Bean Shoot Research Articles

Effects of the Epap granulovirus on its host, Epinotia aporema (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).

The bean shoot borer, Epinotia aporema, is a major pest of soybeans in Argentina. Larvae of this pest are attacked by a granulovirus (EpapGV) that is the most important cause of sporadic epizootics in E. aporema populations. We studied the pathology of this virus in last-instar larvae using light and electron microscopy, and evaluated the effect of the disease on larval growth and development. EpapGV caused a polyorganotropic infection. No nucleocapsids were observed in the nuclei of infected cells prior to nuclear membrane disruption. Nevertheless, granulin was detected in the nucleus by immuno-gold staining, indicating that late gene expression occurred prior to nuclear membrane disruption. Establishment of the virogenic stroma led to complexes of continuous parallel convoluted membranous sheets. Nucleocapsids were enveloped in these areas to form virions, which were then occluded. Apparently as part of the cell-to-cell spread of infection, nucleocapsids were observed enclosed in large numbers within membrane-bound vesicles located between the cells and basal lamina. Larvae infected by EpapGV suffered a retardation of development and typically failed to pupate, but exhibited a weight increase greater than that of healthy E. aporema.

Physical and genetic map of Epinotia aporema granulovirus genome.

The bean shoot borer, Epinotia aporema (Lep. Tortricidae), is an economically important pest of legume crops in South America. Recently, a granulovirus (EpapGV) was isolated from E. aporema larvae, and evaluated as a potential biological control agent. In order to generate a restriction map and to investigate the gene organisation of EpapGV genome, DNA isolated from occlusion bodies as well as a set of cloned genomic fragments were analysed using combinations of restriction endonucleases and Southern blot analyses that lead to a first version of the physical map. It was subsequently confirmed and refined by sequencing the termini of the cloned fragments and assessing their contiguity by comparing the sequences with databases to identify putative ORFs spanning neighbour fragments. This was also aided by PCR amplifications with primers that pointed outwards of the cloned viral DNA. The granulin gene was positioned on the physical map, cloned and sequenced. Its 747-nucleotide-long ORF encodes a predicted protein of 29 kDa and the core of the baculovirus very late promoter ATAAG was found 29 nucleotides upstream the initiation codon. In addition, 27 putative ORFs were located on the map and used to explore the genome organisation by GeneParityPlot against the fully sequenced granulovirus genomes. These data, taken together with the phylogenetic tree generated by alignment of the major occlusion proteins, indicate that EpapGV is closely related to CpGV, but has a distinct gene organisation.

Tree species selection and soil tillage in alley cropping systems with Phaseolus vulgaris L. in a humid premontane climate: biomass production, nutrient cycling and crop responses

The development of alley cropping systems is based on the assumption that leguminous trees planted in hedgerows influence the yield of associated crops favourably by means of the additional nutrient pool applied to the soil through tree prunings. An on-station field study (split-plot design in a randomised block design) was conducted on an Eutric Cambisol under humid premontane climate conditions in Costa Rica in order to evaluate the ability of Erythrina poeppigiana, Calliandra calothyrsus and Gliricidia sepium to increase bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) yields compared to sole cropping. Soil tillage was applied as a sub-treatment in order to evaluate if soil preparation would additionally alter soil fertility and bean yield. After seven years with pruning twice per year, the size of both the total N and P pool in the pruned tree material was about three times higher for Erythrina prunings than for Calliandra and Gliricidia prunings. Two and five weeks after mulch application 50–150% higher inorganic N pools were measured in the soil from Erythrina plots, the bean shoot biomass at harvest was increased by 65–100% and the bean yield was 15–50% higher than in plots with beans alone. Hence, of the three tree species, Erythrina was the best choice for alley cropping systems in the pedoclimatic environment studied. Soil tillage reduced bean yield, soil organic matter, total soil N content and soil microbial biomass N in the top soil and is not recommended for similar soils in humid premontane climates.

Adubação NK no desenvolvimento e na concentração de macronutrientes no florescimento do feijoeiro

O nitrogênio e o potássio são os elementos mais absorvidos e exportados pelo feijoeiro, sendo a adubação mineral entre os produtores bastante variável quanto as doses aplicadas. Este trabalho avalia os efeitos de doses de N (0, 60, 80, 100 e 120 kg ha-1) e K2O (0, 60 e 120 kg ha-1) no desenvolvimento do feijoeiro, por meio do número de unidades estruturais, peso de material fresco e seco, e a concentração de macronutrientes no florescimento. O experimento foi realizado em Botucatu, SP., em túnel plástico, utilizando-se a cultivar 'Pérola'. Duas plantas foram cultivadas em vasos de 15 L, preenchidos com terra de Latossolo Vermelho Distrófico típico, textura média, por 50 dias. As doses de NK foram parceladas em cobertura aos 20 e 40 dias após semeadura. As variáveis estudadas foram influenciadas pela interação entre as doses de N e K. A adubação parcelada com N via solo, independentemente das doses utilizadas ou da fertilização com K, aumenta a produção de matéria seca sem interferir nos teores de N da parte aérea do feijoeiro, assim como os de K, Ca e Mg. A omissão de N em cobertura reduz o teor de clorofila, diminuindo a produção de matéria seca, mas não interferindo no número de flores. Os níveis de K utilizados não diminuíram os teores de Ca e Mg da planta.

Differences in catalytic properties between native isoenzymes of xyloglucan endotransglycosylase (XET)

Four isoenzymes of xyloglucan endotransglycosylase (XET; EC 2.4.1.207) were isolated from sprouting mung bean seedlings (M35, M45, M55a, M55b) and two from cauliflower florets (C30, C45). Purification in each case was by ammonium sulphate precipitation, reversible formation of a covalent xyloglucan–enzyme complex, and cation-exchange chromatography. The isoenzymes differed in pH optimum (range 5.0–6.5), K m for the nonasaccharide XLLGol (Gal 2.Xyl 3.Glc 3.glucitol) as acceptor substrate, ability to utilise diverse oligosaccharides as acceptor substrate, and ability to bind to carboxymethyl-cellulose (and thus possibly to other polyanions such as pectin in the cell wall). None of the isoenzymes was particularly cold-tolerant, unlike one XET (TCH4) of Arabidopsis. The two cauliflower isoenzymes had higher K m values for XLLGol (70–130 μM) than the four mung bean isoenzymes (16–35 μM). We suggest that this difference is related to the major roles of the XETs in these two tissues: integration of new xyloglucan into the walls of the densely cytoplasmic cauliflower florets, and re-structuring of existing wall material in the rapidly vacuolating bean shoots.

Differential In vitro Direct Shoot Regeneration Responses in Embryo Axis and Shoot Tip Explants of Faba Bean.

An efficient plant regeneration procedure using embryo axis and shoot tip explants was developed in faba bean (Vicia faba L.). Embryo axes and shoot tips were cultured on MS medium (Murashige and Skoog 1962) supplemented with benzyladenine (BA) and thidiazuron (TDZ). Differential regeneration efficiency was observed due to factors including growth regulator combinations in the medium, explants, basal media and lines used. Explants cultured on medium with TDZ in combination with BA produced a higher number of shoots compared with either cytokinin alone. The embryo axes promoted the formation of more adventitious shoots than shoot tips. The frequency of multiple shoot formation varied among the lines tested. Line 740 cultured on MS medium containing TDZ in combination with BA (2.0 mgl-1 each) gave the highest number of shoots per explant (10.2 and 7.7) from both embryo axes and shoot tips, respectively. Explants cultured on MS or MSB (MS salts+B5 vitamins) produced the highest number of shoots. The efficiency of TDZ combined with BA for multiple shoot induction was not improved when 0.25-1.00 mgl-1 of naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) was added. Regenerated shoots were rooted on half-strength MS basal medium lacking growth regulators or supplemented with either NAA, IBA or IAA (0.25-1.0 mgl-1) prior to transfer to greenhouse conditions. We developed a rapid, reliable, high-frequency method for producing multiple shoots from faba bean shoot tip and embryo axis explants.

Growth and nutrient concentrations of common bean, lowland rice, corn, soybean, and wheat at different soil ph on an inceptisol

Soil pH is an important soil chemical property of acid soils that profoundly affects the growth and nutrient uptake by crops. Five greenhouse experiments were conducted to evaluate responses of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), lowland rice (Oryza sativa L.), corn (Zea mays L.), soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to mean soil pH values of 4.9, 5.9, 6.4, 6.7, and 7 on an Inceptisol. Relative dry matter yield (DMY) of shoots of all the crops tested was significantly affected by soil pH. Based on the quadratic response optimum pH for maximum relative Dry matter yield of wheat was 6.3, for soybean 5.6, for corn 5.4, for common bean 6 and for rice 4.9. This shows that crops responded differently to soil acidity. Among the crops tested, rice was the most tolerant and wheat was the most intolerant to soil acidity. On an average concentration of calcium (Ca) and potassium (K) in the plant shoots increased quadratically with increased soil pH except K concentration in the shoots of corn and soybean decreased. Magnesium (Mg) concentrations in the shoots of common bean and wheat decreased with increasing soil pH but in lowland rice, corn, and soybean increased quadratically with increasing soil pH. Phosphorus (P) concentrations in the shoots of common bean, wheat, and corn was increased but in lowland rice and soybean decreased with increasing soil pH. With few exceptions, most of the micronutrients concentrations decreased with increasing soil pH.

Characterization of a second calcium-dependent protein kinase from winged bean

In plants, Ca 2+ has emerged as the predominant second messenger for signal transduction, as cyclic nucleotides are not known to play any significant role in this system. Earlier, we characterized an interesting Ca 2+-dependent protein kinase, WbCDPK (winged bean calmodulin-like domain protein kinase), from the soluble fraction of winged bean ( Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) shoot extract. Here an isoform of WbCDPK is purified to apparent homogeneity from the same winged bean shoot extract. It is a single polypeptide chain protein-serine kinase, having an M r of about 70,000 and like WbCDPK, its preferred substrates are histone H1, syntide 2 and MLC-peptide (a synthetic myosin light chain related peptide) and it is totally dependent on Ca 2+ for its activity, but exogenous calmodulin (CaM) does not stimulate it. However, it is strongly inhibited by CaM antagonists, indicating the presence of a CaM-like domain, as in WbCDPK. The two enzymes do not cross react immunologically and the isoform differs significantly from WbCDPK in its apparent inability to catalyse the autophosphorylation reaction, which is known to cause down-regulation of substrate phosphorylation in the case of WbCDPK.

Diagnosis of potassium deficiency in faba bean and chickpea by plant analysis

Summary. Critical potassium (K) concentrations for the diagnosis of K deficiency were determined in various shoot parts of faba bean (Vicia faba L. cv. Fiord) and chickpea (Cicer arietinum L. T1587) plants grown at K rates of 0–240 mg K/kg in a K-deficient soil in the glasshouse. Shoot growth of both species increased with rates of K applied and with plant age but faba bean was more responsive to K application than chickpea. Potassium concentrations in plant parts greatly increased with increasing K supply. In faba bean, K concentrations in all shoot parts decreased with plant age irrespective of K supply while in chickpea K concentrations in leaves of K-deficient plants increased with plant age but those in stems decreased. For both species, young leaves had higher K concentrations than old tissues, especially in K-deficient plants. A greater proportion of leaf K was stored in the petioles when K supply was adequate than when K was deficient. Critical K concentrations were determined using the hand-fitted curve and Mitscherlich model at 90% maximum shoot weight and the 2-phase linear model. The critical concentrations varied between plant parts and among the methods used. Critical values decreased with leaf age and were higher in leaf petioles than in leaf blades. Critical K concentrations, developed from hand-fitted curves, in the 1st plus 2nd and 3rd plus 4th leaf blades of faba bean, and leaf petioles below the youngest fully expanded leaf (YFEL) of chickpea were similar between days 48 and 73 for faba bean and between days 55 and 80 for chickpea. It is recommended that the critical values for the diagnosis of K deficiency at 7–8-leaf stages are 1.3–1.5% in YFEL, 1.1–1.2% in the 1st plus 2nd leaf blades below the YFEL and 1.8–2.0% in whole shoot of faba bean, and 1.4–1.5% in YFEL, 2.7–2.8% in the 1st plus 2nd leaf petioles and 2.1–2.2% in whole shoot of chickpea. The gradient of K concentration between young and old leaves occurred before a decrease in shoot growth and may be used for the prognosis of K deficiency.

Response of Bean and Broccoli to High-sulfate Irrigation Water

Groundwater contaminated with sulfate (SO42−) at concentrations greater than allowed for drinking water may be suitable for irrigation. Our objectives were to determine the growth response and mineral uptake of two vegetables grown with high SO42− irrigation water. Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.) were grown in a calcareous sandy loam soil irrigated with water containing 175 to 1743 mg SO42−/L. Plants were harvested and growth was measured at 4, 8, or 12 weeks. Soil paste and dried ground plant tissue extracts were analyzed for elemental composition at each harvest by inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy. Bean shoot dry mass decreased as SO42− concentration increased. Although pod number at 4 weeks decreased as SO42− concentration increased, pod number at 12 weeks was not affected by irrigation treatments. Broccoli growth was not affected by increasing SO42− concentration at any of the harvest dates, although head diameter decreased as SO42− increased. Magnesium, sodium, and sulfur accumulated in shoot tissue (leaves and stems) of both species in proportion to their concentration in the irrigation water. Soil Na and electrical conductivity levels increased as SO42− concentration increased even with a 20% leaching fraction. These results suggest that bean and broccoli can be successfully grown with high-SO42− irrigation water.

Response of Zea mays and Vicia faba to CULTAN fertilization

AbstractThe response of broad bean (Vicia faba L.) and corn (Zea mays L.) to CULTAN fertilization was compared. Roots of broad bean turned black and were severely damaged by CULTAN fertilization, whereas corn roots were not affected. Consequently, dry matter production of roots and shoots of broad bean was significantly reduced. CULTAN fertilization caused a soil pH increase which may be attributed to hydrolysis of urea applied during CULTAN fertilization. It is assumed that the occurrence of high NH3 concentration in soil due to CULTAN fertilization may be toxic to broad bean but not to corn.

Soil pH changes during legume growth and application of plant material

During cultivation of legumes soil is acidified due to proton release from roots. As a consequence of proton release, plants accumulate organic anions which may, if returned and decomposed in the soil, neutralize the soil acids. Until now the detailed processes responsible for the change in soil pH after incorporation of plant material have not been completely understood. Using a pot experiment we studied the changes in acid and base in soil during growth of field beans (Vicia faba L. cv. Alfred) and after incorporation of the plant material into the soil. Soil pH was significantly decreased by field beans from 6.00 to 5.64 in a cultivation period of 45 days. Proton release amounted to 32.7 mmol H+ pot-1, which was approximately equivalent to the accumulated alkalinity in the plant shoots (34.4 mmol). Return of field bean shoots caused a significant soil pH increase from 5.64 to 6.29. Within 7 days more than 90% of the added alkalinity was released. After 307 days incubation, soil pH decreased to 5.86 due to nitrification. In a second experiment, maize leaves (Zea mays L.), containing various concentrations of nitrogen and at various alkalinities, were incorporated into the soil. Soil pH change was positively correlated to alkalinity and malate concentration and negatively correlated to total nitrogen and water-soluble organic nitrogen of incorporated leaves. It is concluded that the soil acidification caused by legume cultivation can be partly compensated for if crop residues are returned to the soil. Addition of plant material may initially cause an increase in soil pH due to decomposition of organic anions and organic nitrogen. Soil pH may decrease if nitrification is involved. The concentrations of nitrogen and alkalinity of added plant material are decisive factors controlling soil pH change after incorporation of plant material.

Effect of primary leaves on 59Fe uptake by roots and 59Fe distribution in the shoot of iron sufficient and iron deficient bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) plants

A study has been made on the effect of primary leaves on iron (Fe) distribution in the shoot. Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seedlings were precultured in nutrient solution with 8×10-5M FeEDTA for 4 days, and then grown further with either 8×10-5M FeEDTA (+Fe) or without Fe supply (-Fe) for another 5 days. Thereafter, both +Fe and -Fe plants were treated in three different ways: undisturbed; one primary leaf removed; or one primary leaf shaded, starting two hours before supply 59FeEDTA to the roots. The +Fe plants were supplied with 8×10-5M59FeEDTA, and the -Fe plants with only 1×10-6M59FeEDTA. After 1 to 8 hour uptake periods, plants were harvested and 59Fe in different organs was determined. Removal or shading of one primary leaf did not affect 59Fe uptake by roots and 59Fe translocation to the shoot in +Fe plants. In the -Fe plants, however, removal of one primary leaf decreased 59Fe uptake by roots, whereas shading of one primary leaf had no effect on 59Fe uptake but slightly enhanced 59Fe translocation from roots to the shoot. The quantity of 59Fe in primary leaves was positively correlated with quantity of 59Fe in the stem in the -Fepplants, but not in the +Fe plants. In both, the +Fe and -Fe plants, the quantity of 59Fe in the shoot apex was positively correlated with 59Fe in primary leaves. The results suggest that irrespective of the Fe nutritional status of plants, the source of Fe for the shoot apex is Fe retranslocated from primary leaves.

Uptake, distribution, and binding of cadmium and nickel in different plant species

Abstract For better understanding of mechanisms responsible for differences in uptake and distribution of cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) in different plant species, nutrient solution experiments were conducted with four plant species [bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), rice (Oryza saliva L.), curly kale (Brassica oleracea L.) and maize (Zea mays L.)]. The plants were grown in a complete nutrient solution with additional 0.125 and 0.50 μM Cd or 0.50 and 1.00 μM Ni. Large differences in Cd and Ni concentrations in shoot dry matter were found between plant species. Maize had the highest Cd concentration in the shoots, and bean the lowest. Contrary to Cd, the Ni concentrations were highest in the shoots of bean and the lowest in maize. A gradient of Cd concentrations occurred in bean and rice plants with the order roots > > stalk base >> shoots (stems/sheaths > leaves). A similar gradient of Ni concentrations was also found in maize and rice plants. In the xylem sap, the Cd and Ni concentrations were positively corr...

Synthesis, biological activity and metabolism of ( S)-(+)-3′-Fluoroabscisic acid

( S)-(+)-3′-Fluoroabscisic acid ( 5a) was synthesized as an analogue of abscisic acid that can resist the metabolic cyclization of 8′-hydroxyabscisic acid to phaseic acid due to increased electron density at C-2′. The inhibitory activity of 5a was slightly higher than that of abscisic acid in lettuce seed germination, and was almost equal to that of abscisic acid in rice seedling elongation. When 5a was applied to bean shoots, 3′-fluoro-8′-hydroxyabscisic acid ( 8a), 3′α- and 3′β-fluorophaseic acids ( 9a and 10a) and 3′α- and 3′β-fluorodihydrophaseic acids ( 11a and 12a) were identified as the free metabolites. The methyl esters 8b, 9b and 10b coexisted at equilibrium in the ratio of 7:6:1. This result indicates that 8a is stable as back-isomerization of 9a and 10a occurs.

Characterization of a winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) protein kinase with calmodulin-like domain: regulation by autophosphorylation.

A soluble protein kinase purified from winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) shoots, has been assessed as a monomeric enzyme with an approximate M(r) of 60,000 in spite of the presence of two polypeptides of 61 and 58 kDa determined by SDS/PAGE. Immunoblot analyses using either of the two antisera raised individually against the polypeptides, detect both of them in purified preparations and a single larger polypeptide (62 kDa) in freshly prepared tissue homogenates, clearly indicating the likelihood of the doublet being formed from the larger one by proteolysis. Histone H1, syntide 2 and a synthetic myosin light chain-related peptide (MLC-peptide) have been identified as exogenous substrates of the enzyme. Complete Ca(2+)-dependence for substrate phosphorylation, a drastic inhibition of the reaction by a calmodulin (CaM) antagonist which can be partially reversed by a heterologous CaM and direct 45Ca(2+)-binding on blot, form compelling evidence in favour of a CaM-like domain of the enzyme. Both the polypeptides of the purified enzyme undergo intramolecular autophosphorylation on serine residue(s). Unlike the substrate phosphorylation reaction, autophosphorylation is Ca(2+)-independent and is not inhibited by the CaM antagonist. Down-regulation of substrate phosphorylation by auto-phosphorylation, and stimulation of the autophosphorylation by histone H1 and MLC-peptide, are novel regulatory features of the enzyme.

Protein markers of the movement of twining bean shoots

Protein markers of the movement of twining bean shoots

A growth inhibitor, R-(−)-3-hydroxy-β-ionone, from lightgrown shoots of a dwarf cultivar of Phaseolus vulgaris

A growth inhibitor which might be involved in light-induced growth inhibition of bean hypocotyl was isolated from light-grown dwarf bean shoots ( Phaseolus vulgaris cv Morocco) and its structure was determined by spectral data as R-(−)-3-hydroxy-β-ionone. It inhibited the growth of hypocotyls of lettuce seedlings and hypocotyl segments of dwarf bean seedlings at concentrations greater than 0.03 μM, and its inhibitory activity was higher than ABA.

INTERFERENCE POTENTIAL OF PLUCHEA LANCEOLATA (ASTERACEAE): GROWTH AND PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES OF ASPARAGUS BEAN, VIGNA UNGUICULATA VAR. SESQUIPEDALIS

The water‐soluble compounds synthesized by the weed, Pluchea lanceolata, and released by it into the soil significantly reduced seed germination, number of nodes, internode length, shoot and root lengths, nodule number and weight, and Chl a and b and Chl a/b ratio of asparagus bean plants. The pattern of accumulation of nutrients in shoot and root of asparagus bean was also affected. In contrast, the net photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance of fully expanded leaves were higher in plants grown with treated soil. The concentrations of Mg++, Zn++, and PO43‐ were higher and K+ was lower in shoots of plants grown with treated soil as compared to those grown with the control soil. Also, roots of plants grown with treated soil showed greater accumulation of Mg++ and NO3‐. Shoot/root ratio of nutrients in plants grown with control soil were higher for Zn++, Na+, Ca++, and NO3‐, whereas plants grown with treated soil had higher ratios for PO43‐. These results provide evidence for allelopathic interference by P. lanceolata to the growth of asparagus bean.

The induction of chickpea glutathione S-transferase by oxadiazon

Abstract Treatment of chickpea (Cicer arietinum) with the herbicide oxadiazon [2-tert-butyl-4-(2,4-dichloro-5- isopropoxyphenyl)- 2 Δ-1,3,4-oxadiazon-5-one] caused a progressive increase in glutathione S -transferase activity in seedlings, roots, shoots, leaves and stems. The lowest oxadiazon concentration that caused a noticeable elevation in the enzyme activity was 0.02 ppm. The maximum increase in enzyme activity was more than 269% of the control with oxadiazon concentration between 10 and 20 ppm. Oxadiazon treatment of eight-day-old plants increased the enzyme activity in the shoot after 6 hr of exposure, and maximum activity was reached at 24–26 hr. A similar but lower increase in enzyme activity was observed in the shoots of broad bean ( Vicia faba ) and corn ( Zea mays ). No significant increase in the enzyme activity was observed in treated lentil ( Lens esculenta ), bitter vetch ( Vicia ervilia ), wheat ( Triticum aestivum ) and barley ( Hordeum vulgare ).