraints. There is clear evidence of adaptive introgression into the Mesoamerican-derived European genotypes, with 44 Andean introgressed genomic segments shared by more than 90% of European accessions and distributed across all chromosomes except PvChr11. Genomic scans for signatures of selection highlight the role of genes relevant to flowering and environmental adaptation, suggesting that introgression has been crucial for the dissemination of this tropical crop to the temperate regions of Europe.

Variation in antioxidant capacity of the seven azuki bean (Vigna angularis) varieties with different seed coat color

ABSTRACT Azuki bean (Vigna angularis) is a small red bean commonly used in Japanese cuisine from ancient time. The most common azuki bean seed is red, but there are black, grey, brown, green, straw-colored, white, and various flecked varieties. We evaluated the total antioxidant capacity and phytochemical phenolics profiles of seven azuki bean varieties in relation to their seed coat color according to the L*a*b* system using a color-difference meter. Not the cotyledons but the seed coat of all the varieties, except the white variety, showed antioxidant capacity (DPPH radical-scavenging activity). In the extracts obtained with 0.4% trifluoroacetic acid using the whole seeds without grinding, a wide range of antioxidant capacity from 36.2 to 2.8 μmol Trolox eq./g DW was obtained. The antioxidant capacity in the azuki bean was localized at the seed coat, and correlated positively with the total phenolics content and negatively with the color lightness (L*). Anthocyanin was present in only three darker varieties, Kuro-azuki, Shimofuri-azuki and Nezumi-azuki. Tamba-dainagon, the most popular red colored variety, and other three varieties contained no anthocyanin. However, these varieties without anthocyanin, except for one white variety, clearly showed antioxidant capacity. The antioxidative capacity of the deep colored azuki bean was much higher than that of light colored azuki bean. The azuki seed coat is revealed as an effective potential source of natural antioxidants.

Response of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to lime and TSP fertilizer under acid soil

This study was design to investigate responses of four common bean (Polpole and Pantarkin, Deme and Nasir) varieties to four combinations of soil acidity treatments: lime and triple supper phosphate (TSP) fertilizer (+Lime, +TSP, +Lime + TSP, control) by using factorial randomized complete block design with sixteen treatments and three replications. The results of ANOVA showed statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences in interactions of common bean varieties and soil amendments, except shoot fresh weight. The highest root fresh and dry matters weight were obtained from Pantarkin (18.12 g) and Polpole (2.70 g) with interaction of the plot treated with lime and TSP fertilizer, respectively. The highest Leaf area index (6.50 and 5.17), yield (3.84 and 3.33 t ha−1), and hundred seed weight (51.21 and 18.46 g) recorded from Deme and Polpole varieties under buffered plots by lime and TSP fertilizers. The highest phosphorus use efficiency recorded from Deme (0.69) variety. The observed responses indicated improvements of acidity problems through buffering materials (lime) and common bean varieties such as Polpole and Deme which showed better tolerance than Pantarkin and Nasir varieties. These results demonstrate the importance of varietal responses and soil amendments as form of nutrients and buffering acidity for common bean production improvements in acid soil.

Assessment of genetic diversity and population structure of Indian common bean accessions using microsatellite markers

AbstractCommon bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is an important crop of family Fabaceae used as a potential source of proteins, fibres and minerals. Thus, characterization of existing germplasm is useful for improvement and conservation. The Indian Himalayan Region harbours plentiful varieties of common bean, but it is nearly unexplored till date. In the present study, physical and genetic diversity of common bean was examined. Fifteen newly designed chloroplast microsatellite (cpSSR) markers were used to assess genetic diversity and population structure in 119 common bean individuals from 20 diverse accessions gathered from Uttarakhand, India. Significantly, positive (p&lt; 0.05) relationship of seed weight was found with seed length (r = 0.813), seed width (r = 0.692) and seed length- width ratio (r = 0.694) using Pearson correlation analysis. A total of 20 alleles were identified using eight cpSSR markers. Mean number of alleles per locus (Na = 1.55), effective allele number (Ne = 1.370), expected heterozygosity (He = 0.213), average polymorphic loci (10.9) and Shannon information index (I = 0.313) were estimated based on cpSSR data. Maximum genetic diversity (He) was recorded in the AKJ/KK/DP/Jhalla/23 accession and minimum in the AKJ/YB/PS/Supi/43 accession. Bayesian-based STRUCTURE evaluation using cpSSR-based information partitioned 20 accessions into two distinct clusters which were also supported by neighbor-joining cluster analysis. These cpSSR markers also demonstrated transferability among other members like Vigna radiata, Macrotyloma uniflorum, Glycine max, Vigna mungo of Fabaceae family, therefore can be used to monitor their genetic heterogeneity. The findings from the study might be valuable to identify elite common bean accessions for production, conservation and future breeding programmes.

Identification of important morphology for waterlogging tolerance from developed mung bean F2 population

Waterlogging is severe abiotic stress during mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek var. radiata) production. Waterlogging impacts yield loss for the legume crop by around 40%-70%, depending on the severity and duration of the waterlogging. In total, 107 collected mung bean varieties were evaluated under managed waterlogging. The F2 population from crossing between waterlogging-tolerant and -susceptible mung bean varieties were screened under waterlogging conditions. Morphological responses to the waterlogging were recorded. Correlation and path coefficient analyses were used to identify essential traits for waterlogging tolerance and seed yield potential under water stress. Mung bean varieties in clusters 5 and 6 were high waterlogging tolerance with survival rates of 66.66% and 61.11%, respectively. Of 199 F2 lines from crossings between the Kamphaeng Sean2 and W162, 20 lines presented high waterlogging tolerance. The injury score was negatively correlated with the number of leaves at the final date of waterlogging (-0.845) and 1 wk after terminating the waterlogging (-0.885). At the final date of waterlogging condition, the number of leaves and leaf greenness stability index directly affected leaf injury at -0.5928 and -0.4385. One week after waterlogging termination, only the number of leaves affected the leaf injury at -0.8599. The number of leaves directly affected seed yield components at 0.6534 and higher than the direct effect of the other traits. Thus, the number of leaves was a suitable morphological parameter along with the injury score for selecting waterlogging tolerance. The number of leaves was a suitable parameter for selecting high seed yield potential under waterlogging conditions.

Effect of Foliar Application of Algaren and ALG6000 on Growth and Chemical Characteristics in Two Cultivars of Broad Bean (Vicia faba L.)

A field experiment was carried out in Nineveh Governorate during the winter season of 2018-2019 to study the effect of spraying with seaweed extracts Algaren and ALG6000 on some vegetative, root, qualitative and mineral growth characteristics of leaves and dry seeds of two cultivars of broad Beans. The study included eighteen treatments in each replicate, consisting of a control treatment (without any addition) and spraying with four levels of seaweed extract Algaren (2, 4, 6 and 8 cm3.l-1) as well as Four-level spraying of ALG6000 seaweed extract (2, 4, 6 and 8 cm3.l-1) on two broad bean cultivars. Algaren achieved the best value over ALG6000 in the studied traits. The French cultivar Aquadulce recorded better results than the Spanish cultivar Luzde Otono, with a dry root weight, leaf area, and nitrogen and phosphorous content of protein and carbohydrates in the dry seeds. In contrast, the Spanish bean variety Luzde Otono recorded the highest significant value in a number of root nodes, the content of leaves and dry seeds of potassium.

Cooking properties and nutrient retention of biofortified common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) varieties: The case of Burundi

IntroductionCurrent research on micronutrient deficiency indicates positive outcomes associated with utilizing biofortified beans in mitigating nutrition-related iron and zinc deficiencies, primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa. The common bean is however not palatable in its raw state and requires cooking before consumption. Existing research on the cooking qualities and nutrient retention of these novel biofortified common bean varieties is nonetheless scant, notably in Burundi.Materials and methodsThis study determined water absorption capacity, cooking yield, cooking time, and iron and zinc retention of 9 biofortified common bean varieties with Kinure, a traditional non-biofortified variety, as the control. The study employed a 10 × 2 completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement. The first factor was bean varieties with ten levels, and the second was pre-treatment with two levels, soaking and not soaking. Standard methods were used to analyze cooking properties and mineral retention, and experiments replicated thrice. Data analysis was conducted at a 95% confidence level and included Analysis of Variance and t-test comparison studies. Post-hoc analysis was performed using Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference.Results and discussionCooking properties and mineral retention varied significantly between soaked and unsoaked bean varieties (P &amp;lt; 0.05) and in comparison, to Kinure (P &amp;lt; 0.05 and P &amp;lt; 0.001). Water absorption capacity varied from 64.51% to 116.3%. Soaked beans recorded half the total cooking time needed to cook unsoaked beans (77.62 versus 156.86 minutes), had higher cooking yields (289.77% versus 259.82%), and reduced Fe (121.58 versus 167.8%) and Zn (127.74% versus 145.15%) retention. Compared to Kinure, soaking resulted in longer cooking times, lower cooking yields in the biofortified common beans, and an insignificant effect on their zinc retention. A significant correlation between iron and zinc retention (r = 0.445), water absorption capacity and iron retention (r = −0.0425) and water absorption capacity and zinc retention (r = −0.477) were recorded. Three clusters were also observed; iron and zinc retention, cooking yields, and water absorption capacity, and cooking time. It was observed that, soaking common beans before cooking reduces cooking time and increases cooking yield in both biofortified and traditional common bean varieties. Moreover, biofortified common beans are a good source of iron and zinc and could considerably alleviate micronutrient deficiencies, particularly in developing countries.

English

A study was carried out at two sites in Tanzania to assess the effect of different planting densities on growth and yield of five recently released bush bean varieties. The experiment was laid out in a split-plot design in a factorial arrangement with three replications during long and short rainy seasons of 2019/20 and 2020/21. The treatments comprised five bean varieties; TARIBEAN 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 and five plant population densities; 200000, 222222, 250000, 266666 and 333333 plants/ha. Variables evaluated were plant height, angular leaf spot and common bacterial blight disease scores in leaves, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, hundred seed weight and grain yield. The variables were subjected to ANOVA and means of statistically significant variables to plant density, variety, and environment were analyzed by Tukey HSD test and &ldquo;which-won-where&rdquo; view of the GGE biplot. The interaction of factors only affected significantly plant height and yield. Highest grain yield of 1,353 and 1,607 kg/ha were recorded by plant density of 200,000 plants/ha and TARIBEAN 1 variety at Maruku site during short rainy seasons (E2). Therefore, a plant density of 200,000 plants/ha and TARIBEAN 1 variety are recommended in all four environments. Key words: Plant density, bean varieties, grain yield, environment, GGE biplot, &ldquo;which-won-where&rdquo;.

The Effects of Different Fertilizer Applications on Some Morphological Traits in Fresh Bean

The study was conducted to determine the morphological changes caused by different fertilizer applications on the fresh bean, in the Göllü Village of Tusba District of Van Province according to the randomized blocks experimental design in 2019 and 2020. Sazova 1949 dwarf bean variety was used as plant material in the study. The field experiment was carried out with 4 replications and 4 different fertilizer applications (chemical, organomineral, cattle, and vermicompost) except for the control. In the study, plant height, stem diameter, node number, internode length, flower bud length, flower bud width, flower stem length, number of flowers per cluster, bract length, number of nodes with the first flower, middle leaflet length, number of leaves, first pod height, pod length, pod width, number of pods per bunch, pod weight, pod thickness, number of seeds per pod, chlorophyll (SPAD value) and leaf color L*, a*, b, Chroma°, and hue° values were investigated. As a result of the study; it was determined that different fertilizer applications gave significantly different results in terms of the traits examined, higher results were obtained from organomineral and vermicompost fertilizers compared to the control group, and generally equivalent or better results were obtained than chemical fertilizers. It was concluded that some organic fertilizer applications in bean cultivation might be used as an alternative to chemical fertilizer applications in terms of a sustainable world.

Physiological, Anatomical, Chemical, and Genetic Responses of Two Snap Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Varieties to Invitro Optical Bio-stimulation Induction

Physiological, Anatomical, Chemical, and Genetic Responses of Two Snap Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Varieties to Invitro Optical Bio-stimulation Induction

IMPLEMENTATION OF PROPORTIONAL AND PI ROASTING TEMPERATURE CONTROL IN DRUM-TYPE COFFEE ROASTER

Indonesia ranks as 4th highest coffee exporter by capacity and export value in the world, behind Brazil, Vietnam and Colombia. Statistics from The World Bank shows 2841 tons caffeinated roasted bean coffee from both varieties being exported from Indonesia throughout the world, while the National Statistics Board of Indonesia reported 380.173 tons of green bean coffee exported from Indonesia within 2019. Based on previous developments of coffee roasting technology, as this undergraduate thesis will explain about a coffee roaster prototype which is an improvement from previous researches, equipped with centralized temperature control and monitoring system from Artisan roasterscope that eases the operator or user’s workload to monitor the coffee beans’ roast level based on roast temperature and duration. In the experimentation of Ziegler-Nichols proportional control proves to give the best result for Robusta coffee with average rate of rise at 52.1° Celsius/min and average roast temperature of 140.8° Celsius which yields 100% roast uniformity at 95 Agtron roast scale. Following the addition of Astrom-Hagglund’s Proportional-Integral control, the result shows a formidable difference between each coffee bean varieties due to water content difference between both varieties. Keywords: coffee roasting, coffee roaster, proportional control, Artisan RoasterScope

Euphorbia helioscopia a Putative Plant Reservoir of Pathogenic Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens

The endophyte EHF3 strain was isolated in Algeria from an Euphorbia helioscopia plant growing in a fallow field. The strain was characterized by biochemical and physiological tests and assayed for the production of secondary metabolites involved in biocontrol, for plant growth promotion ability and for pathogenicity. The strain was identified by BIOLOG test as Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens. Biochemical and physiological characterization revealed that the strain was able to secrete protease, caseinase and amylase enzymes, to grow up to 37°C and at pH values 5 to 9. C. flaccumfaciens EHF3 strain was incapable of solubilizing phosphorus and to produce IAA, HCN siderophores and phenazine compounds. The strain showed a moderate swimming and swarming motility and produced biofilm. EHF3 strain was positive at the hypersensitivity test on tobacco plants and induced symptoms on three varieties of bean resembling to those of the bacterial wilt disease induced by C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens. The preliminary data reported in this study, regarding the detection of a pathogenic C. flaccumfaciens strain, as endophyte of a E. helioscopia plant, highlight the role of non-host plants as reservoir of this bacterial pathogen.

Assessment of Impact of Demonstrations on Vegetable Crops in Bundelkhand

During Kharif 2021, an investigation was carried out in Prathvipura village, block Babina, district Jhansi, and the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. A total of ten demonstrations on vegetables showed their production potential: bhindi, sponge gourd, brinjal, amaranth, and cowpea bean variety A-5, Pusa Sneha, Pusa Hara, Pusa Kiran, and Pusa Sukomal. Increased yields of 8.33, 9.38, 11.54, and 9.38 percent were recorded from bhindi, sponge gourd, brinjal, and cowpea crops, respectively, where the extension gap was 1500, 1500, 3000, and 1500 kg/ha. The technology gap was observed at 1000, 0, 4000, -50, and 5 kg/ha for cowpea, bhindi, brinjal, sponge gourd, and amaranth, where the technology index was 5.88, 0, 13.33, -0.31, and 3.85 percent, respectively. The highest net returns were observed for 95,000, 102,500, 120,500, 122,500, and 145,500 Rs from sponge gourd, amaranth, cowpea, bhindi, and brinjal, with cost-benefit ratios of 1.46, 2.73, 2.66, 2.13, and 2.32 after each rupee investment, followed by a local check.