Nutritional Traits Research Articles

Divergence for nutritional traits in cultivated and wild pigeonpea genotypes from India and Africa

AbstractThe untapped divergence of pigeonpea has remained unutilized for ages. Pigeonpea is an important natural resource with a great divergence that can be explored in the field of sustainable agricultural development. This study was undertaken to assess the nutritional divergence available in 104 cultivated and wild pigeonpea genotypes from India and Africa. Pigeonpea is studied to identify suitable genotypic groups to enhance nutritional traits for future breeding programs. Genotypes of pigeonpea exhibited highly significant differences in terms of seed iron and, zinc concentrations, protein content, phytic acid levels, lipid content, moisture content, fiber content and seed weight. Our D2 analysis grouped 104 different pigeonpea accessions into eleven clusters. Five of the eight characters including seed phytic acid levels, iron, fiber, lipid and protein contents were the predominant characters that contributed towards the pigeonpea's total divergence. Cluster II exhibited the maximum seed iron concentration. Cluster IV exhibited the maximum seed zinc concentration, lipid and moisture content; it exhibited the least phytic acid and fiber content which is desirable with regards to the bioavailability of iron and zinc. The accessions in clusters II, III, IV, V and XI are diverse and have desirable content levels of traits found beneficial for enhancing seed iron and zinc concentrations in pigeonpea. A D2 analysis revealed that Indo‐African C. cajan, C. platycarpus and R. rothii had the maximum mean seed iron concentration and R. bracteata had the maximum mean seed zinc concentration. The promising genotypes identified in the present study can contribute towards selecting suitable starting material for biofortification in pigeonpea improvement programmes.

Herbage and Silage Quality Improved More by Mixing Barley and Faba Bean Than by N Fertilization or Stage of Harvest

Legume–cereal mixtures are pivotal in yielding a more balanced forage composition compared to the sole crops, due to the well-adjusted equilibrium of carbohydrate and protein. However, great attention is required in choosing the optimal ratio of the components for the mixtures and other agronomic practices (including N fertilization and stage of harvest), because they can sharply change the forage composition and quality. To fill this gap, the present research compared the herbage and silage qualities and key fermentative and nutritional traits of biomasses obtained by: (i) five mixtures (i.e., 100:0; 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100) of hybrid barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and faba bean (Vicia faba var. minor); (ii) two N barley fertilization rates (0 vs. 140 kg N ha−1); and (iii) three stages of harvest (milky, early dough and soft dough). We found that the presence of faba bean improved the forage quality, either herbage or silage, through different mechanisms. In the herbage mixtures, faba bean inclusion increased crude protein (CP), and, when compared to the fertilized barley, also water-soluble sugar (WSCs) concentration, with small effects on the relative feed values (RFV) and total digestible nutrients (TDN). In the silage, the higher the faba bean share in the mixture, the higher the RFV, the non-fibrous carbohydrates, and total and lactic acid concentrations, and the lower the pH and the hemicellulose and cellulose concentrations, particularly at the early and mid stages of harvest. These improvements were likely due to the high ability of faba bean to attain a vegetative status (i.e., low dry matter concentration) by the end of the cropping season, and to improve the organic acid production. Our results suggest that the inclusion of faba bean in a barley-based silage system can widen the window for silage harvesting, thanks to its ability to sustain the fermentation process, despite a lower WSC to CP ratio compared to the unfertilized barley. These results occurred almost irrespectively of the faba bean share in the mixture and barley fertilization. This implies that when designing intercrop mixtures, the effect of crop densities on yield should be considered more than on quality.

A rapid, simple, and reliable assay to authenticate Peruvian kiwicha (A. caudatus) for food applications

Amaranth has acquired great economic impact as functional food, with species originating from Mexico dominating global trade. In contrast, the Peruvian A. caudatus (kiwicha) has been vastly neglected, although it is endowed with very promising nutritive traits. Morphological plasticity and taxonomic ambiguities render authentication of Amaranth difficult, such that the identity of commercial samples is often unclear. To safeguard the authenticity of kiwicha and, thus, consumer safety, we characterised a germplasm collection of 84 Amaranth accessions on both, the morphological and the genetic level. We show that kiwicha can be delineated phenotypically from other species by its late flowering, taller posture, and lower grain yields. Instead, flower and seed color, often used as proxy for identity, do not qualify as taxonomic markers. Using the plastidic barcoding marker psbA-trnH igs we were able to identify a specific Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) that separated kiwicha from all other species of Amaranth. This allowed us to develop a sequencing-free authentication assay using an Amplified Refractory Mutation System (ARMS) strategy. As a result kiwicha in commercial samples can be authenticated by a single duplex-PCR yielding a diagnostic side band reporting A. caudatus against all other species of Amaranthus. This fingerprinting assay will help to develop the nutritive potential of kiwicha and to safeguard seed material for A. caudatus against adulteration by the far more prevalent species from Mexico.

Analysis of Genotypic and Environmental Effects on Biomass Yield, Nutritional and Antinutritional Factors in Common Vetch

Vicia sativa L. (common vetch) is an annual legume species of high economic and ecological importance which is characterized by high nutritive value for animal feeding and its ability to adapt to various edaphic–climatic conditions. However, limited information is available about genotypic and environmental effects on agronomic, nutritional, and antinutritional traits of common vetch genotypes. Thus, in the present study, four advanced breeding lines and three commercial cultivars were evaluated for yield biomass, color assessment, fiber, crude protein (CP), and polyphenols in three locations (Spata, Larissa, and Thessaloniki) for two consecutive growing seasons (2018–2019 and 2019–2020). The effects of genotype, environment and their interaction (GXE) were significant for all the studied traits. The main source of variation for yield, color, CP, and polyphenols was the environment as it explained 71.5–89.7% of the total variation, whereas for the fibers content it was the GXE interaction. On the other hand, genotype had a much smaller effect on all the traits studied (2.9–16.6%). According to GGE biplot analysis, the ‘Alexandros’ cultivar was the most high-yielding and stable, whereas ‘Leonidas’ was the best performing in terms of nutritional and antinutritional traits. However, one advanced line combined high and stable yield biomass with high nutritive value, indicating the possibility for simultaneous improvement of both features.

Nutritional profiling and GIS-based grid mapping of Job's tears (Coix lacryma-jobi L.) germplasm

Thirty-two accessions of Coix lacryma-jobi belonging to different parts of North-Eastern India were taken from National Gene Bank at ICAR-NBPGR. Accessions were evaluated for nutritional traits and grid mapped to identify trait-specific germplasm and their geographic relationship. Proximate composition, total soluble sugars, total starch, total phytate in g/100 g, total phenol and antioxidant activity in % GAE, and minerals viz. iron, copper, zinc, and calcium in mg/100 g were estimated. Biochemical parameters like protein (15.9%), crude fat (4.66%), iron (13.6 mg/100 g), zinc (3.61 mg/100 g), and calcium (146 mg/100 g) have been recorded, which was higher than some members of its crop group. Principal component analysis revealed that the biochemical parameters such as starch, phenol, sugar, moisture, and antioxidants contributed significantly to generating diversity. Grid mapping for trait-specific germplasm revealed that high protein accessions could be collected from Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills and Arunachal Pradesh's Dibang valley; high iron and zinc content accessions from Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills; and low phytate content accessions from Nagaland-Manipur and Manipur-Myanmar border areas. IC0089381 and IC0416884 were identified as nutritionally superior accessions that can be used in breeding programs.

Nutritional quality traits of Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis): A sustainable aquatic food product available on Italian market all year round.

In this study, Mediterranean mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) coming from Italian production were purchased in the most important Italian wholesale fish market in different seasons. Biometrical parameters and chemical composition were investigated, with a particular focus on lipid quality and fatty acids (FAs) composition. Results showed a valuable nutritional profile independently by the season of production, represented by high protein and low-fat content, with the lipid portion represented by high amounts of beneficial FAs, particularly the long chain of the n-3 series. Some differences (p < 0.05) were found in carbohydrates and fat content of mussels edible tissues and in FAs profile of specimens collected in different seasons. The most favourable composition in terms of lipid quality was found in mussels collected during spring, corresponding to the moment of the year when mussels store energy reserves in the form of carbohydrates and fat (preparing for the spawning events) and when seawater is enriched in phytoplankton. The lipid health indices calculated (n6/n3, AI, TI) showed optimal values independently by the season of production. The outcomes obtained in this study could help supporting the appreciation of Mediterranean mussels as nutritional valuable seafood product, thus helping encouraging their consumption and promoting the appraisal of this farming sector essential for Italian aquaculture and related to low environmental impact.

Exploring the Genetic Variability and Potential Correlations Between Nutritional Quality and Agro-Physiological Traits in Kabuli Chickpea Germplasm Collection (Cicer arietinum L.).

Chickpea is an important source of plant-based protein and mineral elements such as iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn). The development of superior high-yielding germplasm with high nutritional value becomes central for any breeding program. Chickpea biofortified and nutrient-dense seeds can contribute to mitigate many human health problems associated with protein and micronutrients deficiency. In this study, 282 advanced chickpea lines were grown under field conditions to evaluate their agronomic performances and nutritional quality value. The trial was conducted under winter planting conditions during the cropping season 2017/2018 at ICARDA-Marchouch research station, Morocco. Results revealed high genetic variation and significant differences between the tested genotypes for all studied parameters. Under field conditions, the grain yield (GY) varied from 0.57 to 1.81 (t.ha–1), and 100-seed weight (HSW) ranged from 23.1 to 50.9 g. Out of the 282 genotypes, only 4 genotypes (i.e., S130109, S130058, S130066, and S130157) combined both good agronomic performances (GY, HSW) and high nutritional quality (protein, macronutrients, and micronutrients). Protein content ranged from 18.9 to 32.4%. For the whole collection, Fe content varied from 31.2 to 81 ppm, while Zn content ranged from 32.1 to 86.1 ppm. Correlation analysis indicated that the studied traits were significantly intercorrelated, with negative correlation between protein content and Zn concentration. Positive correlations were observed between grain filling time (F2M) and the micronutrients Zn, Cu, and Mn and macroelements K and Mg. Low positive correlation was also recorded between Pr and Fe concentrations. No significant correlation was observed between Fe and Zn. Positive correlations observed between main agronomic and nutritional quality traits makes easy any simultaneous enhancement when combining these traits.

Complex floral traits shape pollinator attraction to ornamental plants.

Background and AimsOrnamental flowering plant species are often used in managed greenspaces to attract and support pollinator populations. In natural systems, selection by pollinators is hypothesized to result in convergent multimodal floral phenotypes that are more attractive to specific pollinator taxa. In contrast, ornamental cultivars are bred via artificial selection by humans, and exhibit diverse and distinct phenotypes. Despite their prevalence in managed habitats, the influence of cultivar phenotypic variation on plant attractiveness to pollinator taxa is not well resolved.MethodsWe used a combination of field and behavioural assays to evaluate how variation in floral visual, chemical and nutritional traits impacted overall attractiveness and visitation by pollinator taxonomic groups and bee species to 25 cultivars of five herbaceous perennial ornamental plant genera.Key resultsDespite significant phenotypic variation, cultivars tended to attract a broad range of pollinator species. Nonetheless, at the level of insect order (bee, fly, butterfly, beetle), attraction was generally modulated by traits consistent with the pollination syndrome hypothesis. At the level of bee species, the relative influence of traits on visitation varied across plant genera, with some floral phenotypes leading to a broadening of the visitor community, and others leading to exclusion of visitation by certain bee species.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate how pollinator choice is mediated by complex multimodal floral signals. Importantly, the traits that had the greatest and most consistent effect on regulating pollinator attraction were those that are commonly selected for in cultivar development. Though variation among cultivars in floral traits may limit the pollinator community by excluding certain species, it may also encourage interactions with generalist taxa to support pollinator diversity in managed landscapes.

DETERMINING THE GRAIN YIELD AND NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION OF MAIZE CULTIVARS IN DIFFERENT GROWING GROUPS

Due to its adaptability to different climates, short growing period, high photosynthetic capacity and yield, maize is an important crop widely grown all over the world. This study was conducted to determine grain yield and some nutrition traits of 18 maize cultivars in Bilecik ecological conditions in 2019 and 2020 years. Experiments were carried out in randomized complete block design with three replications. There were significant (P

Nutritional diversity of Indian lablab bean (Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet): An approach towards biofortification

Worldwide prevalent malnourishment associated with human health could be improved by biofortification of climate-resilient vegetable crops through breeding strategies. Nutritional diversity of lablab bean accessions evaluated for nutritional composition and association among the traits. A core set of 54 cultivated accessions of lablab bean collected from different locations of Eastern ghats and scored for 10 nutritional traits which ranged as protein (0.81–5.92 g/100 g), vitamin C (2.49–7.87 mg/100 g), phenol (0.84–3.17 mg/g), calcium (3.45–39.51 ppm), iron (8.80–34.32 ppm), copper (1.10–11.88 ppm), manganese (4.14–26.27 ppm), zinc (25.3–57.5 ppm), phosphorous (16.24–50.21%) & potassium (8.65–75.19%) and exhibited substantial variability among genotypes and significant differences (p < 0.001) except vitamin C content. The genotypes IIHR-B-DB-52 and IIHR-B-DB-56 recorded the highest magnitude for micronutrients (iron; 34.32 ppm & zinc; 57.5 ppm) and protein; 5.92 g/100 g, respectively. The correlation studies among traits indicated the strong and significant association of zinc with copper (0.45) and iron (0.29) while potassium showed a moderate association with manganese (0.41), zinc (0.34), and calcium (0.33); therefore these traits may be targeted together for lablab bean improvement programs. The Principal Component analysis showed that the first 5 PCs explained 71.94% of total variability from evaluated genotypes and all nutrient traits contributed to overall genetic variations. These genotypes were segregated into five clusters which were observed neutral to nutrient traits dispersal and geographical distribution.

Evaluation of almond cultivars for the morphological, physiological, and nutritional traits under water deficit conditions

Evaluation of almond cultivars for the morphological, physiological, and nutritional traits under water deficit conditions

Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses of two peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) cultivars differing in amino acid metabolism of the seeds

Peanut is an important economic crop worldwide. The content of amino acids, especially essential amino acids, is an important nutritional quality trait of peanut seeds. However, the regulation of amino acid metabolism in peanut seeds is poorly understood. Here, two peanut cultivars, Zhonghuahei 1 and Zhongkaihua 151, with high and low free amino acids in mature seeds, respectively, were selected to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of amino acids during seed development. Zhonghuahei 1 is composed of significantly higher arginine (Arg), asparagine (Asn), and glutamate (Glu) contents than Zhongkaihua 151. However, the metabolomic analyses indicated that the contents of most amino acids were significantly lower in Zhonghuahei 1 at the early developmental stage, while they were reverse at the middle and late stages. Transcriptomic analyses also revealed that the differentially expressed genes between the two cultivars during different stages were enriched in multiple pathways associated with amino acid metabolism. Among them, the Arg biosynthesis pathway showed different regulatory profiles between the two cultivars according to the temporal analysis of gene expression patterns. Subsequent gene co-expression network analysis showed that the gene module darkorange was significantly correlated with Arg content, with an enriched Arg biosynthesis pathway. Accordingly, a gene regulatory network for Arg biosynthesis and metabolism, including key genes (ALDH, ASS1, OTC, and GAD) and transcription factors (GATA, HEX, and ATF), was constructed. These findings provide insights into the regulatory network of amino acid metabolism in peanuts and provide candidate genes that can be applied to facilitate peanut breeding with desirable seeds.

Genetic diversity analysis of East African sorghum (Sorghum bicolor [L.] Moench) germplasm collections for agronomic and nutritional quality traits

Breeding for climate-resilient, high-yielding, and nutrient-rich sorghum cultivars is essential for sustainable food systems and enhanced livelihoods in sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the genetic diversity among East African sorghum germplasm collections through agronomic and nutritional quality traits to select promising lines for direct production or breeding. A collection of 348 sorghum germplasm was field evaluated at two locations in Uganda using an augmented design, and grain iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) contents were profiled. Data were collected on 20 sorghum agro-morphological traits and Fe and Zn compositions. A significant (P ≤ 0.05) variation was detected amongst the test genotypes for all the assessed traits, suggesting the presence of sufficient genetic diversity for selection. High heritability (H2 > 0.60) and genetic advance as percent of the mean (GA >20%) were computed for grain yield, Zn content, and selected agronomic traits, ensuring genetic gains through selection. A significant positive correlation was recorded between Fe and Zn concentrations (r = 0.32, P < 0.001), allowing simultaneous selection for the two nutrient compositions. Cluster analysis based on phenotypic traits resolved the test sorghum genotypes into four distinct genetic groups. Six genotypes with superior agronomic traits and high Fe and Zn contents were identified for production or potential parents for quality breeding. Overall, the current study found considerable genetic variation among East African sorghum germplasm collections for strategic conservation and breeding in Uganda or similar agro-ecologies.

Geographical Variation in the Growth and Nutritional Traits of Leaf Powder from Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) L’Hér. ex Vent. from Different Provenances

Broussonetia papyrifera (L.) L’Hér. ex Vent., a perennial deciduous tree, is used in feed, medicine, papermaking, environmental protection, and ecological restoration. This paper ttook 33 provenances from the natural distribution as the research objects, observes their growth and nutritional traits, and analyzes the laws of geographical variation. The repeatability was 0.80–0.88 and 0.48–0.91, respectively. The correlation was significant (the correlation coefficient was 0.764). The variation is greatly affected by the latitudinal direction. Through clustering, the 33 provenances were clustered into 4 groups and most provenances with relatively close geographical origins were clustered together, showing differences between different geographical regions. Using leaf biomass (0.4662 g) and crude protein content (14.39%) as the selection index, the Sichuan Mianyang (SCMY), Chongqing Kaizhou (CQKZ), Shanghai (SH), and Fujian Nanping (FJNP) provenances were selected as fast-growing, high-yield, and high-quality paper mulberry provenances. This study provides the basis for the selection of excellent paper mulberry trees.

Genetic Determinants of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Adults of African Ancestry: Identification of the Associated Factors

ObjectivesH1: ADCYAP1R1, BDNF, CD36, HDAC4, NOS3, PON1, TCF7L2, TGFB1 were predominant in adults of African ancestry with or without T2DM. H2: There is a relationship between HBA1C, TG, LDL, FG, FI and genetic associations among adults of African ancestry and the following: H2a: ACGT risk alleles H2b: Chromosomal regions 2, 7, 10, 11, 19 H2c: Sequence variant impacts: intergenic, intron, missense, and synonymous H2d: Minor allele frequencies < .05 H2e: Lead reference SNPs H2f: Variant coordinates H3: ALDH1A1, B3GALT2, C8orf37, CASP16, CCSAP, CDKN2B, CHRNA5, CRNN, CYP7B1, FAT4, FOXP1, GPC6, GRM4, LMCD1, MMP19, MYOM2, NOL11, PHF8, RP11-180C1.1, SLC45A1, SLC9A8, TLE1, ZPLD1 were predominant in adults of African ancestry with peripheral vascular disease in T2DM.MethodsQuantitative assessment of secondary data in the Type 2 Diabetes Knowledge Portal comprising nutritional phenotypic traits (peripheral vascular disease, hemoglobin A1C, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, fasting glucose, fasting insulin) and genetic associations risk allele, minor allele frequencies, reference single nucleotide polymorphisms, candidate genes, chromosomal regions, variant coordinates, and sequence variation impacts) related to Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) among adults of African ancestry with or without Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus to understand T2DM hereditary disease risk.ResultsH1 Results: χ2 (126, n = 5,877) = 1228.713, p < .001 H2a Results: χ2 (20, n = 62) = 43.052, p = .002 H2b Results: χ2 (20, n = 62) = 106.969, p < .001 H2c Results: χ2 (15, n = 62) = 60.470, p < .001 H2d Results: χ2 (228, n = 60) = 210.000, p = .798 H2e Results: χ2 (240, n = 61) = 269.118, p = .095 H2f Results: χ2 (245, n = 62) = 273.529, p = .102 H3 Results: χ2 (264, n = 23) = 276.000, p = .293ConclusionsHereditary disease risks for Type 2 Diabetes nutritional phenotypes and genetic associations are distinct in adults of African ancestry with or without Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus diagnosis.Funding SourcesHoward University.

The arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Rhizophagus clarus improves physiological tolerance to drought stress in soybean plants

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is an economically important crop, and is cultivated worldwide, although increasingly long periods of drought have reduced the productivity of this plant. Research has shown that inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) provides a potential alternative strategy for the mitigation of drought stress. In the present study, we measured the physiological and morphological performance of two soybean cultivars in symbiosis with Rhizophagus clarus that were subjected to drought stress (DS). The soybean cultivars Anta82 and Desafio were grown in pots inoculated with R. clarus. Drought stress was imposed at the V3 development stage and maintained for 7 days. A control group, with well-irrigated plants and no AMF, was established simultaneously in the greenhouse. The mycorrhizal colonization rate, and the physiological, morphological, and nutritional traits of the plants were recorded at days 3 and 7 after drought stress conditions were implemented. The Anta82 cultivar presented the highest percentage of AMF colonization, and N and K in the leaves, whereas the DS group of the Desafio cultivar had the highest water potential and water use efficiency, and the DS + AMF group had thermal dissipation that permitted higher values of Fv/Fm, A, and plant height. The results of the principal components analysis demonstrated that both cultivars inoculated with AMF performed similarly under DS to the well-watered plants. These findings indicate that AMF permitted the plant to reduce the impairment of growth and physiological traits caused by drought conditions.

Biochemical and nutritional characteristics of some commercial banana (Musa spp.) cultivars of Kerala

Biochemical and nutritional traits of 6 banana (Musa spp.) cultivars commercially cultivated in Kerala, belonging to different genomic groups viz. Pisang Lilin (AA), Grand Naine (ABB), Nendran (AAB), Karpooravalli (ABB), Njalipoovan (AB) and Yangambi (KM-5) (AAA) were evaluated. Biochemical and nutritional characters on variables such as titratable acidity (%), total soluble solids (oBrix) (TSS), total protein (g), total carbohydrates (g), total fat (%), total ash (%), crude fibre (%), vitamin C (mg), calcium (mg), potassium (mg), total phenols (mg) and total carotenoid (µg) content were laid out in a completely randomized design and subjected to one way ANOVA to determine the significance (p=.05). The cultivar Nendran (AAB) exhibited desirable biochemical and nutritional traits, particularly for titratable acidity (0.34%), TSS (23.90oB), total carbohydrates (37.51g/100g), total ash (14.89%) and crude fibre (0.90%) content. Yangambi (KM-5) (AAA) exhibited the highest values for major minerals of banana, especially calcium (168.90 mg/100g) and potassium (406.60 mg/100g). The current study reveals biochemical and nutritional variation among banana cultivars from different genomic groups, with similarities and differences overlapping even among banana cultivars from the same genomic group.

Emmer Wheat Eco-Geographic and Genomic Congruence Shapes Phenotypic Performance under Mediterranean Climate.

Emmer wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. dicoccum) is one of the world’s oldest domesticated crops, and it harbors a potentially rich reservoir of agronomic and nutritional quality trait variations. The growing global demand for plant-based health-food niche markets has promoted new commercial interest in ancient grains, including Emmer wheat. Although T. dicoccum can also perform well under harsh environments, its cultivation along the Mediterranean agro-ecosystems is sparse. Here, we analyze a unique tetraploid wheat collection (n = 121) representing a wide geographic range of Emmer accessions, using 9897 DArTseq markers and on-field phenotypic characterization to quantify the extent of diversity among populations and the interactions between eco-geographic, genetic, and phenotypic attributes. Population genomic inferences based on the DArTseq data indicated that the collection could be split into four distinguished clusters in accordance with their eco-geographic origin although significant phenotypic variation was observed within clusters. Superior early vegetative vigor, shorter plant height, and early phenology were observed among emmer wheat accessions from Ethiopia compared to accessions from northern regions. This adaptive advantage highlights the potential of emmer wheat as an exotic germplasm for wheat improvement through breeding. The direct integration of such germplasm into conventional or organic farming agro-systems under the Mediterranean basin climate is also discussed.

Processing techniques alter resistant starch content, sugar profile and relative bioavailability of iron in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) kernels

The effect of processing techniques (soaking, roasting and microwave irradiation) on biochemical parameters of groundnut, especially resistant starch (RS) and non-resistant starch (NRS), along with phytic acid (PA), iron (Fe), PA/Fe molar ratio and sugars were studied. Changes in RS and NRS content after processing have not been reported yet. Roasting for 12 min at 160 °C caused an increase in RS (61.1 %) and NRS (67.2 %) content in the GAUG-10 genotype. Water-soaking of kernels for 8 h reduced the amount of PA and increased the amount of Fe and the molar ratio of PA/Fe. Processing techniques reduced sugar alcohols (inositol and mannitol) and stachyose content in groundnut kernels. Variation in nutritional and antinutritional traits of groundnut influenced by processing technique suggests a degree of genotypic tolerance.

Expression of Nutritional Traits in Vegetable Cowpea Grown under Various South African Agro-Ecological Conditions.

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.), a traditional legume food crop indigenous to Africa, has potential as both a vegetable and grain crop in contributing to dietary diversity to support health and address malnutrition, especially for those relying heavily on wheat, maize, and rice. The expression of nutritional traits (protein content and concentrations of iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and manganese (Mn)) in cowpea leaves was evaluated over diverse agro-ecologies of South Africa and typical agronomic practices of smallholder farmers. The genotypes evaluated displayed genetic variation for all four traits. The mean values of Fe, Zn, Mn and protein content varied from 33.11 to 69.03 mg.100.g−1; 4.00 to 4.70 mg.100.g−1; and 14.40 to 19.63 mg.100.g−1 and 27.98 to 31.98%, respectively. The correlation analysis revealed significant degree of positive association between protein and Zn (r = 0.20), while negative associations were observed between Mn and protein (−0.46) and between Mn and Fe (r = −0.27). Furthermore, the expression of these important nutrient traits was influenced by the climatic conditions represented by six environments (location by year combinations) as is typical of ‘quality’ traits. Additionally, genotype-by-environment interaction effects were detected, suggesting that local soil properties and soil health may play a role in nutritional content in plants, perhaps particularly for legume crops that rely on symbiotic relationships with soil bacterial populations to fix nitrogen, which is crucial to protein formation. Further studies are needed to understand how to coordinate and align agronomic and soil management practices in vegetable cowpea production, especially those workable for the smallholder farmer, to realize the full genetic potential and nutritional value of improved vegetable cowpea varieties.