Field Bean Research Articles

Use of dry bean fields by birds and mammals in Brazil: Insights from a field study and its use in pesticide risk assessment.

The relationship between agriculture and wildlife can be both synergetic and challenging, as the increased surface of agricultural land makes it increasingly important for agriculture and wildlife to coexist. This study aims to describe the use of freshly drilled dry bean fields by birds and mammals in Brazilian Cerrado and Atlantic Forest sites and their diversity and abundance within in-crop and off-crop areas (with native permanent vegetation and other surrounding crop fields) at four different farms. A comprehensive survey was conducted, using various sampling methods, including point counts, foraging counts, trail cameras, and occasional encounters. In all, contacts for 12 518 birds across 306 species and 313 mammals across 34 species were registered. The off-crop areas exhibited greater species richness, abundance, and diversity than the in-crop areas on all farms. For birds, 47 species were recorded in-crop, of which 15 were classified as insectivores, 15 as granivores, seven as omnivores, seven as carnivores, and three as frugivores. The number of in-crop observations per species was small. The abundance off-crop was greater for 31 species observed in-crop, indicating that dry bean fields are probably not a preferred habitat for those species. Species classified as granivorous are most likely to feed on dry bean seeds. However, almost all granivorous species observed in-crop areas are too small to be able to feed on dry bean seeds. For mammals, nine species were recorded in-crop, of which four were classified as carnivores, three as omnivores, one as insectivore, and one as granivore. Additionally, despite the considerable effort in this study, no evidence was found that birds and mammals feed on dry bean seeds. The results highlight the importance of off-crop areas in dry bean fields, characterized by a more diverse and abundant bird community than in-crop. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:864-874. © 2023 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

Nutrient Uptake and Economics of Field Bean as Influenced by Farmyard Manure and Bio-Digester Liquid Manure

Field experiments were conducted from 2010 to 2012 at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Mandya to study the nutrient uptake and economics of field bean as influenced by farmyard manure and bio-digester liquid manure. Soil was red sandy loam in texture, low in organic carbon (0.38%) and available nitrogen (215.5 kg ha-1), medium in available P2O5 (26.2 kg ha-1) and K2O (162.3 kg ha-1). The experiment was laid out using Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications and treatment consisted of three levels of FYM (5.0, 7.5 and 10 t ha-1) and four levels of bio-digester liquid manure equivalent (BDLME) to 20, 25, 30 and 35 kg N ha-1 and compared with recommended practice (FYM 7.5 t + 25:50:25 kg N:P2O5:K2O ha-1) and control. Significantly higher total nitrogen, P2O5 and K2O (92.3, 15.45 and 83.8 kg ha-1, respectively) were taken up by the crop when applied with FYM 10 t + BDLME to 35 kg N ha-1 which was on par with FYM 10 t + BDLME to 30 kg N ha-1 (91.0, 15.22 and 82.6 N, P2O5 and K2O kg ha-1, respectively) and recommended practice (96.0, 15.96 and 86.1). Higher net returns and B:C ratio (Rs 12,625 ha-1 and 1.78 respectively) were obtained with FYM 10 t + BDLME to 35 kg N ha-1 followed by FYM 10 t + BDLME to 30 kg N ha-1 (Rs 12,397 ha-1 and 1.80, respectively).

Neither sulfoxaflor, Crithidia bombi, nor their combination impact bumble bee colony development or field bean pollination

Many pollinators, including bumble bees, are in decline. Such declines are known to be driven by a number of interacting factors. Decreases in bee populations may also negatively impact the key ecosystem service, pollination, that they provide. Pesticides and parasites are often cited as two of the drivers of bee declines, particularly as they have previously been found to interact with one another to the detriment of bee health. Here we test the effects of an insecticide, sulfoxaflor, and a highly prevalent bumble bee parasite, Crithidia bombi, on the bumble bee Bombus terrestris. After exposing colonies to realistic doses of either sulfoxaflor and/or Crithidia bombi in a fully crossed experiment, colonies were allowed to forage on field beans in outdoor exclusion cages. Foraging performance was monitored, and the impacts on fruit set were recorded. We found no effect of either stressor, or their interaction, on the pollination services they provide to field beans, either at an individual level or a whole colony level. Further, there was no impact of any treatment, in any metric, on colony development. Our results contrast with prior findings that similar insecticides (neonicotinoids) impact pollination services, and that sulfoxaflor impacts colony development, potentially suggesting that sulfoxaflor is a less harmful compound to bee health than neonicotinoids insecticides.

Documentation of Viruses Infecting Lablab (Lablab purpureus L.) Beans in Tamil Nadu, India

Field surveys were conducted in lablab-bean growing areas of Tamil Nadu to document the occurrence and distribution of virus diseases. Samples collected from lablab bean field showed symptoms like bright yellow mosaic patches and puckering on leaves. The total DNA and RNA were isolated from the symptomatic samples separately. The DNAs were subjected to polymerase chain reaction using Begomovirus universal primers and the positive samples amplified 1200 bp amplicon. Similarly, the isolated RNAs were subjected to reverse transcription PCR using Potyvirus universal primers and which amplified 350 bp in preliminary confirmation of viruses. The amplified products were sequenced and the DNA sequences were compared with the sequences available in the NCBI database and the phylogenetic tree was constructed using Mega 11 software. The occurrence of viruses viz., Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV) and Dolichos yellow mosaic virus (DoYMV) were documented. The results indicated a higher incidence of Begomovirus, DoYMV with a mean incidence of 86 per cent followed by the Potyvirus, BCMV with an incidence of around 70 per cent.

Performance of maize (Zea mays) + field bean (Dolichos lablab) intercropping system under natural, organic and conventional farming practices

The present study was carried out at Zonal Agricultural and Horticultural Research Station, Babbur Farm, Hiriyur, Chitradurga, Karnataka during rainy (kharif) season 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 to study the productivity and economics of maize (Zea mays L.) + field bean (Dolichos lablab L.) (4:2) intercropping system under different farming practices. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four farming practices as treatments, viz. T1, Natural farming (NF); T2, Organic farming (OF); T3, Recommended package of practices (RPP) and; T4, Farmer practices (FP) with five replications. Results revealed that the recommended package of practices (RPP) recorded a significantly higher maize grain yield (6045 kg/ha), seed yield of field bean (538 kg/ha), maize equivalent yield (9625 kg/ha). Cost of cultivation in different farming practices indicated the lowest labour cost incurred in organic farming (₹25405/ha) and material cost in natural farming (₹14576/ha) as compared to other farming practices. Among the farming practices, lowest cost of cultivation was observed under natural farming (₹45436/ha) as compared to other farming practices. The gross returns (₹166471/ha) and net returns (₹109428/ha) were again significantly higher in RPP over other farming practices.

Determination of the Weed Species, Density and Frequency in Bean Fields in Bayburt Province

Bu çalışma Bayburt İli fasulye ekim alanlarındaki yabancı otların tespiti, yoğunlukları ve rastlama sıklıkları durumlarının belirlenmesi amacıyla 2020 yılında Bayburt Merkez, Aydıntepe ve Demirözü ilçelerinde yürütülmüştür. Çalışma yapılacak alanın çevresindeki ürün deseni göz önüne alınarak, farklı ürün desenlerinin bulunduğu bölgelerde çalışmalar alanın iç kesimlerinde 1 m²’lik çerçeveler kullanılarak yapılmıştır. Çerçeve içerisine denk gelen her bir yabancı ot için sayımlar yapılmıştır. Yapılan incelemeler sonucunda 1 tek çenekli (Monocotyledoneae) ve 15 çift çenekli (Dicotyledoneae) olmak üzere 16 familyaya ait 26 cinse mensup 26 yabancı ot türü belirlenmiştir. Bu yabancı otların yoğunluklarının 0.02 ile 5.29 bitki m-2 arasında değiştiği ve ortalama yoğunluğun ise 18.98 bitki m-2 olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Bayburt il bazında yapılan sürvey çalışmaları sonucu ortalama yoğunluk ve rastlama sıklığı bakımından en fazla türler sırasıyla Elymus repens (L.) Gould (5.29 bitki m-2; %68.46), Amaranthus retroflexus L. (4.50 bitki m-2; %66.65), Convolvulus arvensis L. (3.16 bitki m-2; %62.92), Chenopodium album L. (0.87 bitki m-2; %31.86) ve Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. (0.82 bitki m-2; %31.79) olup en az türler ise sırasıyla Setaria viridis (L.) P. Beauv. (0.07 bitki m-2; %5.67), Ranunculus arvensis L. (0.07 bitki m-2; %4.76), Chondrilla juncea L. (0.07 bitki m-2; %3.89), Vicia cracca L. (0.06 bitki m-2; %5.56), Boreava orientalis Jaub. and Spach (0.04 bitki m-2; %3.43) ve Isatis glauca Aucher ex Boiss. (0.02 bitki m-2; %1.54) olarak belirlenmiştir. Bayburt ili fasulye tarlalarında, birim alandan elde edilecek verimin artırılması için özellikle Elymus repens (L.) Gould, Amaranthus retroflexus L. ve Convolvulus arvensis L. gibi yabancı otlarla mücadele yapılması gerekmektedir. Bunun için yöreye adapte olmuş fasulye çeşitlerine önem verilmelidir.

Exploring deficit irrigation as a water conservation strategy: Insights from field experiments and model simulation

Deficit irrigation has emerged as a viable approach to increase agricultural water productivity. The objectives of this study were to 1) develop water conservation strategies by investigating responses of green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and sweet corn (Zea mays var. saccharata) to four irrigation treatments and 2) evaluate the performance of the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT) model in simulating growth and yield responses of green bean and sweet corn under four irrigation treatments. A field experiment was conducted using 32 experimental plots, established under a linear move sprinkler irrigation system equipped with variable rate irrigation (VRI) technology, at the Tropical Research and Education Center (TREC), Homestead for two cropping seasons between November and March in 2020–2021 and 2021–2022. The experiment involved four irrigation treatments: full irrigation (FI) (T4), and three levels of deficit irrigation, 75% FI (T3), 50% FI (T2), and 25% FI (T1) with four replications arranged in a completely randomized block design (RCBD) for each crop. The average soil moisture content of the full irrigation treatments was maintained above the management allowable depletion (MAD). Field data collection included various parameters of the crops including plant phenology, plant height, canopy width, fresh and dry biomass, and yield. Results confirmed that all three deficit irrigation treatments did not significantly affect the yield and yield components of the two crops during both seasons compared to the T4. This finding revealed that the highest crop water productivity was achieved from T1, 38.3 and 41.4 kg m−3 for green bean and 54 and 53 kg m−3 for sweet corn during the 2020–2021 and 2021–2022 seasons and up to 75% irrigation water saving could be achieved without affecting plant growth and yield. The DSSAT model performed well in simulating yield and yield components for the two crops in response to the four irrigation treatments. Model evaluation results showed that the minimum mean absolute error (MAE) for green bean fresh pod yield simulation was 2.1 Mg ha−1 with an index of agreement (d-Stat) of 0.6, while for biomass, it was 0.24 Mg ha−1 with a d-Stat of 1. Similarly, for sweet corn, the model simulated fresh cob yield with a minimum MAE of 6.51 Mg ha−1 and d-Stat of 0.9 and biomass with MAE of 1.63 Mg ha−1 and d-Stat of 0.9. Overall, implementing deficit irrigation in green bean and sweet corn fields could result in considerable water savings while achieving acceptable crop yield. The DSSAT model could be also a useful tool to simulate green bean and sweet corn responses to different irrigation scenarios and aid water management decisions under South Florida conditions.

Remediation of fomesafen contaminated soil by Bacillus sp. Za: Degradation pathway, community structure and bioenhanced remediation

Fomesafen is a diphenyl ether herbicide used to control the growth of broadleaf weeds in bean fields. The persistence, phytotoxicity, and negative impact on crop rotation associated with this herbicide have led to an increasing concern about the buildup of fomesafen residues in agricultural soils. The exigent matter of treatment and remediation of soils contaminated with fomesafen has surfaced. Nevertheless, the degradation pathway of fomesafen in soil remains nebulous. In this study, Bacillus sp. Za was utilized to degrade fomesafen residues in black and yellow brown soils. Fomesafen's degradation rate by strain Za in black soil reached 74.4%, and in yellow brown soil was 69.2% within 30 days. Twelve intermediate metabolites of fomesafen were identified in different soils, with nine metabolites present in black soil and eight found in yellow brown soil. Subsequently, the degradation pathway of fomesafen within these two soils was inferred. The dynamic change process of soil bacterial community structure in the degradation of fomesafen by strain Za was analyzed. The results showed that strain Za potentially facilitate the restoration of bacterial community diversity and richness in soil samples treated with fomesafen, and there were significant differences in species composition at phylum and genus levels between these two soils. However, both soils shared a dominant phylum and genus, Actinobacteriota, Proteoobacteria, Firmicutes and Chloroflexi dominated in two soils, with a high relative abundance of Sphingomonas and Bacillus. Moreover, an intermediate metabolite acetaminophen degrading bacterium, designated as Pseudomonas sp. YXA-1, was isolated from yellow brown soil. When strain YXA-1 was employed in tandem with strain Za to remediate fomesafen contaminated soil, the degradation rate of fomesafen markedly increased. Overall, this study furnishes crucial insights into the degradation pathway of fomesafen in soil, and presents bacterial strain resources potentially beneficial for soil remediation in circumstances of fomesafen contamination.

Effect of organic manures and bio-fertilizers on growth and quality of Indian bean [Lablab purpureus (L.) var. typicus

Indian bean (Lablab purpureus L. var. typicus) also known as Sem or Dolichos bean belongs to the family Fabaceae and originated from India. There are two types of cultivated species. viz, Lablab purpureus var. typicus is a vegetable type cultivated for its soft and edible pods and Lablab purpureus var. lignosus is the field bean cultivated for dry seeds as pulse. It is a multipurpose crop grown for pulse, vegetables and forage. This crop is mostly grown throughout tropical regions of Asia, Africa and America. In India, it is grown as a field crop in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala and Maharashtra. In India, it is grown in 230 thousand hectares area with an average production of 2278 thousand metric pods.

Linkages between Soil Acidity, Soil Plant Nutrients and Land Use on Ferralsols in Central Uganda

A study to examine the linkages between soil acidity, soil plant nutrients and land use on Ferralsols was carried out on smallholder farms in Central Uganda. The objective of the study was to assess the effect of soil pH on soil plant nutrient availability under the current land use. The study was carried out in Mpigi, Masaka, Wakiso, Mukono and Mubende districts representing Central Uganda. Soil samples were randomly collected from Coffee, Banana, soybean, common bean, maize and virgin fields in the five districts and the pH and plant nutrient analyzed accordingly. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant difference (p<0.01) on soil nitrogen, Calcium (p< 0.05) and Magnesium (p< 0.05). When treatment was assessed, the study showed significant difference (p< 0.01) on potassium. Besides, the study also showed high concentrations of Manganese (Mn) and Iron (Fe) in addition to very high sand and low silt and clay contents. The current land use for coffee production in Masaka district recorded the lowest soil pH (4.4) followed by annual fields (pH 4.60) in Mpigi. The highest soil pH (5.7) was recorded in banana fields in Mubende. The study also recorded very low to low N, P and K. Generally, the study observed rapid soil fertility decline in smallholder farms in the region.

Fungicide Sensitivity of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum from U.S. Soybean and Dry Bean, Compared to Different Regions and Climates.

Fungicide use is integral to reduce yield loss from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum on dry bean and soybean. Increasing fungicide use against this fungus may lead to resistance to the most common fungicides. Resistance has been reported in Brazil (Glycine max) and China (Brassica napus subsp. napus), however, few studies have investigated fungicide sensitivity of S. sclerotiorum in the United States. This work was conducted to determine if there was a difference in fungicide sensitivity of S. sclerotiorum isolates in the United States from: (i) dry bean versus soybean and (ii) fields with different frequencies of fungicide application. We further hypothesized that isolates with fungicide applications of a single active ingredient from tropical Brazil and subtropical Mexico were less sensitive than temperate U.S. isolates due to different management practices and climates. The EC50(D) fungicide sensitivity of 512 S. sclerotiorum isolates from the United States (443), Brazil (36), and Mexico (33) was determined using a discriminatory concentration (DC) previously identified for tetraconazole (2.0 ppm; EC50(D) range of 0.197 to 2.27 ppm), boscalid (0.2; 0.042 to 0.222), picoxystrobin (0.01; 0.006 to 0.027), and thiophanate-methyl, which had a qualitative DC of 10 ppm. Among the 10 least sensitive isolates to boscalid and picoxystrobin, 2 presented mutations known to confer resistance in the SdhB (qualitative) and SdhC (quantitative) genes; however, no strong resistance was found. This study established novel DCs that can be used for further resistance monitoring and baseline sensitivity of S. sclerotiorum to tetraconazole worldwide plus baseline sensitivity to boscalid in the United States.

Genetic Material as a Component of IPM for Vegetable Field Bean Pod Borer Complex

Genetic Material as a Component of IPM for Vegetable Field Bean Pod Borer Complex

Occurrence of Ascospores and White Mold Caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Dry Bean Fields in Alberta, Canada.

White mold caused by the fungal pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary is one of the most important biological constraints to dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production in Canada. Disease forecasting is one tool that could help growers manage the disease while reducing fungicide use. However, predicting white mold epidemics has remained difficult due to their sporadic occurrence. In this study, over the course of four growing seasons (2018 to 2021), we surveyed dry bean fields in Alberta and collected daily in-field weather data and daily in-field ascospore counts. White mold levels were variable and generally high in all years, confirming that the disease is ubiquitous and a constant threat to dry bean production. Ascospores were present throughout the growing season, and mean ascospore levels varied by field, month, and year. Models based on in-field weather and ascospore levels were not highly predictive of final disease incidence in a field, suggesting that environment and pathogen presence were not limiting factors to disease development. Rather, significant effects of market class on disease were found, with pinto beans, on average, having the highest disease incidence (33%) followed by great northern (15%), black (10%), red (6%), and yellow (5%). When incidence of these market classes was modeled separately, different environmental variables were important in each model; however, average wind speed was a significant variable in all models. Taken together, these findings suggest that white mold management in dry bean should focus on fungicide use, plant genetics, irrigation management, and other agronomic factors.

Assessment of Root Rot Pathogens of Common Bean (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) and Reaction of Genotypes to the Pathogens in West Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia

Common bean root rot caused by fungal pathogens is an important disease affecting common bean crops in Ethiopia. Information on pathogen identification, characterization, and management options is lacking for the Ethiopian bean production system. This study aimed to assess the major causal fungal pathogens and their management through host resistance methods. Initially, a field survey was conducted in three districts in 2016. It was cored forty-five (45) common bean fields. In the mean time, disease samples were collected for laboratory analyses. Secondly, pathogen identification and characterization were done in Laboratory at Haramaya University, followed by a pathogenicity test. Thirdly, a genotypic reaction was done on twenty common bean varieties by using four fungal genera (F. oxysporum, S. rolfsii, M. phaseolina, and R. solani) as experimental materials that were arranged in (CRD) design with three replications. Out of forty-five (45) common bean fields assessed 33 farms exhibited the disease. In the pathogenicity test, all the isolates were found pathogenic and showed a significant (p < 0.05) difference. In addition, the analysis of variance also showed that out of the tested twenty varieties, some released varieties (Dandesu, Tinike, SER-125, Dursitu, and Chorie), Chorie and (Dursitu, Chorie, Cranscope, Argene and SAB 632) showed highly significant at (p≤ 0.001) to Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. phaseoli, Sclerotium rolfsii, and Rhizoctonia solani while they didn’t exhibit any significant (p < 0.05) difference to Macrophomina phaseolina. In conclusion, those varieties showing resistance characters were recommended for growers.

Livelihood enhancement and resource use efficiency under lemongrass intercropping with food crops

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus L.) is an important multi-harvest aromatic grass that grows mainly in tropical and subtropical parts of the world. Wider plant geometry of lemongrass provides a better opportunity for intercropping at the crop commencement stage. Intercropping will restore and maximize resource use efficiency thereby it enhances productivity. A field experiment conducted during 2018–2019 at CSIR-CIMAP, Research Centre, Bengaluru with thirteen treatments: sole crop of lemongrass, pigeon pea, okra, finger millet, field bean, cowpea, soybean and intercropping of these crop species with lemongrass was followed under randomized block design with three replications. The results revealed that cowpea intercropping with lemongrass recorded higher herb yield (30.36 t ha−1) and oil yield (364.32 kg ha−1). Whereas, field bean intercropping performed better in terms of equivalent yield of lemongrass oil. Among different competition indices worked out to know the performance of the intercropping system, the indices to access biological efficiency such as LER (1.33), ATER (1.12), LUE (189.22%), LEC (0.33), SPI (38.27), percent land saved (24.87) recorded highest in lemongrass + okra intercropping system. Values of CR (1.57) and A (0.32) indicate the dominance of pigeon pea over lemongrass. Economic indices RVT (1.28), RNR (1.26), cost-benefit ratio (2.39) and net returns (5173 US $) were found highest in field bean which was closely followed by the okra intercropping system. Thus, intercropping of field bean or okra with lemongrass has the potential to increase the profit of the farmer with greater resource use efficiency.

Refining the metabolisable energy value of field beans for turkeys

ABSTRACT 1. This study examined the feeding value of ten UK grown field bean (Vicia faba L. var. minor) cultivar samples from the same harvest year on nitrogen corrected apparent metabolisable energy (AMEn) and nutrient retention coefficients when fed to young female turkeys. 2. A balancer feed (BF) was formulated to contain 12.39 MJ/kg ME and 269 g/kg crude protein. Ten nutritionally complete, mash diets were prepared by mixing 200 g/kg of each ground field bean cultivar with 800 g/kg of the BF, totalling eleven diets. Diets were fed to female BUT Premium turkeys from 40 to 50 d of age. Each diet was fed to eight raised floor pens, housing two birds, following randomisation. The AMEn was determined by the total collection technique over the last 4 d of the study. Relationships were examined between AMEn, chemical composition and quality variables of the field bean samples. 3. The overall determined AMEn value of the beans ranged from 7.72 MJ/kg DM to 9.87 MJ/kg DM, giving an average AMEn of 8.80 MJ/kg DM (P < 0.05). The soluble non-starch polysaccharide (NSP) content of the beans negatively correlated with their determined AMEn (r = −0.730; P < 0.05). Bean flour lightness-darkness degree (L*) correlated positively with the AMEn (r = −0.643; P < 0.05) 4. A positive correlation was observed between the degree of yellowness-blueness of bean flour and condensed tannins content (r = 0.696; P < 0.05). Step-wise regression indicated that soluble NSP + L* of field beans provided explanatory variables suitable for estimating the AMEn value for turkeys (r2 = 0.737; P < 0.05).

Partitioning pollination services to faba bean (Vicia faba L.) between managed honeybees and wild bees

Animal pollination of crops is an important ecosystem service provided especially by managed honeybees and wild bees, but the relative importance of these taxa for crop pollination remains debated. Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is a grain legume crop grown worldwide for food and feed which is partially dependent on insects for pollination. I determined the relative contribution of honeybees and wild bees to faba bean pollination. Visitation rates and foraging behaviours of pollinators were measured in a total of 20 faba bean fields over two years (10 fields per year) in Sweden, and the bean mass per flower visit for different pollinator taxa was quantified in a field experiment which was repeated over two years in a single site. By combining information on visitation rates, foraging behaviours and gains in bean mass from single visits to flowers, I estimate that 47% of insect pollination services to faba bean is delivered by honeybees, 40% by short-tongued bumblebees, 6% by long-tongued bumblebees and 8% by solitary bees. I conclude that both managed honeybees and wild bees, especially short-tongued bumblebees, contribute substantially to faba bean pollination in Sweden, and I recommend faba bean farmers to manage for both these pollinator taxa.

How do different functional crop groups perform in temperate silvoarable agroforestry systems? A Swiss case study

AbstractIntroductionAgroforestry systems provide a number of ecosystem services and are frequently considered as a promising diversification strategy for more sustainable and climate resilient primary production. However, most agroforestry field trials compare only one crop type with a control in open field. Additional comparisons between treatments that influence nutrient and water availability are often not looked at, nor are comparisons between crop species.Materials and MethodsTo deepen our understanding of the ecological processes underlying the potential benefits of agroforestry for food production, the present experimental study addresses three environmental factors (shade, fertilisation and irrigation) on three functionally different crop species (field bean, summer barley, summer rapeseed) and a C4‐grass (Echinochloa crus‐galli) in a Swiss agroforestry system. Crop performance (physiological traits, yield) between functional groups was analysed among treatment combinations of shade, fertilisation and irrigation. Physiological traits included measurements of chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance, specific leaf area and plant height.ResultsSummer barley and field bean showed significant yield declines when shaded (−44% and −38%, respectively), similar to summer rapeseed with a significant biomass decline (−35%). Shade significantly increased the occurrence of lodging in barley. Rapeseed in particular performed better when fertilised (+40% biomass).ConclusionThe results allow to estimate the range of potential yield losses in the competitive zone near mature trees for functionally different crop groups. The findings serve as a decision‐support for species selection in temperate European agroforestry systems.

Mathematical optimization of frost resistant crop production to ensure food supply during a nuclear winter catastrophe

This study aimed to estimate the optimal mix of frost resistant crops and land area needed to provide basic nutrition during various nuclear winter scenarios for New Zealand (NZ), a temperate island nation. It used linear programming to minimize land area required for cropping while producing enough food to achieve dietary energy and protein requirements for the whole population. The potential agricultural impacts of three nuclear winter scenarios on NZ, were sourced from the literature. The optimized combinations of frost resistant crops that were found to feed the entire population were, in descending order: wheat and carrots; sugar beet; oats; onions and carrots; cabbage and barley; canola and cabbage; linseed and parsnip; rye and lupins; swede and field beans; and cauliflower. But in terms of current production levels of these frost resistant crops in NZ, there would be a 26% shortfall for the “war without a nuclear winter” scenario and a 71% shortfall for the severe nuclear winter scenario (150 Tg of soot in the stratosphere with a 61% decline in crop yields). In conclusion, at current production levels, frost resistant food crops could not feed all NZ citizens following a nuclear war. There is a need for the NZ Government to conduct a detailed pre-war analysis on how these shortfalls are best addressed. For example, by: increased pre-war production of these crops and/or post-war scalability; growing enough frost sensitive crops (i.e., in greenhouses or the warmest parts of the country); and/or ensuring continuing production of food derived from livestock fed on frost resistant grasses.

Incidence of white mould of bean and characterization of its causal pathogen, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Kashmir valley, India

White mould caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum affects the quality and quantity of bean crop. The aims of this study were to evaluate the incidence and severity of white mould disease in four districts of Kashmir valley and to characterize the morphological variability of 60 Sclerotinia sclerotiorum isolates from bean plants. Three bean fields per village and five villages per district were chosen randomly for sampling. The highest incidence among surveyed areas was found in Ganderbal (37.94%) and lowest in Shupiyan (19.98%). The disease severity was highest in district Ganderbal (15.54%) and lowest in district Shupiyan (7.94%). Single spore method was used to isolate the fungus. Sixty isolates of the causal organism were isolated from bean plants collected from the surveyed areas and pathogenecity test was carried out following Koch’s postulates. Morphological characters of the different isolates, like number of sclerotia per Petri plate, time required for formation of the first sclerotium and average weight and shape of the sclerotia were studied. Among sixty isolates of S. sclerotiorum isolated from bean, it was observed that 25% of the isolates had abundant mycelium, 25% had irregular mycelium, half of the isolates had thin mycelium. 75% of the isolates had white colour and 25% had beige coloration. 25% of the isolates had a round shape, and 75% had a diverse shape. Sclerotia were detected in 50% of the cases in a regular pattern along the colony edge, 25% spread throughout the colony, and 25% in concentric circles. The mean number of sclerotia per colony ranged from 11.68 (SS55) to 32.32 (SS26). The mean number of days for formation of the first sclerotium ranged from 9.3 (SS30) to 17.7 (SS60). The average weight of sclerotia ranged from 0.0918 (SS58) to 0.2475 (SS21). The variation in disease incidence across different sites and the morphological variation of the isolates can be due to differences in genetic constitution as well as environmental conditions.