Dwarf French Bean Research Articles

A Dwarf French Bean - Anisia


 Phaseolus vulgaris is one of the most important vegetables with high nutritional value consisting in proteins, iron, magnesium, folic acid and complex carbohydrates. The aim of this study was to obtained a dwarf french bean genotype with the following characteristics: yield and quality potential, earliness and extreme environmental conditions. The variety was obtained by repeated individual selection and now is submitted to the conservative selection program. For all agro-morphological characters, descriptive statistics were calculated. The pods of Anisia beans are yellow and have a simultaneous maturation, easing the harvesting process. The average weight of a pod at consumption maturity was 4.23 g. The yield potential of fresh pods varies between 18-20 t/ha. From our studies, Anisia cultivar is suitable for cultivation both organically and conventionally. The research has been completed with obtaining of a new variety of dwarf french bean that has been registered in the Official Catalogue of Romanian Crop Plants under the name ‘Anisia’. The variety has a distinct phenotypic expressiveness with a high yield and quality potential.

Effect of location on dwarf French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seed production and seedling vigour

ABSTRACTThis study examined if dwarf French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown at northern latitudes develop seeds with superior yielding potential compared with plants grown at more southern latitudes. Two lines (BND3085 and BND3106) were grown at four sites across latitudes ranging from 52°N to 3°S. BND3085 and BND3106 seeds from Saskatoon grown plants (52°N) had the least damaged seed coats but the highest degree of electrolyte leakage from the seed and the lowest maximum germination rates. The Saskatoon (BND3085 and BND3106) and Nunhem (BND3106) seed lots had the lowest maximum germination rates when germinated at 28°C, 12°C, or when exposed to saline (100 mM NaCl) conditions. Saskatoon BND3085 seed produced plants with the lowest aboveground vegetative and total seed dry matter as well as the lowest pod number per plant. In contrast, plants grown from Saskatoon BND3106 seed produced 1.5-fold more total pods, 1.3-fold more total pods and 1.4-fold higher seed dry matter per plant as compared to plants grown from the Nunhem (51°N) or Arusha seed sources. This resulted in a 2.4–4.5% higher harvest index. These results suggest cultivar-specific dwarf French bean seed propagation at more northern sites may increase the productivity of the resulting crop.

Potential for Using of Renewable Energy Sources for Irrigation at Small Agricultural Areas: Case Study Selnica Podravska, Croatia

Renewable energy sources are available for practical usage at almost every location in the world. Irrigation of the agricultural areas requires energy, where renewable energy sources are very appropriate for such usage. Very often agricultural areas are located on isolated and remote areas, where sometimes electric energy from electric grid is not available or it is too expensive. In this situation, renewable energy sources are very suitable for water pumping. This paper will present a real case study of possible application of renewable energy sources for water pumping at a family agricultural farm in Selnica Podravska, located in northern part of Croatia. There is a plan to build an irrigation system for Dwarf French bean (lat. Phaseolus vulgaris L.) for an area of 1978m2 . Available water resource is ground water. Particular renewable energy sources will be considered, as well as their potential for production of electric energy for water pumping.

Increasing Soil and Crop Productivity by Using Agricultural Wastes Pelletized with Elemental Sulfur and Bentonite

Core Ideas The natural fertilizer potential of agricultural and industrial wastes was investigated. Soil properties, seed germination, and plant metabolism proved their fertilizing properties. A specificity between fertilizers produced and plant species was really evident. Waste materials have many characteristics that can be useful to improve soil fertility and crop productivity. This study aims to investigate on recycling orange, olive wastes, elemental S residue to produce new and more efficient S‐enriched organic fertilizers. The fertilizer power of the different pads was first assessed in vitro on germination of three crop species (red onion [Purple Allium cepa L.], cayenne pepper [Capsicum annuum], and dwarf French bean [Phaseolus vulgaris L. bronco]) to individuate the doses to be used in pot experiements. In vitro tests showed that germination was stimulated by all treatments up to a concentration of 0.88 mg L−1. Pot experiments evidenced that pads of S‐bentonite plus agricultural wastes were more effective in lowering the pH of alkaline soils and in increasing the labile fraction of soil organic matter (SOM) than pads of S‐bentonite as such. The greatest beneficial effect on soil chemical properties was observed by using pad of S‐bentonite and orange wastes. Regarding crop productivity, all the species (red onion, cayenne pepper, and dwarf French bean) grew better in fertilized compared to unfertilized soils, and the best performance was observed in crop fertilized with S‐bentonite with agricultural wastes. A fertilizer specie‐specificity was also demonstrated, red onion and cayenne pepper grew better in the presence of S‐bentonite with orange waste, while red bean performance increased with S‐bentonite plus olive pomace. Agricultural wastes with S‐bentonite represent a new formulation of fertilizer able to generate a soluble zone of nutrients while minimizing leaching losses to the environment.

Hail net cover, cultivar and pod size influence the chemical composition of dwarf French bean

Dwarf French bean is cultivated in the open field, where unpredictable extreme weather events decreased crop yield quality. Hail net protection is therefore desirable. The pods are a rich source of sugars, organic acids and phenolic compounds and, as such, are an important nutritional vegetable. Due to consumer demand for half-sized pods in some traditional cuisines, the chemical profile of both pod sizes are desired. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of hail net covering on microclimatic conditions, specifically on light interception and temperature modification and, consequently, on the chemical profile of bean pods harvested in two sizes. The experiment was treated as a split–split plot designed three factorial experiment in four randomized replications. The main factor ‘covering’, had two levels, (hail net covered and uncovered plots); the sub-factor ‘cultivar’ had four levels, (‘Berggold’, ‘Re dei burri’ ‘Paulista’, ‘Top crop’) and the sub–sub-factor ‘pod size’, had two levels (half-size and full-size pods). Individual sugars and organic acids were analyzed, using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Total phenolic content was determined by spectrometry. Lighting was measured as the amount of photosynthetic active radiation (PAR). PAR under the hail net was reduced by 30–75% and mean daily temperature by 2.4°C in comparison with the control. Significant genotypic effect was confirmed for vitamin C, while sugars, organic acids and total phenolics are affected mostly by interaction of two or three factors. Higher vitamin C content was found in cultivars classified as anthracnose resistant (‘Berggold’ and ‘Paulista’) compared to not resistant cultivars (‘Re dei burri’ and ‘Top crop’). Covering decreased fructose, glucose and vitamin C contents. Total phenolics were decreased under hail net only in pods of green pod cultivar. Hail net also influenced the composition of individual sugars in yellow pod cultivars (‘Berggold’ and ‘Re dei burri’), with which sweeter pods were harvested, with a higher fructose/glucose ratio. Pod size also significantly affected all chemical compounds analyzed bean pods. Younger half-sized pods had higher fructose and glucose content, as well as malic and citric acids and also total phenolic content, compared to full-sized pods. On the other side, younger pods contain significant lower amount of vitamin C and sucrose compared to older pods. Significant genotypic variation connected with hail net covering observed within yellow pod cultivars, provides opportunities for the plant breeders to develop special genotypes for maximizing the nutraceutical value of bean pods under hail net production.

Effect of Different Production Systems on Chemical Profiles of Dwarf French Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Top Crop) Pods

The chemical composition of dwarf French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cv. Top Crop was compared among five production systems: conventional, integrated, organic, and biodynamic production systems and the control. Determination of sugars and organic acids was performed with a HPLC system, and identification of individual phenolic compounds using HPLC-MS. The chemical composition of the beans was unaffected by the production systems; however, the content levels of individual compounds were changed. The pods from integrated production contained the lowest levels of glucose and sucrose and the highest levels of catechin, procyanidin dimers, and a vanillic acid derivative. The control treatment, as well as organic and biodynamic productions, positively affected the levels of sugar content and caused a lower content of catechin and trans-p-coumaroylaldaric acids. Beans from the conventional production system contained the lowest levels of fructose, glucose, ascorbic acid, and many phenolics from various groups.

Factors affecting seed quality in dwarf French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) before harvest maturity

Factors affecting seed quality in dwarf French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) before harvest maturity

GROWTH AND YIELD COMPONENTS OF DWARF FRENCH BEAN GROWN UNDER IRRIGATION CONDITIONS

Dwarf French bean for processing can be sown in north-western Croatia from the beginning of May to mid July. Growing of French bean sown in summer, after winter or early-spring crops, may be risky in some years because of high air temperature and water deficiency in the soil. The aim of three-year investigations (1992 - 1994) was to determine the influence of irrigation upon growth parameters and yield components of dwarf French bean grown as secondary crop, after pea for processing has been harvested. French bean cv. 'Groffy' was sown on 14 July 1992 and 26 June 1993, and cv. 'Hystyle' on 30 June 1994. Irrigation influenced more uniform emergence, earlier flowering and a greater number of generative organs per plant. Crops grown without irrigation reached maturity 1 to 3.5 weeks later, depending on the investigation year. Depending on the climatic conditions prevailing in a particular investigation year, nonirrigated crops had 1.8 to 5.2 times more plants without a single processable pod than irrigated crops. Without irrigation, the overall plant height was by 17% to 36% lower while the height to the first pod by 16% to 44% lower. At the same time, under irrigation, the overall number of pods per plant was increased by 36% to 105%, number of processable pods per plant by 68% to 161%, and the average pod mass by 16% to 90%. Under irrigation, the pod yield per plant was 2.6 to 3.4 times higher, and the yield per unit area 1.6 to 4.5 times higher.

Enhanced leaf chlorophyll levels in plants treated with seaweed extract

Application to the soil of an aqueous alkaline extract ofAscophyllum nodosum resulted in higher concentrations of chlorophyll in the leaves of treated plants in comparison to control plants treated with an equivalent volume of water. Positive results were obtained with all species tested (tomato, dwarf French bean, wheat, barley, maize). When the seaweed extract was applied as a foliar spray, similar effects on leaf chlorophyll contents were obtained, except in the case of dwarf French bean plants, for which no significant difference was recorded between test and control plants. When the betaines present in the seaweed extract were applied as a mixture in the same concentrations as those in the diluted seaweed extract (γ-aminobutyric acid betaine 0.96 mg L−1, δ-aminovaleric acid betaine 0.43 mg L−1, glycinebetaine 0.34 mg L−1), very similar leaf chlorophyll levels were recorded for the seaweed extract and betaine treated plants. This suggests strongly that the enhanced leaf chlorophyll content of plants treated with seaweed extract is dependent on the betaines present.

The distribution of α-carotene in the photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes of higher plants

α-Carotene (β, ϵ-carotene) is a minor component of the chloroplast carotenoids in many plant species, but its location in the thylakoid pigment-protein complexes has never been established. It is now shown that in the dwarf French Bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris) the distribution of α-carotene in the complexes is strongly correlated with that of β-carotene, i.e. α-carotene is associated primarily with the photosystem I (PSI) and photosystem II (PSII) reaction centres, with only small quantities in the light-harvesting complexes.

Differential accumulation of plant defense gene transcripts in a compatible and an incompatible plant-pathogen interaction.

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and chalcone synthase catalyze the first reaction of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and the first reaction of a branch pathway specific for flavonoid-isoflavonoid biosynthesis, respectively. These enzymes are key control elements in the synthesis of kievitone, phaseollin, and related isoflavonoid-derived phytoalexins. RNA blot hybridization with 32P-labeled cDNA sequences was used to demonstrate marked accumulation of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and chalcone synthase mRNAs in excision-wounded hypocotyls of Phaseolus vulgaris L. (dwarf French bean) and during race-cultivar-specific interactions between hypocotyls of P. vulgaris and the partially biotrophic fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, the causal agent of anthracnose. In an incompatible interaction (host resistant), early concomitant accumulation of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and chalcone synthase mRNAs, localized mainly but not entirely in tissue adjacent to the site of infection, was observed prior to the onset of phytoalexin accumulation and expression of localized, hypersensitive resistance. In contrast, in a compatible interaction (host susceptible) there was no early accumulation of these transcripts; instead, there was a delayed widespread response associated with phytoalexin accumulation during attempted lesion limitation. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of [35S]methionine-labeled polypeptides synthesized in vitro by translation of isolated polysomal RNA demonstrated stimulation of the synthesis of characteristic sets of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and chalcone synthase isopolypeptides in directly infected tissue and distant, hitherto uninfected tissue in both compatible and incompatible interactions. Our data show that specific accumulation of plant defense gene transcripts is a key early component in the sequence of events leading to expression of defense responses in wounded tissue and in infected tissue during race-cultivar-specific interactions and that an elicitation signal is transmitted intercellularly in response to infection.

Differential accumulation of plant defense gene transcripts in a compatible and an incompatible plant-pathogen interaction.

Phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and chalcone synthase catalyze the first reaction of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and the first reaction of a branch pathway specific for flavonoid-isoflavonoid biosynthesis, respectively. These enzymes are key control elements in the synthesis of kievitone, phaseollin, and related isoflavonoid-derived phytoalexins. RNA blot hybridization with 32P-labeled cDNA sequences was used to demonstrate marked accumulation of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and chalcone synthase mRNAs in excision-wounded hypocotyls of Phaseolus vulgaris L. (dwarf French bean) and during race-cultivar-specific interactions between hypocotyls of P. vulgaris and the partially biotrophic fungus Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, the causal agent of anthracnose. In an incompatible interaction (host resistant), early concomitant accumulation of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and chalcone synthase mRNAs, localized mainly but not entirely in tissue adjacent to the site of infection, was observed prior to the onset of phytoalexin accumulation and expression of localized, hypersensitive resistance. In contrast, in a compatible interaction (host susceptible) there was no early accumulation of these transcripts; instead, there was a delayed widespread response associated with phytoalexin accumulation during attempted lesion limitation. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of [35S]methionine-labeled polypeptides synthesized in vitro by translation of isolated polysomal RNA demonstrated stimulation of the synthesis of characteristic sets of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and chalcone synthase isopolypeptides in directly infected tissue and distant, hitherto uninfected tissue in both compatible and incompatible interactions. Our data show that specific accumulation of plant defense gene transcripts is a key early component in the sequence of events leading to expression of defense responses in wounded tissue and in infected tissue during race-cultivar-specific interactions and that an elicitation signal is transmitted intercellularly in response to infection.

Seed vigour in cultivars of dwarf French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) in relation to the colour of the testa

SUMMARYDifferences in the field emergence of 30 commercial seed lots of dwarf French beans were associated with the colour of the testa, the 11 lots with a white testa having a lower mean field emergence of 67% compared with 91% for lots with black (11 lots) or brown (8 lots) testae. The white-seeded lots also had higher leachate conductivities (mean 42 μ S/cm/g) and imbibed more rapidly (an average 43% weight increase after 6 h imbibition) than black- or brown-seeded lots (average 25 μS/cm/g; 30% weight increase). The extent of damage to the testa which was slight in all lots was not related to differences in either the field emergence or rate of imbibition of the lots. In two successive imbibition cycles seeds of Provider (brown testae) took up water far more rapidly in the second imbibition (78% weight increase after 3 h) than the first (25% weight increase). The coloured testae normally adhere very tightly to the cotyledons but were loosened following the first imbibition leading to a more rapid uptake of water. The rapid imbibition of Tenderette (white testae) which has a loose fitting testa even in the dry seed was increased only slightly by a second imbibition. When seeds were imbibed from one end only from which the testa was removed Tenderette imbibed rapidly (90% weight increase after 12 h) whereas in Provider the tightly adhering testa limited the rate of water uptake (42% weight increase after 12 h) despite the ready access of water to the seed. It is suggested that the degree of adherence of the testa to the cotyledons is the major factor influencing the rate of imbibition of cultivars of dwarf French beans differing in testa colour and its role in determining seed vigour is discussed.

The Role of Imbibition Damage in Determining the Vigour of White and Coloured Seed Lots of Dwarf French Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

The Role of Imbibition Damage in Determining the Vigour of White and Coloured Seed Lots of Dwarf French Beans (<i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i>)

Glasshouse experiments on the uptake of foliar applied lead

The radioactive tracer 210Pb has been used to examine the foliar uptake and redistribution of lead in three plant species grown under glasshouse conditions for periods of 8–12 weeks. In radish a small amount (0.05–0.28%) of the lead applied to the leaf surfaces was transported to the swollen storage organ. This movement occured through intact and damaged cuticles, with an indication of an enhanced effect for damaged cuticles. Carrot plants absorbed and transported a fraction (0·43%) of the applied activity. By the end of the experiment this had reached the lower portion of the leaf petiole. Transport of lead to the tap root was <0·01% of that applied. In the case of dwarf French beans no movement of lead into pod or seed tissue was detected. It is estimated for radish that foliar absorption of lead and transport to the root could account for about 35% of the internal lead burden of root storage tissues. For carrot this pathway contributes about 3%.

Co-ordinated synthesis of phytoalexin biosynthetic enzymes in biologically-stressed cells of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Changes in the rates of synthesis of three enzymes of phenyl-propanoid biosynthesis in Phaseolus vulgaris L. (dwarf French bean) have been investigated by immunoprecipitation of [S]methionine-labeled enzyme subunits with mono-specific antisera. Elicitor causes marked, rapid but transient co-ordinated increases in the rate of synthesis of phenyl-alanine ammonia-lyase, chalcone synthase and chalcone isomerase concomitant with the phase of rapid increase in enzyme activity at the onset of accumulation of phenyl-propanoid-derived phytoalexin antibiotics in suspension cultures of P. vulgaris. Co-ordinate induction of enzyme synthesis is also observed in hypocotyl tissue during race:cultivar-specific interactions with Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, causal agent of anthracnose. In an incompatible interaction (host resistant) there are early increases apparently localized to the initial site of infection prior to the onset of phytoalexin accumulation and expression of hypersensitive resistance. In contrast, in a compatible interaction (host susceptible) there is no induction of synthesis in the early stages of infection, but a delayed widespread response at the onset of lesion formation associated with attempted lesion limitation. It is concluded that expression of the phytoalexin defense response in biologically stressed cells of P. vulgaris characteristically involves co-ordinate induction of synthesis of phytoalexin biosynthetic enzymes.

Phytoalexin Induction in French Bean

Treatment of hypocotyl sections or cell suspension cultures of dwarf French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) with an abiotic elicitor (denatured ribonuclease A) resulted in increased extractable activity of the enzyme l-phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. This induction could be transmitted from treated cells through a dialysis membrane to cells which were not in direct contact with the elicitor. In hypocotyl sections, induction of isoflavonoid phytoalexin accumulation was also transmitted across a dialysis membrane, although levels of insoluble, lignin-like phenolic material remained unchanged in elicitor-treated and control sections. In bean cell suspension cultures, the induction of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase in cells separated from ribonuclease-treated cells by a dialysis membrane was also accompanied by increases in the activities of chalcone synthase and chalcone isomerase, two enzymes previously implicated in the phytoalexin defense response. Such intercellular transmission of elicitation did not occur in experiments with cells treated with a biotic elicitor preparation heat-released from the cell walls of the bean pathogen Colletotrichum lindemuthianum. The results confirm and extend previous suggestions that a low molecular weight, diffusible factor of host plant origin is involved (in French bean) in the intercellular transmission of the elicitation response to abiotic elicitors.

Rapid induction of the synthesis of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and of chalcone synthase in elicitor-treated plant cells.

Changes in the rate of synthesis of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and chalcone synthase, two characteristic enzymes of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, have been investigated by direct immunoprecipitation of in vivo [35S]methionine-labelled enzyme subunits in elicitor-treated cells of dwarf French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Elicitor, heat-released from cell walls of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, the causal agent of anthracnose disease of bean, causes marked but transient increases in the rates of synthesis of both enzymes concomitant with the phase of rapid increase in enzyme activity at the onset of phaseollin accumulation during the phytoalexin defence response. Increased rates of synthesis of both enzymes can be observed 20 min after elicitor treatment and the pattern of induction of synthesis of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and chalcone synthase are broadly similar with respect to elicitor concentration and time, maximum rates of synthesis being attained between 2.5 h and 3.0 h after elicitor treatment. Within this overall co-ordination small but distinct differences between the enzymes were observed in: (a) the elicitor concentrations giving maximum enzyme synthesis, and (b) the precise timing of maximum enzyme synthesis, with that for chalcone synthase occurring 20-30 min earlier than that for phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. However, for a given rate of enzyme synthesis, induction of the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and chalcone synthase is more efficient at high elicitor concentrations. This may reflect the operation under certain circumstances of post-translational control of the activity levels of these enzymes as implicated for phenylalanine ammonia-lyase by previous density-labelling experiments [Lawton et al. (1980) Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 633, 162-175]. The same pattern of induction of enzyme synthesis is observed with elicitor preparations from a variety of sources.

Elicitor Induction of mRNA Activity

Changes in the activity levels of mRNAs encoding phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and chalcone synthase, two characteristic enzymes of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, in elicitor-treated cells of dwarf French bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) have been investigated by immunoprecipitation of [35S]methionine-labelled enzyme subunits synthesised in vitro in an mRNA-dependent rabbit reticulocyte lysate translation system. Elicitor heat-released from cell walls of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, the causal agent of anthracnose disease of bean, causes marked rapid increases in the polysomal activities of the mRNAs encoding the two enzymes concomitant with the phase of rapid increase in enzyme activity at the onset of phaseollin accumulation during the phytoalexin defence response. Increased polysomal mRNA activities encoding the two enzymes can be observed 30 min after elicitor treatment. The patterns of induction of the mRNA activities are broadly similar with respect to time and elicitor concentration although small but distinct differences between the enzymes were observed in the elicitor concentration giving maximum induction. There is a close correlation between the induction of polysomal mRNA activity and the induction of enzyme synthesis in vivo by elicitor treatment with respect to both the kinetics of induction and the dependence on elicitor concentration. The data indicate that elicitor stimulation of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and chalcone synthase synthesis in vivo is largely a result of increased polysomal activity of the mRNAs encoding these enzymes. Similar patterns of induction of polysomal mRNA activity are observed with elicitor preparations from a variety of sources. The marked increases in polysomal mRNA activities encoding phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and chalcone synthase are increases as a proportion of total cellular mRNA activity, indicating that elicitor does not increase these polysomal mRNA activities by stimulation of selective recruitment from the total pool of cellular mRNA.

Mass spectral studies of the metabolites of permethrin

A series of acetylated glycosyl esters of 3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid have been prepared and characterized by ammonia chemical ionization. Feeding experiments with 14C labelled 3-phenoxybenzyl alcohol and 3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane carboxylic acid, using plant tissue cultures of dwarf french bean have resulted in the identification using ammonia chemical ionization and LC/MS, of the glycosyl conjugates of these compounds in extracts from the cells and medium of the tissue culture.