Faba Research Articles

Application effects of NaCl substitute on the fermentation profile of Pixian douban (broad bean paste).

The effects of a reduced-salt substitute (composed of NaCl, sodium gluconate, KCl, L-histidine, and L-lysine) applied in the fermentation of traditional Pixian douban (PXDB) were explored in this study according to sensory quality, physicochemical characteristics, color, colony count, and the contents of free amino acids (FAAs), organic acids, and volatile flavor compounds. The results showed that the PXDB with a 15% salt substitution had the most attractive reddish-brown color, a mellow fragrance, and the lowest total colony count of the three pastes. The fermentation quality of the 15% salt substitute PXDB was superior to that of the control groups, its sensory quality was more readily accepted, and the contents of its amino acid nitrogen, FAAs and organic acids had increased by 0.1050, 0.3290, and 3.9068mg/g, respectively. Moreover, the concentrations of the main aroma compounds in the PXDB containing the salt substitute were higher than those of the control. These included phenylethanol, 3-methylthiopropanol, isoamyl alcohol, furfural, benzaldehyde, phenylacetaldehyde, nonanal, isoamyl aldehyde, 4-ethylphenol, and, particularly, 2,6-dimethylpyrazine, which had increased as much as 100 times. Correlation analysis showed that Glu, Phe, Tyr, Gly, Leu, Val, Asp, Ile, citric acids, and succinic acids were all positively correlated with the main aroma and contributed to the generation of PXDB's characteristic flavor, and main aroma substances in turn positively influence PXDB flavor sensory attributes. Overall, these results showed the application of the 15% salt substitute during PXDB fermentation improved the quality of the paste and, thus, would benefit the development of reduced-salt PXDB.

Overwintering conditions affect cold hardiness, survival, and post‐overwintering fitness of the pea leaf weevil

AbstractOverwintering conditions affect the physiological state of ectotherms, and therefore, their cold hardiness and survival. A measure of the lethal and sublethal impacts of overwintering conditions on pest populations is crucial to predict population dynamics and to manage pests the following spring. The impact of winter conditions can be most intense for invasive insects undergoing range expansion. Insect herbivores can display plastic host use behaviours that depend on their body condition following winter. The pea leaf weevil, Sitona lineatus L. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is an invasive pest of field peas, Pisum sativum L., and faba bean, Vicia faba L. (Fabaceae). Pea leaf weevil has expanded its range in North America to include the Prairie Provinces of Canada. This study investigated the effects of temperature and microhabitat on overwintering survival and cold hardiness of pea leaf weevil in its expanded range. Further, we investigated the sublethal effect of overwintering temperature and duration on post‐overwintering survival, feeding, and oviposition of pea leaf weevil. We also investigated the role of juvenile hormone in modulating body condition of overwintering weevils. The overwintering survival of pea leaf weevil adults increased with soil temperature and varied with region and microhabitat. More weevils survived winters when positioned near tree shelterbelts compared to open alfalfa fields. The supercooling point of pea leaf weevil varied throughout its expanding range but did not differ for weevils held in the two microhabitats. The average threshold lethal temperature of pea leaf weevil at all three sites was −9.4 °C. Weevils that overwintered for a longer duration and at a higher temperature subsequently fed more on faba bean foliage and laid more eggs compared to those which overwintered for a shorter duration at a lower temperature. Our findings highlight that warm winters would increase overwintering survival and post‐overwintering fitness, facilitating further pea leaf weevil invasion northward in the Prairie Provinces of Canada.

Investigation into the potential mechanism of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens in the fermentation of broad bean paste by metabolomics and transcriptomics

Pixian broad bean paste is a renowned fermented seasoning. The fermentation of broad bean is the most important process of Pixian broad bean paste. To enhance the flavor of tank-fermented broad bean paste, salt-tolerant Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain was inoculated, resulting in an increase in total amount of volatile compounds, potentially leading to different flavor characteristics. To investigate the fermentation mechanism, monoculture simulated fermentation systems were designed. Metabolomics and transcriptomics were used to explore Bacillus amyloliquefaciens' transcriptional response to salt stress and potential aroma production mechanisms. The results highlighted different metabolite profiles under salt stress, and the crucial roles of energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism, reaction system, transportation system in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens' hypersaline stress response. This study provides a scientific basis for the industrial application of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and new insights into addressing the challenges of poor flavor quality in tank fermentation products.

Oxidative replication stress induced by long-term exposure to hydroxyurea in root meristem cells of Vicia faba.

Low concentrations of hydroxyurea, an inhibitor of DNA replication, induced oxidative and replicative stress in root apical meristem (RAM) cells of Vicia faba. Plant cells are constantly exposed to low-level endogenous stress factors that can affect DNA replication and lead to DNA damage. Long-term treatments of Vicia faba root apical meristems (RAMs) with HU leads to the appearance of atypical cells with intranuclear asynchrony. This rare form of abnormality was manifested by a gradual condensation of chromatin, from interphase to mitosis (so-called IM cells). Moreover, HU-treated root cells revealed abnormal chromosome structure, persisting DNA replication, and elevated levels of intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide anion (O2∙-). Immunocytochemical studies have shown an increased number of fluorescent foci of H3 histones acetylated at lysine 56 (H3K56Ac; canonically connected with the DNA replication process). We show that continuous 3-day exposure to low concentrations (0.75mM) of hydroxyurea (HU; an inhibitor of DNA replication) induces cellular response to reactive oxygen species and to DNA replication stress conditions.

Introduction, spread and selective breeding of crops: new archaeobotanical data from southern Italy in the early Middle Ages

AbstractThis paper presents a summary of the record of the cultivated plant macroremains from southern Italy during the early Middle Ages, with a focus on the recent discoveries of crop remains in Sicily. These have shed light on the introduction of new plants in the central Mediterranean region at ca. 500–1100 ce. Specifically, we are dealing with the first evidence of the adoption of two new varieties of crops, one of flax (Linum usitatissimum cf. conv. mediterraneum) and the other of broad (or faba) bean (Vicia faba cf. var. equina) during the 8th century, a period of Byzantine domination, and also the introduction of exotic plants such as Solanum melongena (aubergine) and Gossypium herbaceum/arboreum (cotton) following the Islamic conquest. In some cases these developments were to have long term impacts, for example in Sicily with regard to cotton, which became an important cash crop there in the 13th century, and throughout southern Italy with regard to a new variety of Vicia faba (Vicia faba cf. var. major), which was grown in Puglia from the late Middle Ages onwards.

Broad bean (Vicia faba L.) caused abnormal lipid metabolism in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus) liver: Insight from the gut microbiota–liver axis

AbstractBroad bean (Vicia faba L.) has received attention from the food and animal feed industries as a sustainable, inexpensive, and versatile plant‐based protein source. However, long‐term consumption of broad bean, especially unprocessed ones, can lead to hepatic lipid accumulation. To investigate how broad bean affected hepatic lipid metabolism and its underlying mechanisms, we conducted a multi‐omics analysis of crisp grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus C. et V) model with hepatic steatosis after feeding with single broad bean for 120 days. The glycolysis inhibition, increased de novo lipogenesis, abnormalities in lipid metabolism, and activation of oxidative stress were the key processes involved in broad bean‐induced hepatic lipid accumulation. Disturbances in intestinal flora caused by damage to the intestinal barrier and increased lipopolysaccharide caused by broad bean promoted hepatic lipid accumulation. Reduction of antinutritional factors and balanced diet offer potential strategies to mitigate the liver damage caused by broad bean consumption. Overall, our findings provided a theoretical basis for the wide application of broad bean as animal feeds.

Comparison of Nutritional Diversity in Five Fresh Legumes Using Flavonoids Metabolomics and Postharvest Botrytis cinerea Defense Analysis of Peas Mediated by Sakuranetin.

Legumes possess several bioactive nutrients, including flavonoids, and the study of the flavonoid profile of legumes is of great significance to human health. Using widely targeted metabolomics, we revealed the flavonoid profiles of five popular fresh legumes: cowpea, soybean, pea, fava bean, and kidney bean. A total of 259 flavonoids were identified, and the flavonoid accumulation patterns of the five legumes were remarkably different. In addition to analyzing common and species-specific flavonoids in the five legumes, we also generalized representative flavonoids of various subclasses. We related these to the health-promoting effects of legumes. Furthermore, legumes' total flavonoid content and antioxidant system activity were also detected. Intriguingly, sakuranetin, the sole flavonoid phytoalexin that can be induced by UV radiation, was detected only in the peas by metabolomics. Meanwhile, we found that UV treatment could significantly increase the sakuranetin content and the postharvest Botrytis cinerea resistance of pea pods. This study provides clues for the target diet, industrial development of legumes, and a new idea for the postharvest preservation of peas.

Novel SNP markers for flowering and seed quality traits in faba bean (Vicia faba L.): characterization and GWAS of a diversity panel.

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is a legume crop grown in diverse climates worldwide. It has a high potential for increased cultivation to meet the need for more plant-based proteins in human diets, a prerequisite for a more sustainable food production system. Characterization of diversity panels of crops can identify variation in and genetic markers for target traits of interest for plant breeding. In this work, we collected a diversity panel of 220 accessions of faba bean from around the world consisting of gene bank material and commercially available cultivars. The aims of this study were to quantify the phenotypic diversity in target traits to analyze the impact of breeding on these traits, and to identify genetic markers associated with traits through a genome-wide association study (GWAS). Characterization under field conditions at Nordic latitude across two years revealed a large genotypic variation and high broad-sense heritability for eleven agronomic and seed quality traits. Pairwise correlations showed that seed yield was positively correlated to plant height, number of seeds per plant, and days to maturity. Further, susceptibility to bean weevil damage was significantly higher for early flowering accessions and accessions with larger seeds. In this study, no yield penalty was found for higher seed protein content, but protein content was negatively correlated to starch content. Our results showed that while breeding advances in faba bean germplasm have resulted in increased yields and number of seeds per plant, they have also led to a selection pressure towards delayed onset of flowering and maturity. DArTseq genotyping identified 6,606 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by alignment to the faba bean reference genome. These SNPs were used in a GWAS, revealing 51 novel SNP markers significantly associated with ten of the assessed traits. Three markers for days to flowering were found in predicted genes encoding proteins for which homologs in other plant species regulate flowering. Altogether, this work enriches the growing pool of phenotypic and genotypic data on faba bean as a valuable resource for developing efficient breeding strategies to expand crop cultivation.

Enhancing phenotyping efficiency in faba bean breeding: integrating UAV imaging and machine learning

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with high-resolution imaging sensors have shown great potential for plant phenotyping in agricultural research. This study aimed to explore the potential of UAV-derived red–green–blue (RGB) and multispectral imaging data for estimating classical phenotyping measures such as plant height and predicting yield and chlorophyll content (indicated by SPAD values) in a field trial of 38 faba bean (Vicia faba L.) cultivars grown at four replicates in south-eastern Norway. To predict yield and SPAD values, Support Vector Regression (SVR) and Random Forest (RF) models were utilized. Two feature selection methods, namely the Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) and sequential forward feature selection (SFS), were applied to identify the most relevant features for prediction. The models incorporated various combinations of multispectral bands, indices, and UAV-based plant height values at four different faba bean development stages. The correlation between manual and UAV-based plant height measurements revealed a strong agreement with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.97. The best prediction of SPAD value was achieved at BBCH 50 (flower bud present) with an R2 of 0.38 and RMSE of 1.14. For yield prediction, BBCH 60 (first flower open) was identified as the optimal stage, using spectral indices yielding an R2 of 0.83 and RMSE of 0.53 tons/ha. This development stage presents an opportunity to implement targeted management practices to enhance yield. The integration of UAVs equipped with RGB and multispectral cameras, along with machine learning algorithms, proved to be an accurate approach for estimating agronomically important traits in faba bean. This methodology offers a practical solution for rapid and efficient high-throughput phenotyping in faba bean breeding programs.

Amelioration of salt stress effects on the morpho-physiological, biochemical and K/Na ratio of Vicia faba plants by foliar application of yeast extract

Salinity is one of the most severe environmental stresses that negatively affects field crops’ development and biochemical properties on a widespread global scale. Consequently, aiming to reduce the negative impact of salinity on plants, the objective of the current work was to study the effect of foliar spraying with two doses of yeast extract (2 and 4 g/L) on improving the growth of Vicia faba plants under NaCl stress (100 mM). The recorded results indicated that 100 mM NaCl level significantly decreased all investigated growth metrics (shoot height, root length, number of leaves, leaf area, fresh and dry weights of shoot and roots). Likewise, concentration of chloroplast pigments and the contents of total soluble protein and sugars were reduced in salt stressed faba bean leaves. Nevertheless, data revealed that V. faba plants grown under NaCl stress and sprayed with yeast extract had better growth behavior than those unsprayed. It was found that yeast extract treatment had the ability to induce significant recovery for the reduction occurred in vegetative growth of V. faba plants which exposed to salinity stress by more enhancement of pigment, total soluble protein and sugars contents. Among the yeast extract doses, 2 g/L significantly improved plant growth, biochemical traits and exposed high Mg, K, P content and K/Na ratio in V. faba plants grown under saline stress. It was found that treating V. faba plants with yeast extract can significantly restore the loss of vegetative growth caused by salt stress.

Life cycle inventory and assessment of Canadian faba bean and dry bean production

Pulses are nutritionally beneficial and cost-effective food/feed products, and are also nitrogen-fixing crops that can improve the environmental sustainability of annual cropping systems when included in crop rotations – particularly with respect to GHG emissions. Canada is a major producer and exporter of pulses, therefore the goals of this study were to (a) develop regionalized life cycle inventories (LCIs) for Canadian faba and dry beans suitable for incorporation into public LCI databases and (b) conduct ISO 14044-compliant LCAs of Canadian faba, navy, pinto, and kidney beans at provincial, ecozone, and national scales. LCI data were collected via survey from ~200 Canadian faba and dry bean farmers.At the national scale of aggregation, faba beans had considerably lower impacts across all impact categories considered than the three dry bean types. This is due to their lower input requirements (particularly fertilizer), and higher nitrogen fixation capabilities. Among the three dry bean types considered, pinto beans had the lowest environmental impacts across most impact categories. Fertilizer production and field-level emissions from fertilizer use were the major contributors to the overall environmental impacts of the production of all bean types. In addition to differences between bean types, there were also differences within bean types, between regions of production and levels of regional aggregation. The results of the uncertainty analysis revealed that variability was lowest when aggregated at the ecozone level, based on soil and climate factors, and highest when aggregated to the national average. Taken together, these results demonstrate the utility of spatially-resolved LCI and LCA modelling that distinguishes between different types of pulse crops in order to accurately estimate impacts, and to support decision-making in pursuit of more sustainable food systems. Future research needs include more primary data on field-level biological nitrogen fixation and soil carbon fluxes, since these can significantly influence estimated environmental impacts.

Intercropping Maize with Faba Bean Improves Yield, Income, and Soil Fertility in Semiarid Environment.

Continuous adoption of improved maize varieties in the last three decades has changed farm landscapes from heterogeneity to maize homogeneity in semiarid areas of Ethiopia. This has substantially decreased maize productivity. Recently, farmers have integrated faba bean into maize-based farming systems aimed at increasing productivity. Yet, there is limited information on the effects of maize-faba bean intercropping on productivity and land-use efficiency. We studied the effects of maize intercrops with two faba bean varieties (Gora and Moti) at three different densities (25, 50, and 75%) of the recommended sole faba bean (250,000 plants ha-1) on yield, economic return, and some soil fertility indicators in Tigray, northern Ethiopia. Randomized complete block design with three replications was used for the experiment. The intercrops revealed that a significantly higher total grain yield, economic revenue, and land equivalent ratio (LER) over the sole cropping. Intercrops also showed higher soil organic carbon and total nitrogen compared to the preplanting soil and sole maize. Maize intercropped with the Gora faba bean variety at a density of 50% increased the total grain yields, economic return, and LER, respectively, by 13, 42, and 38% over the sole maize. The intercrop also increased soil total N by 55 and 22% compared to the preplanting soil and sole maize, respectively. Intercropping maize with faba bean significantly improved crop yield, income, land-use productivity, and some soil fertility indicators than either the sole maize or faba bean crop in the semiarid region of northern Ethiopia.

Foaming properties of plant protein blends prepared using commercial faba bean and hemp protein concentrates at different faba bean/hemp protein ratios

Faba bean and hemp protein blends offer potential for the formulation of plant-based products due to their complementary amino acid compositions. This study evaluated the chemical composition, particle size, protein solubility and foaming properties of four commercial protein concentrates (two faba bean-based: FBC1 and FBC2, and two hemp-based: HPC1 and HPC2) and their blends at different faba bean/hemp protein ratios. The concentrates consisted mainly of albumins and globulins, some of which could have suffered alterations during processing, especially in HPC2 and FBC2. Both FBCs and HPCs made proportional contributions to the protein solubility observed in the blends. However, FBC1:HPC2 blends consistently demonstrated smaller particle sizes across all investigated ratios than those predicted by linear interpolation. Foaming properties of the four concentrates were comparable, except for HPC2, which did not foam. FBC1:HPC2 blends formed stable foams, whereas FBC2:HPC2 blends resulted in unstable foams. These results suggested that foam-destabilising factors were dominant in HPC2, which were counteracted by foam-stabilising factors in FBC1 and/or dilution effects. FBC1:HPC2 blends exhibited early indications of synergistic interactions, enhancing foam properties. This study demonstrates the potential of faba bean and hemp protein blends for foam-based food applications and the importance of considering their extraction processing history.

In vivo protective effects of vitamin C against cyto-genotoxicity induced by Dysphania ambrosioides aqueous extract

Abstract Dysphania ambrosioides (L.) holds a prominent place in Moroccan folk medicine due to its therapeutic attributes. Despite its widespread use, instances of inadvertent intoxication linked to its consumption have been reported. This study aims to evaluate the potential cytogenotoxic effects of D. ambrosioides leaf aqueous extract (DAAE) and explore the prospective protective role of vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid) through the micronucleus test conducted on (1) Vicia faba root-tip meristem and (2) mouse bone marrow cells. In addition, antioxidant enzyme activities, specifically superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), were evaluated in V. faba treated with DAAE. After a 7-day daily administration of DAAE to mice, serum biochemical parameters (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatinine, and uric acid) were measured, and histological examination of liver and kidney tissues was performed. The results indicated that DAAE had dose-dependent cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on both biological models. Furthermore, V. faba treated with DAAE showed significant increases in the activities of SOD and CAT enzymes. Mice treated with DAAE exhibited significant elevations in serum biochemical parameters compared to the control group. Histological examination of liver and kidney tissues revealed hepatic degeneration, glomerular shrinkage, and distinct vacuolated tubular epithelial cells. The cotreatment with vitamin C demonstrated a significant protective effect against DAAE-induced cytogenotoxicity. These findings underscore the importance of vitamin C as a protective agent against oxidative stress and cytogenotoxicity induced by DAAE and recommend its use in any DAAE-based preparation.

Population structure and genetic diversity analysis in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) germplasm using SSR markers

In the present study, population structure and genetic diversity were studied among 100 faba bean germplasm lines along with three checks using 29 SSR (microsatellite) markers and morphological traits. ET218734, ET226572, and ET218734 genotypes exhibited maximum seed yield and high mean performance for various yield-attributing traits. The D2 statistics analysis grouped genotypes into five clusters. SSR marker analysis revealed, on average, 2 alleles per locus ranging from 2 to 3 among the studied genotypes. Polymorphic information content (PIC) for these markers ranged from 0.063 to 0.492 with an average of 0.37. Population structure analysis classified the studied genotypes into three major clusters. The Molecular Diversity Distance was found to be greatest among Cluster III and Cluster I (0.289), while the lowest was among Cluster II and Cluster I (0.148). The allele frequency divergence (expected heterozygosity) was found highest on Cluster II (0.164), and the lowest was on Cluster III (0.096).

The Effect of Three Depths of Mechanical Seed Drill (Gaspardo SC-250) on the Performance of Vicia Faba L. Bean for Yield Characteristics and Components

Current study was conducted on a farm in two sites: the center of Kirkuk Governorate and Hawija District, during the 2022–2023 agricultural season. It focused on two factors: the seeding depths of the Gaspardo SC-250 machine (at 2, 3, and 6 cm) and three varieties (local, Yildiz, and Aquadulce). The land was divided according to a randomized complete block design (RCBD) according to a split-plot system with three replicates. The study allocated the sowing depth factor to the main panels and the variety factor to the secondary panels. The findings showed a notable improvement in yield characteristics and components when sowing depths were increased at both sites. It was observed that the total yield of dry seeds was significantly influenced by sowing depths at both sites, with D3 showing superior results, producing 2074.91 kg/ha and 7854.71 kg/ha, respectively. We observed that the Aquadulce variety had the highest yield rate, producing 5503.64 kg/ha and 7441.37 kg/ha, respectively. There was a significant impact of sowing depths and varieties on this trait at both sites. Specifically, at the Kirkuk site, the Aquadulce variety had the highest yield at depth D1, with 8413.83 kg/ha. At the Hawija site, the Aquadulce variety outperformed the other varieties at depth D3, yielding 9863.83 kg/ha. This superior performance was attributed to the quality of its components, resulting in a significant increase in the final yield.

Comparative crop behavior of an assortment of broad bean (Vicia faba L.)

Comparative crop behavior of an assortment of broad bean (<i>Vicia faba</i> L.)

Performance of Some Faba Bean Genotypes (Vicia faba L.) and its Stability Using GGE-Biplot Analysis

Performance of Some Faba Bean Genotypes (Vicia faba L.) and its Stability Using GGE-Biplot Analysis

Genetical Identification of Salt Tolerant Rhizobium Strain isolated from Faba bean

Genetical Identification of Salt Tolerant Rhizobium Strain isolated from Faba bean

Selection of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inoculations from soils Chapada das Mesas with potential for promotion the growth of fava beans (Phaseolus lunatus L.)

The use of AMF can contribute to plant nutrition, reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and help with the ecological balance of agricultural crops. The research aimed to investigate the diversity of AMF in the soils of the Chapada das Mesas National Park (PNCM) and select species capable of promoting the growth of faba beans. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse, with six treatments and five replications. The treatments included soil without AMF inoculum (control), soil with Glomus spp., soil with Rhizophagus sp., soil from all areas collected at PNCM, soil with Roottela BR® and soil with corrected phosphorus concentration. The diversity assessment found that the pasture area presented a greater diversity of AMF species. The genus Glomus showed greater predominance in both phytophysiognomies. It was not possible to find a significant impact of AMF inoculation on the growth and productivity of faba beans. The study highlights the importance of further research to determine the time required for the establishment of AMF in faba bean roots and to evaluate the effectiveness of AMF inoculation on plant productivity in different crops and substrates, in addition to providing important data for studies of conservationists in the region.