Lathyrus Sativus Research Articles

Bioethanol production from grass pea and wild oat hydrolysates using S.cerevisiae ETP53, K. marxianus ETP87, and P. fermentans ETP22

Conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into bioethanol is essential to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. After the grass pea and wild oat straws were characterized, they were hydrolyzed by live fungi (in situ), crude fungal enzymes, and chemical methods (sodium hydroxide and sulphuric acids at 0.5, 1, 2, and 3%). The fungi used for in situ degradation and crude lignocellulosic enzymes were Aspergillus niger JMC22344, Trichoderma reesei JMC22, Pleurotus ostreatus M2191, and Pleurotus sajor-caju M2145. Furfural content of hydrolysates was analyzed by GC–MS. The potential of activated charcoal, overliming, and sequential activated charcoal-overliming potential to reduce furfural in the acid hydrolysates were evaluated. The hydrolysates were fermented by S. cerevisiae ETP53, K. marxianus ETP87, and P. fermentans ETP22. Sulphuric acid hydrolyzed common wild oat (8.91 g/L) yielded higher sugars than NaOH (3.88 g/L) and NaOH treated wild oat (8.14 g/L) was superior in terms of sugars released than grass pea (4.21 g/L). P. ostreatus M2191 liberated the highest sugar (18.63 g/L) extracts than T. reesei JMC22676, A. niger ETP22344 and P. sajor-caju M2145. The 23–77% of the furfural in acid hydrolysates was reduced by overliming, activated charcoal, and the sequential activated charcoal-overliming. Yeasts produced optimal ethanol from straws hydrolyzed by crude enzymes from A. niger JMC22344. Generally, the ethanol titer was directly proportional to the amount of sugars released.

Current Perspectives on Reducing the β-ODAP Content and Improving Potential Agronomic Traits in Grass Pea (Lathyrus sativus L.).

Grass pea is well-established as one of the most resilient and versatile crops that can thrive under extreme climatic circumstances such as cold, heat, drought, salt-affected soils, submergence, and excessive rainfall along with resistance to several diseases and pests. However, despite the awareness of its virtues, its cultivation globally has decreased recently owing to the presence of a neurotoxin, β-N-oxalyl-L-α, β-diaminopropionic acid (β-ODAP), in the seedlings and seeds of this legume, which has been reported to cause neurolathyrism, a non-reversible neurological disorder in humans and animals. Significant repositories of Lathyrus germplasm are available across countries that have provided access to a wide range of agro-morphological traits as well as the low β ODAP content. Efforts have been made worldwide to use these germplasms for the genetic enhancement of grass pea to make this food safe for human consumption. Efforts on molecular breeding of this crop are also lagging. However, during the last decade, the research scenario has changed with some efforts being made toward improving this climate resilient pulse in terms of genomic resources. Molecular markers have also been used to evaluate the interspecific diversity as well as the phylogenetic relationship among the species and mapping studies. Intron-targeted amplified polymorphic, genomic simple sequence repeat, resistance genes analogs, and disease resistance markers developed for other legume species have been successfully cross-amplified in grass pea. Transcriptomic studies have recently been undertaken on grass pea by deploying several second-generation sequencing techniques. In addition, a few studies have attempted to unveil the genes and the underlying mechanism conferring biotic and abiotic stress or regulating the pathway of β-ODAP in grass pea. Proteomics has accelerated the identification studies on differential proteomes in response to salinity and low-temperature stress conditions for unveiling the common signaling pathways involved in mitigating these abiotic stresses and in discovering differentially regulated proteins. In grass pea, a metabolomics approach has been used to identify the metabolic processes associated with β-ODAP synthesis. Genome sequencing of grass pea is under way which is expected to be vital for whole-genome re-sequencing and gene annotation toward the identification of genes with novel functions. Recently, a draft genome sequence of grass pea was developed, and some efforts are underway to re-sequence a diverse panel of grass pea comprising 384 germplasm lines. Owing to the scantiness of a successful transformation protocol, research on the application of modern approaches of genome editing like the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) or CRISPR-associated protein 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system for the engineering of signaling pathways or regulatory mechanisms seeks immediate attention to reduce the β-ODAP content in seeds and to improve the potential agronomic traits in grass pea.

Grass pea natural variation reveals oligogenic resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. pisi.

Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is an annual legume species, phylogenetically close to pea (Pisum sativum L.), that may be infected by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. pisi (Fop), the causal agent of fusarium wilt in peas with vast worldwide yield losses. A range of responses varying from high resistance to susceptibility to this pathogen has been reported in grass pea germplasm. Nevertheless, the genetic basis of that diversity of responses is still unknown, hampering its breeding exploitation. To identify genomic regions controlling grass pea resistance to fusarium wilt, a genome-wide association study approach was applied on a grass pea worldwide collection of accessions inoculated with Fop race 2. Disease responses were scored in this collection that was also subjected to high-throughput based single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) screening through genotyping-by-sequencing. A total of 5,651 high-quality SNPs were considered for association mapping analysis, performed using mixed linear models accounting for population structure. Because of the absence of a fully assembled grass pea reference genome, SNP markers' genomic positions were retrieved from the pea's reference genome v1a. In total, 17 genomic regions were associated with three fusarium wilt response traits in grass pea, anticipating an oligogenic control. Seven of these regions were located on pea chromosomes 1, 6, and 7. The candidate genes underlying these regions were putatively involved in secondary and amino acid metabolism, RNA (regulation of transcription), transport, and development. This study revealed important fusarium wilt resistance favorable grass pea SNP alleles, allowing the development of molecular tools for precision disease resistance breeding.

Effect of canopy temperature on physiological processes of grass pea as influenced by seed priming and foliar fertilization

Effect of canopy temperature on physiological processes of grass pea as influenced by seed priming and foliar fertilization

Pathogenic variation of Olpidium viciae isolates on faba bean varieties and other legumes

Faba bean is an important cool-season food legume currently constrained by an emerging gall disease (Olpidium viciae) in Ethiopia’s highlands. Variability tests of O. viciae isolates were conducted to determine its pathogenic variation on six faba bean varieties in the growth chamber and eight other legumes in the screen house. Each faba bean variety and legume was inoculated with zoospores suspension (106 spores mL−1) of each isolate. The variability tests were conducted twice on six faba bean varieties to identify the pathogenic level of 30 O. viciae isolates and the experiments were factorially arranged in a completely randomized design with three replications. There was significant variation (P < 0.01) among faba bean varieties, other legumes, and isolates in the components of disease development in both experiments. Isolates ST8 and SL4 caused the highest disease severity (34.23%) and area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) (180.56%-days) on faba bean variety Bulga 70. Seven pathogenic isolates were identified as causing more disease on faba bean varieties than the remaining 23 isolates and then inoculated on other legumes. Isolate SEL caused the highest disease severity on grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) (20.99%). Next to faba bean, higher AUDPC (156.64%-days) was calculated from inoculated grass pea with WQZ isolate. Thus, the isolates varied in their infection ability in the tested legumes and faba bean varieties, and the pathogen had a wide range of hosts.

Evaluation of the effects of 5-fluorouracil and cyclophosphamide on Lathyrus sativus L.

BackgroundThe effect of 5-fluorouracil (5FU) and cyclophosphamide (CP) on grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) has been studied.ResultsThe effect of the selected drugs on radicle length, colchicine induces polyploidy and in vitro callus growth has been studied (concentration used: 5-Fluorouracil—0.01, 0.1, 1 and 10 mM; Cyclophosphamide—1, 10, 20 and 30 mM). The biochemical studies on superoxide dismutase, catalase and lipid peroxidase activity also studied. Radicle length, polyploidy percentage and callus growth decrease in both the drugs in a dose-dependent manner. The SOD, catalase and LP activity decrease with the increase in drug concentration except for low dose (for 5FU—0.01 mM and 1 mM for CP). Induced polyploidy (Control B) than water germinated seedling (Control A) shows higher enzyme activity but a decrease in the increased dose of drugs.ConclusionsThe present work has been done to assess the effective potentiality of two anticancerous drugs 5FU and CP with an objective to establish plant system as a model for preliminary screening of anticancerous lead compounds. The result of the present work would pave the way for the screening of unknown lead compounds with the potentiality to act as base analogue and DNA cross-linking drugs. This system is faster, cost-effective and convenient than animal model.

Palaeodiet, palaeoecology and palaeoenvironment during 1200 BCE–300 CE in the Ganga Plain: A palaeoethnobotanical and palynological approach

This paper presents the results of plant macro–remain analysis from Iron Age–Historic settlement sites in Ganga Plain. The plant remains affirm the presence of distinct agricultural economy based on cereals (Oryza sativa, Hordeum vulgare, Triticum aestivum, Triticum sphaerococcum), pulses (Lathyrus sativus, Vigna sp., Macrotyloma uniflorum), oil–fibre yielding (Sesamum indicum, Gossypium sp.) and minor millets (Panicum sp., Setaria sp.). Relative dates based on ceramics from individual site provide secure chronology for the sites between 1200 BCE to 300 CE. Also analyzed pollen and non–pollen palynomorphs from Biland–Khera (200 BCE–300 CE) cultural sediment to investigate palaeovegetation and palaeoenvironment around the settlement.

Results of the vir collecting mission in Adygea and Kuban in september 2018

Twenty-six habitats in the Western Caucasus have been examined. Fifty-nine samples of seeds of cultivated plants, their wild relatives, and 77 herbarium specimens have been collected. Some of the samples are landraces of Phaseolus beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), spring garlic (Allium sativum L.), shallots (Allium ascalonicum L.), hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var. longum (DC.) Sendtn.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.), etc. Another part of the samples are cultivated plants forms of folk breeding, e.g., cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.), etc. Samples of such wild relatives of cultivated plants as Lactuca serriola L., Prunus spinosa L., Cicerbita racemosa (Willd.) Beauverd, Asclepias syriaca L., Lathyrus sylvestris L., etc. were included in the VIR collections.

Adaptation of Grain Legumes to Terminal Drought after Rice Harvest in Timor-Leste

In Timor-Leste, most paddy fields are abandoned after rice harvest due to limited water resources for another rice production cycle, particularly in lowland coastal areas. There is substantial scope for including legumes and other crops in the rice–fallow system in Timor-Leste. This study investigated the adaptation of grain legumes to terminal drought. The experiment was undertaken in 2018 and 2019 at field sites in Vemase and Laleia, respectively, on the northeast coast of Timor-Leste. The experiments used a split-plot design with two factors (water treatment and species) and three blocks (Vemase site) or four blocks (Laleia site). In 2018, the water treatments were well-watered control (W0), water withheld from flower initiation to maturity (W1), and water withheld after seedling establishment to maturity (W2). In 2019, the water treatments were well-watered control (W0) and water withheld from flower initiation to maturity (W1). Grain legumes were mungbean and soybean tested against grass pea (cv. Ceora), a well-known drought-adapted grain legume. The measured parameters included soil water content, crop phenology, plant growth and development, yield and yield components. The experiments revealed that mungbean is the most suitable grain legume crop after rice harvest under moderate drought conditions, while soybean is the preferred option under severe drought. Grass pea could be the best adaptive grain legume under severe drought in Timor-Leste when combined with the worsening conditions of climate change.

Comparative Physiology of Drought and Salinity Stress in Grass Pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) Seedlings

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of iso-osmotic potentials of drought and salinity on physiological parameters of grass pea seedlingsas well as to compare varietal responses.&#x0D; Study Design: Completely randomized design.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: In the years 2017-2018 and 2018-2019, laboratory research on grass pea varieties BK-14 and Pratik was conducted in the Department of Plant Physiology, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Nadia, West Bengal, India.&#x0D; Methodology: The effect of iso-osmotic potential of salinity and drought stress was studied using NaCl (50, 100 and 200 mM ) and PEG 6000 (10, 12 and 18%) solutions with -0.2, -0.4, and -0.8 MPa osmotic potential, and the experiment was carried out in sand culture using modified Hoagland solution under diffused light, at about 80±1% relative humidity (R.H.) and a temperature of 22±1oC. Data on different physiological and biochemical parameters were recorded after ten days of seedling growth in sand culture. Statistical analysis was performed on the mean data in all cases following completely randomized design (CRD) by application of INDOSTAT version 7.1 software.&#x0D; Results: The germination of grass pea seeds was more severely affected by drought stress than salinity. Both stresses had a negative impact on most of the parameters studied except for leaf proline and sugar The impact became more pronounced as the severity of the stress increased. The highest intensity of drought stress was found to be more detrimental to leaf protein and relative water content in BK 14, while Pratik was more drastically affected by the highest level of salinity. Drought was found to have a significant negative impact on leaf starch in both the grass pea varieties. The highest concentration of PEG led to a remarkable increase in leaf proline.&#x0D; Conclusion: The mild to moderate levels (-0.2 and -0.4 MPa) of stress did not produce much severe effects on the grass pea seedlings, but the highest intensity of stress with an osmotic potential of -0.8 MPa mostly produced drastic effects. There were varietal differences in response to two abiotic stresses. In general, drought stress was found to cause more negative effects on seedling than iso-osmotic potential of salinity stress.

​Effect of Irrigation Regimes and Phosphorus Fertilization on Water-use Efficiency, Phosphorus-agronomic Efficiency and Yield of Grass Pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) Ecotypes

Background: Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is a crop of immense economic significance. It is one of the most resilient to climate changes and to be survival food during drought-triggered famines. Methods: In a field study split factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with 3 replications were used, effects of irrigation regimes (50, 75 and 100% evaporation of Pan class A) and different rates of phosphorous fertilizer (triple superphosphate 0, 60 and 120 kg/ha) on growth and yield of two grass pea ecotypes (Lalehzar and Sharekord) in Lalezar area (Kerman province, Iran) was carried out during 2018 and 2019. Result: The results showed that drought stress reduced grass pea seed yield (401 kg/ha-1) and biological yield (863 kg/ha-1) and this reduction was depended on the severity of stress. In the other side, application of phosphorous fertilizer (60 kg/ha-1) increased grass pea yield (2401 kg/ha-1). This means that phosphorus fertilizer could partiaiiy offset the effect of drought stress and had a significant effect on the water use efficiency and phosphorus agronomic efficiency. Finally, drought stress, either no-application phosphorus fertilizer, could decrease yield. Overally, Shahrekord ecotype showed the higher and most desirable grain yield (2401 kg/ha-1), biological yield (5612 kg/ha-1), grain water use efficiency and biological water use efficiency, respectively, with (0.74 and 1.72 m3 water/ha-1) and phosphorus agronomic efficiency (18.76 kg yield/kg P) to the applied treatments (75% irrigation+ triple superphosphate fertilizer 60 kg/ha).

Tolerance of four grain legume species to waterlogging, hypoxia and anoxia at germination and recovery.

Legume seeds, when relay sown following rice, may suffer from soil waterlogging and the associated hypoxia or even anoxia. This study evaluated the tolerance of grain legume species, grass pea (three genotypes), lentil (two genotypes), faba bean (two genotypes) and field pea (one genotype), to soil waterlogging in a glasshouse, to anoxia and hypoxia in temperature-controlled room at germination and seedling stages. Changes in oxygen in the surface layers of soil, with time after waterlogging, were measured by microelectrode profiling. The soil profiling showed that soil oxygen declined and then stabilized by the fourth day after waterlogging and oxygen was not detected at 8 mm below the soil surface. Germination of seeds under waterlogging for up to 12 days and seedling survival after the soil was drained for up to 36 days were measured in pot experiments. Seed germination and/or survival in anoxia (N2-flushed solutions) and hypoxia (1.0 and 2.5 kPa oxygen) were evaluated, and so were post-anoxia or post-hypoxia recoveries, all in comparison with aerated controls. Lentil had higher seedling emergence (55 %) than the other species during soil waterlogging. However, lentil had lower seedling survival (9 %) than grass pea (28 %) during recovery following soil drainage. Grass pea seeds were more tolerant of anoxia and of hypoxia than the seeds of the three other species. In conclusion, grass pea, with higher percent germination and seedling survival during recovery, is more tolerant to waterlogging and subsequent soil drainage than the three other grain legume species. Grass pea was also more tolerant of hypoxia and of anoxia at the seed germination stage. These findings demonstrate the superior waterlogging tolerance of grass pea in relay sowing, as compared with the other grain legumes.

Interactions between Plants and Plant-Soil in Functionally Complex Mixtures including Grass Pea, Faba Bean and Niger, Intercropped with Oilseed Rape

Winter oilseed rape (OSR) can be grown intercropped with frost-sensitive service plant mixtures. This practice may reduce weed pressure and contribute to providing N for OSR after service plant freezing. However, there is little knowledge of how plants interact together and with the soil in diverse annual crop mixtures. To assess these interactions, two contrasting legume service plants were selected: faba bean and grass pea, as well as a non-legume, the niger plant. OSR and the legumes were then grown in mesocosms alone or intercropped in mixtures of two to four species. The biomass, N contents, N2 fixation, and soil substrate-induced respiration were measured. A single species mostly drove the total dry biomass and the amount of N accumulated by the cover, OSR and faba bean for dry weight and N contents, respectively. Grass pea was highly sensitive to competition with OSR, and its N2 fixation was lower than that of faba bean. The addition of niger did not lead to additional N2 fixation of legumes or total N accumulation and contributed to reducing OSR biomass. The specific composition of the plant mixture did not explain the soil microorganism activity.

Factors influencing household grass pea consumption and implication for lathyrism in Wollo Zone, Ethiopia

Owing to its unique nature and contribution to household food security, grass pea is among important legumes grown widely in many areas of the world, including Ethiopia. Nevertheless, it has severe consequences on human health (e.g. lathyrism) if consumed in large quantities over an extended period. In this context, this study analyzed the driving factors of household grass pea consumption and its implications on health, particularly the case of lathyrism. We used cross-section data collected from a random sample of 384 households in Northeast Ethiopia. To account for zero consumption of grass pea by households, Tobit model was applied. The results indicate that grass pea is an inferior food crop and its consumption decreases with an increase in household wealth, the number of livestock owned, and access to farm extension services. Moreover, households who perceive the threat of climate change tend to consume more grass pea compared to counterparts who do not perceive the threat. In contrast, household size and age of head are associated positively with grass pea consumption. The study indicates that lathyrism is a severe health problem in the study area, affecting about 3.6% of the sampled households. In light of these findings, federal to regional level government policymakers should target poverty reduction strategies to enhance the wellbeing of the local people and improve access to extension services. In particular, there is a need to increase awareness about lathyrism problem that arises from continued consumption of grass pea and encourage switching to substitute crops.

Formation of the leaf surface and productivity of the chickling vetch (Lathyrus sativus L.) depending on the amounts of mineral fertilizers and pre-sowing inoculation of seeds

The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of different amounts of mineral fertilization, bacterization of seeds on the leaf surface area formation and the chickling vetch (Lathyrus sativus) productivity. The study engaged six NPK fertilization amounts (0 – the check (control) without fertilizers, N15P15K15, N30P30K30, N15P30K30 + N15 (top dressing), N45P45K45 and N30P45K45 + N15 (top dressing) on two backgrounds of pre-sowing seed treatment (the control, water seed treatment, seed treatment with microbiological preparation Rizogumin, which contains a suspension of nodule bacteria Rhizobium leguminosarum 31 and physiologically active substances of biological origin). The leaf surface area was determined by the cutting method (in the phase of the first trifoliate leaf, budding, flowering, pod formation), which includes the selection of 15 plants, where the leaves are quickly cut off, weighed and their wet weight is determined. After that, cuts are made with a probe of a known diameter, 5 pcs. from every leaf. The mass of all cuts was determined. After determining the surface area of the leaves of each plant, the average plant area was calculated for each variant of the experiment. The average leaf surface area was multiplied by the number of plants per square meter, and the result was multiplied by 10000 to convert it to the average leaf surface area per hectare. The yield accounting was maintained by the method of continuous threshing from the registration plot by a selected combine harvester, with cleaning from impurities, weighing and determining the moisture content of the harvested grain. The maximum leaf surface area (60.8 thousand m2 ha-1) was in the phase of grain filling when N30P45K45 + N15 was added to top dressing and seed treatment with Rizogumin. In the absence of inoculation, the leaf area was 4.1 thousand m2 ha-1 less.

Green synthesis of magnetite nanoparticles using Lathyrus sativus peel extract and evaluation of their catalytic activity

Green synthesis is considered as a novel, rapid, and eco-friendly method for obtaining metallic nanoparticles (NPs). In this study, magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4-NPs) were successfully synthesized using Lathyrus sativus peel extract. The NPs were identified and characterized by visual observation, magnetic property, UV–vis spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy, Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The UV–vis spectrum showed board absorption without having any strong absorption peak, which confirmed the formation of Fe3O4-NPs. Spherical NPs with few agglomerations were noticed in the FESEM image. EDS spectrum showed the intensive peaks for elemental iron (6.398 keV) and oxygen (0.525 keV), which ascertained the formation of NPs. The XRD patterns affirmed the crystalline nature and the crystallite size of 17.72 nm. Based on the XRD data, the value of the lattice parameter was calculated to be 8.377 Å, which was close to the Fe3O4-NPs standards. FTIR analysis showed the characteristic peak at 587 cm−1, typical for Fe–O bond. The catalytic activity of Fe3O4-NPs for the reduction of methylene blue (MB) and methyl red (MR) dye was demonstrated by using UV–vis spectroscopy. It is expected that the synthesized Fe3O4-NPs could be a promising material to treat industrial wastewater via a profitable, sustainable, and eco-friendly approach.

The Effect of Alkali Stress on Seedling Development and Quality of Grasspea (Lathyrus sativus L.) Genotypes

Bu çalışmada, mürdümük (Lathyrus sativus L.) bitkisinin fide gelişimi üzerinde alkali stresinin etkileri incelenmiştir. Bitki materyali olarak iki adet yerel populasyon (1603 ve 4403) ile İptaş ve GAP Mavisi çeşitleri kullanılmıştır. Çalışmada alkali çözeltisi olarak sodyum karbonat (Na2CO3)’ın 5 farklı konsantrasyonu (0, 25, 50, 100 ve 150 mM) uygulanmıştır. Çalışma tesadüf bloklarında bölünmüş parseller deneme desenine göre 3 tekerrürlü olarak kurulmuştur. Çimlenme ve fide gelişim özellikleri saksı ortamında 25 °C sabit sıcaklık, 10 saat aydınlık-14 saat karanlık koşullarda ve % 70 nem içeren iklim odasında belirlenmiştir. Yetişme ortamı olarak bölgedeki tarım alanlarından alınan toprak kullanılmıştır. Denemede çimlenme hızı, çimlenme oranı, sürgün uzunluğu, kök uzunluğu, sürgün ve kök kuru ağırlıkları, ham protein ve ß-N-oxalyl-L- a, ßdiaminopropionic acid (ODAP) içeriği incelenmiştir. Sonuç olarak, alkali stresine karşı vermiş oldukları tepkiler bakımından genotipler arasında farklıklar olduğu belirlenmiştir. Alkali dozları kıyaslandığında ise, genotipler 50 mM alkali dozuna kadar olumlu cevap vermiş, 100 mM alkali dozu ile birlikte tüm özelliklerin olumsuz etkilendiği belirlenmiştir. Buna göre, çalışmada kullanılan tüm mürdümük genotipleri 50 mM alkali içeriğine sahip alanlarda yetişebileceğini göstermiştir.

Weed control efficacy of combined application of grass pea and mustard crop residues in T. aman rice

Among different methods of weed control, allelopathy could lead to reduced labor costs and increased efficiency, without any adverse effects on the environment. In this regard, an experiment was conducted at the Agronomy Field Laboratory, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh to evaluate the allelopathic potential of grass pea and mustard crop residues on weed suppression and crop performance of transplanted aman rice. The experiment consisted of three cultivars of T. aman rice viz., Binadhan-7, BRRI dhan49 and BR11 and five different level of crop residues such as no use of crop residues, grass pea crop residues @ 2.5 t ha-1, mustard crop residues @ 2.5 t ha-1, combined use of grass pea and mustard crop residues @ 1 t ha-1 of each and hand weeding. All crop residues applied in the experiment suppressed weed growth and inhibition at satisfactory level. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Weed population, weed dry weight and percent inhibition of weed were not significantly influenced by the interaction effect of crop residues (grass pea and mustard) and cultivars. BR11 produced the highest grain and straw yield among the treatment combination. The highest numbers of tillers hill-1, numbers of grains panicle-1, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, straw yield were observed in hand weeding, followed by combined application of grass pea and mustard crop residues @ 1 t ha-1 of each treatment. The highest grain and straw yield (4.81 t ha-1 and 7.65 t ha-1) was observed in hand weeding along with variety BR11 and the second highest (4.19 t ha-1 and 7.36 t ha-1) was obtained from combined use of grass pea and mustard crop residues @ 1 t ha-1 of each. The results of this study indicate that hand weeding followed by combined application of grass pea and mustard crop residues @ 1 t ha-1 of each showed potential activity to suppress weed growth.

Impact of foliar spray of nutrients and seed treatment on protein uptake and protein yield of lathyrus (Lathyrus sativus L.) under relay cropping system

An experiment was carried out during the Rabi season of 2016, to study the impact of foliar spray of nutrients and seed treatment on protein uptake and protein yield of lathyrus (Lathyrus sativus L.) Under relay cropping system at the Agronomy Research Farm of IGKV, Raipur.The experiment was laid out in Factorial Randomized Block Design with twelve treatments replicated thrice. highest cost of cultivation, gross return, net return and B:C ratio was found in treatment F5: 0.5% NPK (19:19:19) spray at branching and 15 days after 1st spray (11570.50, 29492.64, 18618.14, 1.712 Rs.ha-1, respectively), where as in case of seed treatment S2: seed treatment with Sodium molybdate @ 0.5 g kg-1 seed gave the maximum cost of cultivation, gross return, net return and B:C ratio (11308.17, 26475.39, 15583.39, 1.431 Rs.ha-1 , respectively).

Evaluation of indigenous grain legume collections

Grain legumes have positive impact on global food and nutrition security. Grain legume collections, maintained at the Institute of Plant Genetic Resources - Sadovo are represented by 10 botanical genera. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the phenotypic diversity of local accessions from five grain legume collections (Vicia faba, Pisum sp., Lathyrus sp., Cicer arietinum and Lupinus sp.) and to select the best ones with potential to be used under different agro-climatic conditions. The assessment of morphological and agro-biological traits was performed according to the International Descriptor for each crop. The structural elements of the yield, such as the number of pods and the mass of pods and grains per plant, grains size, etc. have a significant impact on the productivity of the grain legumes. The variability of agronomic and biological traits has shown high genetic diversity in evaluated grain legume collections and increased the possibilities for their use in the breeding-improvement activity. Based on phenotyping assessment several grain legume accessions were distinguished as starting breeding materials: from pea collection - two cultivars and two local populations; from chickpea collection - four populations; from faba bean collection – eight populations; from bitter vetch collection – two accessions; from grass pea collection - six genotypes; from white lupin collection – two accessions. The study of the materials from the collections was focused on the interests of researchers, breeders and producers.