Perennial Legume Research Articles

Overexpression of MsNAC51 from alfalfa confers drought tolerance in tobacco

Drought universally affects the development of agriculture, forestry, and pasture industries and has received extensive attention from researchers. However, the molecular mechanisms of how alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), a widely cultivated perennial legume, defends against drought stress have remained unresolved. In this study, we identified a member of the NAC transcription factor family, MsNAC51, which was significantly induced under drought conditions in both the shoots and roots of alfalfa. MsNAC51 is localized in both the nucleus and the plasma membrane and is a transcriptional activator. Heterologous overexpression of MsNAC51 significantly enhanced drought tolerance in tobacco increased the accumulation of proline and peroxidase, and led to differential expression of a series of drought response-related genes. Further, we found that MsNAC51 could directly bind to the promoters of the proline synthesis gene MsP5CS and the reactive oxygen species scavenging gene MsPOD-P7, and promote their expression. These results suggest that MsNAC51 can enhance the drought resistance of tobacco and is a possible positive factor for drought resistance in alfalfa.

Results of sainfoin breeding in the Stavropol Territory

Modern Agricultural production is characterized by an increased need for specialized, highly productive, complementary varieties of feed crops adapted to specific natural and climatic conditions, grown using various technologies, for certain groups of animals. Among the perennial legumes in the south of Russia, sainfoin is in special demand. The purpose of the current study was to estimate the variety samples of various types of sainfoin and a new variety of Transcaucasian sainfoin ‘Kravtsov’ according to the main economically valuable traits and properties when used for feed and seeds. The study was carried out in the zone of unstable moisture in the Stavropol Territory. The soil of the experimental field was represented by low-humus micellar-carbonate medium loamy chernozem, with 3.2 % humus, 12 mg/kg phosphorus and 260 mg/kg potassium in the arable layer. The prevailing weather conditions during the research period made it possible to give a comprehensive estimation of the studied material. According to the results of Competitive Variety Testing, a variety sample of Transcaucasian sainfoin was selected from the studied three types of the crop, which, due to the results of the State Variety Testing in 2021, was included in the State List of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation with permission to use in all regions of the country. A new variety of Transcaucasian sainfoin ‘Kravtsov’ has a complex of such economically valuable traits as intensive spring and post-harvest regrowth, high foliage (42–45 % in the first cut, 52–57 % in the second cut), and resistance to unfavorable environmental factors. The plant height in the budding phase was 110–115 cm, which exceeded standard plants’ height by 10–15 %. The variety is highly resistant to drought and lodging, tolerant to diseases and pests. The variety is highly productive with 33.8 t/ha of green mass, 9.7 t/ha of hay and 1.1 t/ha of seeds. There is 17% crude protein in dry matter. 1000-seed weight is 23–25 g.

Effects of Organic Base Fertilizer and Inorganic Topdressing on Alfalfa Productivity and the Soil Bacterial Community in Saline Soil of the Huanghe River Delta in China

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is an important perennial legume forage that is cultivated in saline soil worldwide. This study aimed to clarify the effects of organic base fertilizer and inorganic topdressing on the productivity of alfalfa growing in saline soil. A three-year field study was conducted in which alfalfa was grown in the saline soil of the Huanghe River Delta with a control (no fertilizer) and three treatments: organic base fertilizer (Base), topdressing with urea fertilizer (Top), and combined base and topdressing fertilizers (BT). The productivity in the BT and Base treatments was 13.21 and 13.82 t·hm−2 in 3 years, significantly higher than that in the Top treatment and the control. The increased productivity in the BT and Base treatments were because organic matter promoted root growth of alfalfa seedlings in saline soil. The diversity of the soil bacterial community was not affected by the BT treatment, but the Base treatment increased the abundance of Acidobacteria, and the Top treatment increased the abundance of Gemmatimonadetes. Soil bacteria play an important role in improving the productivity of alfalfa growing in saline soil, and the mechanism by which soil microbes increase yield needs to be further studied.

Decade-long unsustainable vegetation management practices increase macronutrient losses from the plant-soil system in the Taklamakan Desert

Arid ecosystems are characterized by low availability and mobility of soil nutrients and slow geochemical cycles. Management of native vegetation in such ecosystems for fuel, livestock grazing, and other agricultural activities (burning and cutting) may threaten semi-natural communities due to the changes in nutrient cycles and soil fertility. Alhagi sparsifolia is a dominant perennial legume in the Taklamakan Desert of northwestern China and has been used as fodder for livestock and plays a crucial ecological role in stabilizing dunes in the oasis-desert ecotone. We evaluated the effects of long-term (12 years) burning and cutting of plant biomass on the mineral nutrition of A. sparsifolia and associated soils at two depths (0–50 and 50–100 cm) in the field conditions following the block design experiment. We found that burning effects tended to be restricted to the topsoil (0–50 cm), and the concentration of many micro-and macronutrients was increased. Burning was associated with a decrease in plant nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentration, whereas concentrations of other micro-and macronutrients increased; overall, burning reduced foliar stocks of N, P, and potassium (K). Annual cutting elicited smaller increases in soil mineral (total sulfur, total P, calcium, magnesium, and available P and K) concentrations than burning, and soil enzymatic activities increased. There were contrasting response patterns of leaf N and P concentration and macro-and micronutrients between the two management approaches. Burning and cutting reduced leaf N and P concentrations, while changes in root and shoot N and P concentrations depended on treatments. Thus, burning and cutting of A. sparsifolia impact organ nutrient stoichiometry (increased losses of macronutrients from arid plant-soil ecosystems) and nutritional quality (for feeding livestock), particularly due to predicted rises in extreme climatic events under climate change that are expected to increase risks of soil erosion, however, impacts on native trophic webs remain unclear.

Histological characteristics, cell wall hydrolytic enzyme activity, and transcriptome analysis with seed shattering of Stylosanthes accessions.

Stylosanthes spp. (stylo) are annual or perennial legume forages that are widely grown as forage and cover crops in tropical and subtropical regions. However, the seed yield of stylo is very low due to serious seed shattering. In the present study, we found that, although seed shattering was common among the stylo accessions, the shattering rates were genetically different. Therefore, we first synthesized the morphological, histological characteristic, physiochemical, and transcriptome analyses to determine the seed shattering mechanism in stylo. In general, the stylo germplasm with shorter lobules and thicker stems had a lower seed shattering rate and a higher seed weight. The seed and seed stalk joint is the abscission zone in stylo. Multiplex histology and hydrolytic enzyme activity analysis showed that the tearing of the abscission zone occurs due to the intense enzymatic degradation of polygalacturonase and cellulase in the seed shattering-susceptible accession TF0275. cDNA libraries from the abscission zone tissues of TF0041 and TF0275 at 14, 21, and 28days after flowering were constructed and sequenced. A total of 47,606 unigenes were annotated and 18,606 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected, including 9,140 upregulated and 9,446 downregulated unigenes. Furthermore, the 26 candidate DEGs involved in lignin biosynthesis, cellulase synthesis, and plant hormone signal transduction were found at all three developmental stages. This study provides valuable insights for future mechanistic studies of seed shattering in stylo.

Seedling establishment and early growth in Calobota sericea subjected to moisture stress

The South African perennial legume Calobota sericea (Thunb.) Boatwr. & B-E van Wyk has been shown to be drought tolerant as mature plants, but information on drought tolerance of seedlings is lacking. This study evaluated the impact of moisture stress on seedling emergence, survival and growth in C. sericea. In the first trial, pre-germinated seeds were planted at 100, 70, 50 and 40% of soil moisture holding capacity without additional watering. Seedling emergence and mortality was recorded daily for 14 days. In the second trial, seeds were allowed to grow under well-watered conditions for one month, after which moisture stress was imposed for 15 and 30 days. Thereafter, the seedlings were uprooted, for shoot and root measurements. Results from these trials show that C. sericea seedlings will establish even at severely reduced water-availabilities, but without subsequent watering, significant seedling mortality will occur. Calobota sericea seedlings displayed a range of morphological adaptive strategies to moisture stress including the minimisation of water loss and optimisation of water uptake. Further research into the impacts of regular cycles of moisture stress is needed to determine if changes in morphology due to prior moisture stress will result in improved adaptation to subsequent moisture stress.

Nitrogen transfer and yield effects of legumes intercropped with the perennial grain crop intermediate wheatgrass

Perennial grain crops are being developed to reduce the negative environmental impacts of tillage and chemical inputs related to annual row-crop agriculture. To further improve the ecological benefits of perennial grains like Kernza® intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) [ Thinopyrum intermedium (Host.) Barkw. & D.R. Dewey], intercropping with perennial legumes has the potential to diversify grain production systems and reduce mineral N fertilizer requirements; however, the facilitative vs. competitive effects of various legume species on perennial grain yields are unknown. We compared grain and biomass yields, tissue C:N ratio, and δ 15 N of IWG in response to either mineral fertilizer treatments or intercropping with one of six legume species at three locations for three years. IWG tissue C:N ratio increased through time at all sites suggesting a consistent increase in N limitation. Although no legume intercrop consistently affected grain yields through time or across sites, very rarely did an intercrop reduce grain yields to levels less than fertilized and unfertilized IWG monocultures. However, legume biomass in year 1 was negatively correlated with IWG grain yields in year 1, suggesting that negative effects of competition may outweigh positive effects of N fixation and transfer the year following establishment. The relationship between legume biomass and IWG grain yield became positive by year 3, indicating a potential lag in the positive effects of legume intercrop on grain yield. At one location, red clover ( Trifolium repens L.) biomass was higher than all other legume treatments in year 1 and declined through time, giving way to a subsequent increase in IWG biomass and grain yields through time. At this site, N transfer from legumes to IWG determined by δ 15 N was positive by year 3 for red clover and two other legume species. This study provides evidence that legume intercrops can benefit IWG production under certain conditions, but outcomes are site-specific and may depend on conditions related to soil N levels, temperature and precipitation patterns, and weed pressure. Research is needed to identify specific traits that promote legume coexistence and facilitation with IWG, and how these traits might rank in importance depending on environmental conditions. • Intermediate wheatgrass (IWG) grain yields were similar when intercropped with legumes compared to monocultures. • Total aboveground biomass increased with some legume/IWG intercrops compared with monocultures. • Nitrogen transfer from legumes to IWG was detected and varied by legume species. • Year 3 IWG grain yield was positively correlated to year 1 legume yield indicating a delayed effect of legume intercropping.

Creation of initial breeding material of red clover with high fodder qualities for conditions of Northern region

Red clover is the main perennial legume crop in the Northern region. The article presents the results of the competitive variety testing of accessions (2019 and 2021) on nutritional value and feed productivity. Amounts of crude protein, fat, fiber, sugar, ash elements and carotene were estimated in contrasting meteorological conditions. The research years had signifi differences in the sum of temperatures, precipitation accumulation and hydrothermal coeffi During regrowth-beginning of fl period of red clover, the hydrothermal coeffi was 2.2 in 2019, and 0.75 in 2021. The purpose of the research was to study the nutritional value and productivity of breeding samples of red clover and selection of promising ones for further breeding work. The prevailing role of weather conditions over the varietal features of samples was revealed. In the dry year 2021, the studied indicators of nutritional value (except phosphorus) were higher than in the wet year 2019. In terms of nutrient content, SD-326, K-17421, K-46524, K-44964, K-1939 were identifi signifi exceeding the standard or showing a result at the standard level for two or more chemical components. In terms of high nutritional value and protein yield, three samples reliably confirmed the excess over the standard on average for two years of testing: SD-326-1227 kg/ha (+ 130 kg/ha), K-17421-1308 kg/ha (+ 211 kg/ha), K-46524-1156 kg/ha (+ 59 kg/ha). The obtained results will be used in future creation of red clover cultivars with high nutritional properties and feed productivity.

197 Smart Foodscapes: Developing Functional Landscapes to Enhance the Sustainability Livestock Production Systems

Abstract Approximately six million beef calves are produced annually in the western U.S. alone, and ranchers must maintain profitable operations while addressing the growing number of consumers seeking environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable food. In response to these concerns, a diversity of deep-rooted perennial legumes and forbs with high nutrient content and the presence of functional biochemicals (e.g., phenolics, terpenoids) are proposed to be grown and stockpiled in “islands” across the landscape. These islands are then used as low-cost supplementation for beef cattle to enhance productivity and biodiversity while reducing environmental impacts. Thus, smart foodscapes emerge through landscape interventions that promote the establishment of resource patches that enhance cowherd health and decrease nitrogen and methane emissions to the atmosphere. In addition, the approach offers stakeholders adaptability to face not only uncertainties in forage productivity and feeding value caused by climate change, but also a tool to increase landscape connectivity and structural complexity in rangelands, enhancing ecosystem biodiversity and resilience.

Adaptation and indication of forage crops for agricultural production in sandy soils in western Bahia State, Brazil

The diversity of soils and climate in Brazil imposes the need to evaluate the adaptation of fodder species to soil and climate conditions to guide producers and technicians in choosing the best alternatives for their region. The objective of this study was to evaluate and identify fodder cultivars for pasture and soil cover with tolerance to drought and high production in the sandy soils of southern Bahia, Brazil. The performance of 29 commercial cultivars of perennial and annual tropical forage species was evaluated in six cuts in 2019 and 2020. The green and dry mass yield per cut and the daily dry matter accumulation rate were evaluated considering the periods of water surplus and deficit and the drought tolerance index for each cultivar was estimated. Grass and legume cultivars showed differences in establishment, yield in the water surplus, and in the re-establishment after the water deficit. Based on the values of the drought tolerance index and in the dry mass daily yields before and after the water deficit, the cultivars adapted and indicated for regional continuous grazing were Xaraés, Marandu, Massai, Tanzânia, Paiaguás, and Zuri, in that order. The grasses B. ruziziensis and B. decumbens were indicated for use as cover plants after the harvest due to their high capacity of establishment and short-term production. The annual and perennial legume plants were also indicated for cover, and the combination of cultivars and their potential for straw in direct planting or use in integrated systems still need to be validated.

Консервирование бобовых трав и бобово-злаковых травосмесей с новым биологическим препаратом

The results of testing a domestic experimental biological additive on perennial legume grasses are pre-sented in this article. High-quality silage was obtained with new preparation on active acidity, content and ratio of organic acids, ammonia, parameters of nutrient losses. The optimal dose of application was de-termined: at ensiling the basic types of legumes — 80 ml/t, for forage galega — 100 ml/t. Under scientific and production conditions the experimental biological additive was used for ensiling alfalfa-gramineous grass mixture, that was non-ensiling raw material. The enzyme-bacterial additive Acidphast NC GOLD, produced by ''Lallemand'' Company, and the Finnish chemical preparation AIV 3 PLUS were used as the controls. The high quality of silage with a new additive was revealed on the basic organoleptic and bio-chemical parameters in comparison to feed, prepared with biological additive Acidphast NC GOLD. Then the nutritional value of obtained silage in each variant was determined in physiological experiments at feeding Romanov`s rams-valukhi when used as the only feed with addition of mineral supplements. A higher digestibility of crude fiber and fat in feeds with biological additives was found. The energy nutri-tional value of the silage with the experimental additive was 9.6 MJ metabolizable energy per 1 kg of dry matter versus 9.5 and 9.4 in feeds, prepared with Acidphast NC GOLD and chemical preservative AIV 3 PLUS respectively. Our investigations proved the high effectiveness of the experimental sample of new enzyme-bacterial additive at preservation of different species of legume grasses.

Locations of seed abortion in response to defoliation differ with pollen source in a native perennial legume herb.

In many flowering plants, flowers contain more ovules than fruits have seeds. What determines which ovules become seeds? When photosynthates are limited, as may happen when plants lose leaf area to herbivory, fewer fertilized ovules become seeds. Greenhouse-grown ramets of distinct individuals of a perennial herbaceous legume were manually defoliated to various levels determined in the field, then self- or cross-pollinated. For each seed produced, we recorded its position in the fruit and its mass. From a subset of seeds from different treatments and positions in the fruits, we grew seedlings and measured their dry mass. Ovules were aborted more frequently in fruits from flowers that were self-pollinated and from those on plants with higher levels of defoliation. Ovules in the basal portion of the fruits were more likely to be aborted than those at the stigmatic end; this pattern was most pronounced for fruits after self-pollination with high levels of defoliation. Total number of seeds produced and seed mass per pod were greatest in cross-pollinated fruits after no or low levels of defoliation. Mean individual seed mass was greater for fruits with fewer seeds, indicating a trade-off between seed number and seed mass. Seedling dry mass (a measure of vigor) was greatest for seeds in the middle positions of fruit produced by cross-pollination after severe herbivory; no positional differences were seen for seeds from self-pollinated fruits. Observed locations of seed abortion may have been selected not only by defoliation, but in part by propensity for dispersal, while positional differences in seedling vigor may be related to seed size and differential maternal allocation based on pollination treatment and leaf area lost.

Influence of biological intensification on the balance of sod-podzolic soil nutrient elements in field crop rotations

The studies were carried out in the Kirov region on sod-podzolic sandy loam soil in a long-time stationary experiment established in 1976. The article provides data (2010-2017) on four fallow-grain-grass crop rotations with various types of fallows, annual and perennial legumes (25-50 %), intercrops (12.5-37.5 %). The purpose of the studies is to compare the influence of some biologization techniques in eight-field crop rotations on the change in soil fertility and the balance of nutritional elements of sod-podzolic sandy loam soil. It is found that the application of low doses of mineral fertilizers (N30P30K30) and various types of green manure crops per rotation has significantly increased the content of mobile phosphorus in the arable soil layer (by 39-46 mg/kg). According to grouping the provision of soils with phosphorus, the content of this element passed into the «high provision» group. The content of exchangeable potassium in the soil remained in the «increased» provision group. In the control crop rotation with clean fallow at a minimum supply of nutrients with mineral fertilizers and root-stubble residues, the balance of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium was created negative at the intensity of less than 100 %. The replacement of clean fallow for cropped and green manure fallows, as well as the introduction of intermediate cruciferous crops into the crop rotation structure contributed to the positive balance of nitrogen (250.2-484.3 kg/ha) with the intensity of 124-150 %. The biologization factors used in crop rotations favored the creation of a positive phosphorus balance (12.5-148.1 kg/ha) with the optimal intensity of 117-163 % and a positive potassium balance (128.9-395.8 kg/ha) with the intensity above the optimal value of 116-148 %. The most advantageous in terms of productivity and ensuring a positive balance of nutritional elements is crop rotation with two green manure fallows and sowing of stubble and hay cruciferous crops in three fields.

Identification of loci controlling timing of stem elongation in red clover using genotyping by sequencing of pooled phenotypic extremes

Main conclusionThrough selective genotyping of pooled phenotypic extremes, we identified a number of loci and candidate genes putatively controlling timing of stem elongation in red clover.We have identified candidate genes controlling the timing of stem elongation prior to flowering in red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). This trait is of ecological and agronomic significance, as it affects fitness, competitivity, climate adaptation, forage and seed yield, and forage quality. We genotyped replicate pools of phenotypically extreme individuals (early and late-elongating) within cultivar Lea using genotyping-by-sequencing in pools (pool-GBS). After calling and filtering SNPs and GBS locus haplotype polymorphisms, we estimated allele frequencies and searched for markers with significantly different allele frequencies in the two phenotypic groups using BayeScan, an FST-based test utilizing replicate pools, and a test based on error variance of replicate pools. Of the three methods, BayeScan was the least stringent, and the error variance-based test the most stringent. Fifteen significant markers were identified in common by all three tests. The candidate genes flanking the markers include genes with potential roles in the vernalization, autonomous, and photoperiod regulation of floral transition, hormonal regulation of stem elongation, and cell growth. These results provide a first insight into the potential genes and mechanisms controlling transition to stem elongation in a perennial legume, which lays a foundation for further functional studies of the genetic determinants regulating this important trait.

Estimation of economic and biological traits of the alfalfa initial material in the south of the Rostov region

Alfalfa is a perennial legume that plays an important role in feed production. The high demand for alfalfa all over the world, including the Russian Federation, results in the necessity to develop new high-yielding varieties with high quality feed. The purpose of the current study was the morpho-biological analysis of 198 alfalfa collection nursery samples (sown in 2018) and the identification of sources of useful economic and biological traits in comparison with the standard variety ‘Rostovskaya 90’ (Russia). The study was conducted in 2019-2021. Based on the study results there have been identified the following sources of useful traits: Pickstar (Canada), Saranac A.R. (USA), G118/13 (Russia); according to plant height (105-107 cm); Caraveli (Peru), Saranac A.R (USA), Liska (Ukraine), Sarga, G 19/13, G 144/13, Selection 5, Sin 6, Sin 36/95 (Russia) according to foliage (over 50 %); Selection 79, Uralochka, G-3, G-5, Donskaya 5, G 97/13, G 8/13, G 73/13 (Russia); according to green mass productivity (4.83-5.79 kg/m2 ); Saga (Canada), Selection 6, Sin 1, d. 14813, G-2, Sin 36/95, Selection 33, Selection 34, d. 4576 (Russia) according to dry matter content (over 29 %); Sarga (Russia), Karlygash and Aliya (Kazakhstan) according to crude protein content (over 21 %). The identified samples will be used as parental forms in alfalfa breeding for feed productivity.

ЕКОЛОГО-ЕКОНОМІЧНА ТА БІОЕНЕРГЕТИЧНА ОЦІНКА ТЕХНОЛОГІЙ ВИРОЩУВАННЯ ПШЕНИЦІ ОЗИМОЇ ПІСЛЯ БОБОВИХ БАГАТОРІЧНИХ ТРАВ

Topicality. The economic crisis requires modern winter wheat cultivation technologies based on the principles of financial feasibility, energy saving and environmental safety. Issues. Changes in animal husbandry have led to the differentiation of fodder crops, which are used as predecessors of winter wheat. Now, other types of perennial legume grasses are grown along with its traditional predecessor meadow clover. However, it is necessary to carry out research and calculations due to the lack of results of the ecological, economic and bioenergy feasibility of non-traditional perennial legume grasses as predecessors of winter wheat. Aim. To investigate the indicators of ecological, economic and bioenergy efficiency of winter wheat cultivation after six species of perennial legume grasses as predecessors, such as meadow clover, alfalfa, sand esparcet, white sweet clover, bird's-foot-trefoil, eastern galega, and also after the maize for silage (control). Methods. Field studies with subsequent calculation of economic efficiency of winter wheat cultivation based on technological charts and costs, as well as the energy efficiency of the technologies under study according to the methods of O.K. Medvedovskyi, P.I. Ivanenko and VASKHNIL were conducted. Results. The highest grain yield was 6.52 t/ha when winter wheat was cultivated after maize for silage with high rates of mineral fertilizers and pesticides. When winter wheat was cultivated after perennial legume grasses, the rates of mineral fertilizers and pesticides were significantly lower. Accordingly, the grain yield of winter wheat grown after perennial legume grasses was by 11.1–38.2 % lower than after silage maize, and it was 4.03–5.80 t/ha. The highest grain yield was observed after meadow clover, and the lowest – after bird's-foot-trefoil. The highest level of profitability (90.7 %) is provided by the cultivation of winter wheat after the predecessor meadow clover. When winter wheat was grown after such predecessors as meadow clover, white sweet clover, sand esparcet and eastern galega with limited rates of pesticides and mineral fertilizers, the level of profitability was 5.7–46.8 % higher than indicator for winter wheat after silage maize with high rates of mineral fertilizers and pesticides At the same time, winter wheat profitability after bird's-foot-trefoil and alfalfa equaled to the indicator for silage maize. Conclusions. The technology of winter wheat cultivation after meadow clover, which provided the highest energy coefficient 4.96, is the most profitable and the least energy-intensive. Key words: economic assessment, bioenergy assessment, cultivation technology, winter wheat, predecessors.

Exploitation of neighbouring subsoil for nutrient acquisition under annual-perennial strip intercropping systems

Little is known how the deep root systems of perennial crops contribute to deeper and better resource use when intercropped with annuals in arable fields. Therefore, we aimed at measuring the capacity of deep-rooted perennials, alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and curly dock (Rumex crispus L.) to access nutrients located under neighboring annuals at 1.0 and 2.5 m of soil depth. Alfalfa and curly dock were able to access the tracer sources (15N and Cs) placed at a distance farther than 0.4 m under the annual crop strips. As a result, the reliance on deeper soil layers for nutrient uptake by the crops grown at the borders became greater compared with the crops grown in the mid-strips. Combination of an annual cereal (winter rye) and a perennial legume (alfalfa) having contrasting root systems exhibited higher resource complementarity compared with intercroppings having more similar root systems or in the absence of legumes. Our results demonstrated that the deep-rooted perennials, when intercropped with annuals, can induce vertical niche complementarity, especially at deeper soil layers. This was assumed to be due to the differences in rooting depth and deep root activity the crop components, however, the magnitude of the effects depended on choice of crop combinations, and on types of tracers used in the study.

The use of non-traditional legumes in the production of high-protein feed on irrigation

The article presents the results of research on the perennial legumes various types modern varieties attracting and adapting to the conditions of the Lower Volga region. The experiments were carried out on irrigated light chestnut soils. The completeness of the studied grasses seedlings was at the level of the traditional culture of purple hybrid alfalfa or slightly lower than its indicators. The creation of optimal growing conditions contributed to the formation of the maximum assimilation surface on the grasses sowing. In the second year of life, the leaf area by crops varied from 43 - 45 to 57 - 62 thousand m2/ha. The highest indices were in alfalfa and blue hybrid alfalfa and meadow clover. On these crops, the yield of green mass was formed at the level of 75 - 88, on the crops of birdsfoot trefoil and creeping crown vetch it was 62 - 65 t/ha. The qualitative indicators of the biomass of the studied legumes corresponded to the high requirements for the assessment of feed. The content of feed units in a kilogram of dry matter was 0.62 - 0.68, digestible protein - 120 - 171, and metabolizable energy - 9.7 - 10.3 MJ. Leguminous herbs improve soil fertility due to the nutrients contained in the accumulated root mass. After three years of use, from 142 to 240 kg of nitrogen, 60 to 90 kg of phosphorus and 80 to 145 kg of potassium enter the soil along with the organic matter.

PERFORMANCE OF THE DACTYLIS GLOMERATA L. SPECIES IN THE CONDITIONS OF A.R.D.S. LOVRIN

The Dactylis glomerata L. species is found in a spontaneous state in the meadows of Romania. It is an essential component in the composition of simple mixtures with alfalfa and complex mixtures along with other grasses and perennial legumes. The manifestation of agrobiological characteristics in Dactylis glomerate L. is characterised by complexity and variability, influenced by technology, soil, and climatic conditions that vary inherently in space and time. The research was focused on the knowledge of the agro-biological characteristics and production capacity of the species Dactylis glomerata L. in correlation with local conditions. The research was carried out at Agricultural Research-Development Station of Lovrin and as a biological material the cock's-foot genotype LVDG1 was used, the culture has been established in the Autumn of 2020. Biometric measurements were made on the main agro-biological characters until the first scythe was harvested as a green mass feed. Research shows that all parameters analyzed have the same tred, in both experimental years, with small variations, the differences being attributed to the lack of uniformity of precipitation, the temperature not being a restrictive factor. In the case of the experimental site, the characteristics and type of variation of the decadal quantities of atmospheric precipitation, expressed by the modified Angot index (km), show that in the range of 1.01 to 31.05. 2021, the decades with a pluviometric surplus prevail, with large differences compared to the same period of 2022, which is also found in the externalization of the characters in cock's-foot. The rainfall in the year 2021 contributed to a better expression of vegetative parameters, including the production of green mass at the first scythe. Hence, in 2021 was the highest production of green mass at the first scythe of 25 t.ha -1.

Activity guided isolation and characterization of bioactive constituents from Mucuna pruriens

There are roughly 150 species of annual and perennial legumes in the genus Mucuna, which belongs to the Fabaceae family, subfamily Papilionaceae. The velvet bean Mucuna pruriens is widespread in tropical and sub-tropical parts of the world, and is one of the many undervalued wild legumes. Velvet bean, Florida velvet bean, Bengal velvet bean, Mauritius velvet bean, Yokohama velvet bean, cowhage, cowitch, lacuna bean, and Lyon bean are some of the other frequent names for this unusual plant. Atmagupta, which means "hidden self," and Kapikacchu, which means "one begins scratching like a monkey," are two Sanskrit names for it. Levodopa, often known as L-dopa, is found in high amounts in the seeds of the Mucuna pruriens plant, ranging from four to seven percent. It also includes tryptamines, phenols, and tannins, which can cause hallucinations. Its high L-dopa concentration is the primary rationale for its usage in Parkinson's disease therapy. Seeds of Mucuna pruriens was procured locally, authenticated by Professor, Department of Botany, by the studies include organoleptic tests, macroscopic and microscopic observations were done. The animal used for the work were Healthy wister rats(male) weighing about 150-200g used for the study were procured from local animal house.