Species Of Leguminosae Research Articles

Adverse Effects of Allelopathy from Legume Crops and Its Possible Avoidance

Plant releases many bioactive chemicals from its various parts such as leaves, stem, root and sometimes decomposed body through different mechanism into its surrounding environment. These bioactive chemicals are often termed as allelochemicals because they interact with the surrounding environment. This interaction is either positive or negative. Effects of allelochemicals to the agricultural and biological ecosystem are well documented. In leguminosae family many species are involved in releasing of allelochemicals. Many researchers found that this allelochemicals have both positive and detrimental effects on the successive legume crops. Legume monoculture is common in many parts of the world where they cause a numbers of ecological and economic problems such as decline in crop yield due to soil sickness, regeneration failure and replant problem. These negative effects of allelochemicals open a great concern on allelopathy research. This article reviews the adverse effects of allelochemicals, their extraction and isolation, mechanism inside the plant body. These all are done to find out the possible selection methods of succeeding crops to avoid the allelopathic effects in the next crop of a monoculture farm field. The main purpose of this article is to highlight the adverse allelopathic effects of legume crops to provide ways for sustainable development in agro-ecosystem.

Biocide plants as a sustainable tool for the control of pests and pathogens in vegetable cropping systems

Synthetic pesticides have played a major role in crop protection related to the intensification of agricultural systems. In the recent years, environmental side effects and health concerns raised by an indiscriminate use have led the EU to the ban of many synthetic pesticides. As a result of this drastic revision, currently there is a strong need for new and alternative pest control methods. An interesting source of biorational pesticides may be represented by the biocidal compounds naturally occurring in plants as products of the secondary metabolism. Groups of plant secondary metabolites most promising for the development of pesticidal formulations are glucosinolates, saponins, and more generally terpenoid phytoconstituents, such as essential oil and their constituents. Glucosinolates are thioglucosidic secondary metabolites occurring mainly in the Brassicaceae and, at a less extent, in Capparidaceae families. The incorporation of glucosinolate- containing plant material into the soil results in degradation products highly toxic to soilborne pest, pathogens and weeds. This practice, known as biofumigation, may be considered as an ecological alternative to soil toxic fumigants. Plant-derived saponins are triterpene glycosides present in top and root tissues of plant species of the families Leguminosae, Alliaceae, Asteraceae, Polygalaceae and Agavaceae. Saponins and saponin-rich plant materials have been also reported for a biocidal activity on phytoparasites and soilborne plant pathogens. Essential oils are volatile, natural, heterogeneous mixtures of single substances, mainly terpenes and phenolics, formed as secondary metabolites by aromatic plants belonging to several botanical families. Among terpenes, limonoid triterpenes have been demonstrated to possess interesting insecticidal, nematicidal and antifungal properties. Occurrence of these compounds is mainly limited to Meliaceae and Rutaceae. Alkaloids, phenolics, cyanogenic glucosides, polyacetylenes and polythienyls are further groups of secondary metabolites also known for their biocidal activity and susceptible for the production of natural pesticides. Alkaloids are derived from various botanical families, amongst which the Solacaneae, and include a number of molecules, such as nicotine, veratrine, cevatrine and ryanodine, used as insecticides. Phenolics were found also toxic to insects, fungi, bacteria, nematodes and weeds. Cyanogenic glucosides are amino acidderived secondary metabolites releasing, upon tissue disruption, hydrogen cyanide that suppress insects, fungus, nematodes and weeds. Finally, polyacetylenes and polythienyls, substances mainly present in Tagetes species, are also well known for their insecticidal and nematicidal properties.

A new species of Deguelia (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae) from the Brazilian Amazon Basin

Deguelia decorticans, a new lianescent species of Leguminosae from the Brazilian Amazon, is here described and illustrated. The new species has flowers which resemble those of Deguelia duckeana and Deguelia rariflora and it might be closely related to them, probably forming a species complex. However, this new species can be easily distinguished by some morphological and reproductive characteristics.

A New Species of Eriosema (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Phaseoleae) from Minas Gerais, Brazil

Eriosema tozziae, a new species of Leguminosae (Papilionoideae, Phaseoleae, Cajaninae) from Minas Gerais is described and illustrated. Similar to E. defoliatum, it differs morphologically from the latter by the persistent leaves in the reproductive phase (vs. caducous in E. defoliatum) and the shorter inflorescences (10–13 cm long vs. 15–30 cm long in E. defoliatum). An identification key for the Eriosema species in Minas Gerais is also provided.

DNA barcodes successfully identified Macaronesian Lotus (Leguminosae) species within early diverged lineages of Cape Verde and mainland Africa.

Plant DNA barcoding currently relies on the application of a two-locus combination, matK + rbcL. Despite the universality of these two gene regions across plants, it is suspected that this combination might not have sufficient variation to discriminate closely related species. In this study, we tested the performance of this two-locus plant barcode along with the additional plastid regions trnH-psbA, rpoC1 and rpoB and the nuclear region internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) in a group of 38 species of Lotus from the Macaronesian region. The group has radiated into the five archipelagos within this region from mid-Miocene to early Pleistocene, and thus provides both early divergent and recent radiations that pose a particularly difficult challenge for barcoding. The group also has 10 species considered under different levels of conservation concern. We found different levels of species discrimination depending on the age of the lineages. We obtained 100 % of the species identification from mainland Africa and Cape Verde when all six regions were combined. These lineages radiated >4.5 Mya; however, in the most recent radiations from the end of the Pliocene to the mid-Pleistocene (3.5-1.5 Mya), only 30 % of the species were identified. Of the regions examined, the intergenic region trnH-psbA was the most variable and had the greatest discriminatory power (18 %) of the plastid regions when analysed alone. The nrITS region was the best region when analysed alone with a discriminatory power of 26 % of the species. Overall, we identified 52 % of the species and 30 % of the endangered or threatened species within this group when all six regions were combined. Our results are consistent with those of other studies that indicate that additional approaches to barcoding will be needed in recently evolved groups, such as the inclusion of faster evolving regions from the nuclear genome.

Calliandra ricoana (Leguminosae, Mimosoideae, tribe Ingeae): a new and critically endangered species from Chiapas, Mexico


 
 Calliandra ricoana , a new species of Leguminosae (Mimosoideae, tribe Ingeae ) , from the state of Chiapas, Mexico is described and illustrated. Critical examination of C. ricoana in comparison with members of Calliandra section Androcallis , series Macrophyllae shows that it is morphologically similar and presumably closely related to C. macqueenii and C. trinervia var. arborea , but it can be distinguished from these and the other members of the series by a combination of characters, namely the arborescent habit, the relatively larger leaflets, the short peduncles, the homomorphic flowers, the longer corollas and the longer, exserted staminal tubes. 

Partial purification of trypsin inhibitors from Parkia seeds (Fabaceae)

Leguminous seeds (Fabaceae) have a high content of inhibitors of which serine protease inhibitors are the most widely studied. However, there are only a few studies related to the investigation of these proteins in tree species belonging to the Amazon flora. The protein content presented in seeds of four Amazonian Leguminosae species, Parkia pendula, P. discolor, P. multijuga and P. Nitida, was extracted by using NaCl 0.15 mol L-1 and then partially fractionated by using affinity chromatography performed on a trypsin-Sepharose 4B. These inhibitors presented different affinities between trypsin and chymotrypsin serine proteases, showing a higher inhibition to trypsin compared to chymotrypsin, except for P. nitida, which showed high inhibition against both enzymes. The SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the species from Parkia genus have a main band corresponding to partially purified trypsin inhibitors. The apparent molecular mass inhibitors (approximately 13-18 kDa) and the high specificity for trypsin suggest the occurrence of Bowman-Birk and Kunitz type inhibitors.

玉米-大豆间作和施氮对玉米产量及农艺性状的影响

为研究玉米-大豆间作模式和施氮水平对玉米产量、主要农艺性状及生长动态的影响，进行2个种植模式（玉米单作和玉米-大豆间作）和2个施氮水平（0 kg/hm²，150 kg/hm²）的双因素随机区组试验，以期揭示施氮和间作对玉米产量的影响规律，为提高玉米-大豆间作系统产量提供一定的理论依据。研究结果表明：（1）与不施氮相比，施氮显著增加了春秋两季间作玉米产量，分别达到23.81%和40.99%。施氮处理下的间作玉米地上部生物量较不施氮提高了29.91%，单作模式下显著提高了40.34%，两者差异均达到显著水平。（2）与不施氮相比，施氮150 kg/hm²条件下春玉米单作和间作模式百粒重分别提高了18.92%和19.23%，秋玉米单作和间作模式百粒重分别提高了31.03%和32.75%，差异均达到显著水平。与不施氮相比，施氮150 kg/hm²条件下，单作和间作模式均显著提高秋玉米穗长。与不施氮相比，施氮150 kg/hm²条件下，单作秋玉米的穗粗提高了18.67%，差异显著。（3）施氮和间作均能促进玉米干物质累积、提高株高和叶绿素（SPAD值），且表现为施氮效果高于间作效果。总体来看，种植模式和施氮水平对玉米产量、主要农艺性状和生长动态均有一定影响，且施氮效果优于间作效果。由于土壤具有一定的供氮能力，而间作豆科能为玉米供给一定量的氮素，故对于春玉米而言，施氮效果仅在百粒重中表现，随着土壤原有氮素被玉米吸收利用减少后，供氮能力下降，在秋玉米中施氮效果显著提高。;Intercropping, with 1000-year history in Chinese agriculture, is still widespread in modern Chinese agriculture. The environmental resources, such as light, water and mineral nutrients, might be used more efficiently in intercropping than in monoculture by crops, which resulted in greater yield. The interaction among crops in intercropping might help the usage of environmental resources by crops. One of the vital roles of legumes played in cropping systems is their ability to fix nitrogen from air. However, Species of Leguminosae are known as weaker competitors to species of Gramineae. Theconcentration of soil inorganic N following legumes was often higher than that following cereal crops. To study the effects of maize-soybean intercropping and nitrogen levels on corn yield, main agronomic characters and growth dynamic, we conducted a double-factor randomized block experiment of two planting patterns (corn monoculture and maize-soybean intercropping) and two nitrogen levels (0 kg/hm², 150 kg/hm²). The results showed that: cropping patterns and nitrogen levels had no significant effect on the yield of spring maize; the yield of monoculture maize in autumn with N application (150 kg/hm²) was significantly higher than the other three treatments. Comparing to no nitrogen treatment, hundred-grain weight with N 150 kg/hm² increased by 18.92% and 19.23% respectively in the mode of spring maize monoculture and intercropping. In the mode of autumn maize monoculture and intercropping, hundred-grain weight of the treatment with N 150 kg/hm² was significant higher than those of no nitrogen treatments, increased by 31.03% and 32.75% respectively. There was no significant difference in maize hundred-grain weight between intercropping and monoculture under the same N application. There was no significant difference of ear length among the treatments of spring maize. Comparing to no nitrogen treatment, the ear length of autumn maize in the treatment with N 150 kg/hm² in monoculture and intercropping patterns were both significantly improved. On the aspect of ear width, there was no significant difference between the treatments of spring maize; whilte autumn maize monoculture increased by 18.67% under N 150 kg/hm² comparing to N 0 kg/hm². However, intercropping had no significant difference in autumn maize. On the aspect of spike grain number, there was no significant difference between the treatments of spring maize; while autumn maize grain number was significantly higher than the other three under monoculture and N 150 kg/hm². Nitrogen and intercropping both could improve SPAD value and plant height of maize, and promote the maize dry matter accumulation, while there was no significant difference among the treatments. Overall, cropping patterns and nitrogen levels had effects on maize yield, main agronomic characters and growth dynamic. The effects of intercropping were less than nitrogen level, because soil and Leguminosae had a certain capacity of supplying nitrogen for maize. The effects of nitrogen application on spring maize were only presented in the hundred-grain weight. As the nitrogen in soil was absorbed by maize, the nitrogen supporting from soil decreased, leading to the significantly effects of nitrogen application in the autumn maize.

Homology Modelling of Conserved rbcL Amino Acid Sequences in Leguminosae Family

This study is focus on Homology modelling of few Leguminosae family species which are found in Gujarat state, INDIA. There are three subfamilies of Leguminosae family which are Fabaceae (Papilionaceae), Caesalpiniaceae and Mimosaceae. Multiple sequence alignment carried out of few species’ rbcL protein sequences in each subfamily and conserved amino acid considered for homology modelling. Evolutionarily related proteins have similar sequences and naturally occurring homologous proteins have similar protein structure. It has been shown that three-dimensional protein structure is evolutionarily more conserved than would be expected on the basis of sequence conservation alone; we found that there are few amino acids which are common with same base pairs in each sub-family even though they are from different genus. There is no Protein structure available of conserved amino acids in PDB database of our study so we did homology modelling of three rbcL protein sequences (one from each sub family) which are found conserved in Multiple sequence alignment and structure validation with Ramachandran Plot was carried out and CASTp server was used to find out active sites in predicted protein structure and finally function of each predicted protein reported after this homology modeling of few conserved rbcL amino acid sequences in Leguminosae family.

Nutritional Value of Acacia Amentacea and Parkinsonia Texana Grown in Semiarid Conditions

In order to evaluate the nutritional value of Parkinsonia texana and Acacia amentacea, two leguminosae species of the Tamaulipan scrubland, Northeastern Mexico, two experiments were carried out: the first tested the effects of season and browse species on chemical composition as nutritional variable to small ruminants; the second tested the effect of the addition of polyethylene glycol (PEG) on fermentation parameters. Foliage samples were collected from three sites. Data of chemical composition were analysed using analysis of variance for a bi-factorial arrangement, whereas the effect of PEG was analysed by a strip plot design. Results of chemical composition were affected by interacting factors season*species as individually they were significantly different (P<0.001). Addition of PEG affected (P<0.001) fermentation parameters. Significantly higher values of neutral detergent fibre (42%), condensed tannins (19%), purines (9 μmol), partitioning factor (PF) (6.1) and gross energy losses (GEL=6.7%) were found in A. amentacea, while P. texana gave higher crude protein (18%), in vitro true organic matter digestibility (82%), metabolisable energy (ME) [2.1 Mcal/kg dry matter (DM)], A (183 mL), c (0.07/h) and L (0.86 h). Addition of PEG increased ME, and affected (P<0.001) fermentation parameters A and c, while purines and PF decreased. Results indicate that chemical composition and fermentation parameters vary according to seasons and species. PEG addition increases the fermentation parameters, which indicates that PEG counteracts the detrimental effects of secondary components of samples. Data suggest that using both species combined could supply necessary nutritional requirements to small ruminants in the Tamaulipan scrubland.

Isolation and characterization of 16 microsatellite markers in Intsia palembanica, a high-value tropical hardwood species

Intsia palembanica is a high-value tropical hardwood species of the family Leguminosae. A total of 16 microsatellite markers were developed for this important timber species using an enrichment approach. These markers were screened on 24 samples from a natural population and subsequently tested for reproducibility, ease of scoring and locus-specificity, across five populations. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.026 to 0.976 and 0.026 to 0.928, respectively, while the mean number of alleles per locus per population was 8.73. These microsatellite markers are informative and will be useful for conservation genetic study, individual identification and timber tracking.

Comparison of photosynthesis and antioxidative protection in Sophora moorcroftiana and Caragana maximovicziana under water stress

This study aims to investigate the protective roles of photosynthetic characteristics and antioxidative systems in the desiccation tolerance of Sophora moorcroftiana and Caragana maximovicziana as they adapt to arid environments. A variety of physiological and biochemical parameters in the leaves of two Leguminosae species were monitored for 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 d of drought stress. Soil water content decreased from 38.58% to 7.33% after exposure to 28 d of water stress. The photosynthetic carbon-assimilation rates of the two Leguminosae plants decreased for non-stomatal limitation with processing water stress. The malondialdehyde content and cell membrane relative conductivity of the two species increased significantly from 1 to 21 d and then decreased. S. moorcroftiana showed higher superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities than C. maximovicziana during the 28 d treatment period. However, the catalase activities and proline content of C. maximovicziana were higher than those of S. moorcroftiana before the water stress treatment reached 21 d. Nine physiological and biochemical parameters were selected to comprehensively evaluate the two species’ drought-resistance by the membership function values (MFV). The mean MFV indicated that S. moorcroftiana has a relatively stronger drought defense capability than C. maximovicziana. S. moorcroftiana mainly uses carbon-assimilation rate and osmotic adjustment to combat water deficiency.

Determination of Pulp and Paper Making Suitability Indices of Some Nigerian Species of Leguminosae: Caesalpinoideae

Uncontrolled felling of trees for domestic and industrial uses is fast depleting the tropical forests and has led to a continued exploitation of Gmelina arborea Roxb. plantations for fuel wood and timber, a development that is threatening the ecosystem and the survival of the pulp and paper making (PPM) industries in Nigeria. This study proposes an objective method for selecting hardwood species for PPM by statistically comparing the available anatomical and other related data in the reference wood (i.e G. arborea Roxb.) with those of alternative hard wood species. (i.e twelve Nigerian species of Caesalpinioideae ). Mature stem branches (8-12cm diameter ) of twelve species , representing nine genera of the family were collected at various locations in Oyo state. A similar stem branch of G. arborea Roxb. was collected as a standard raw material for pulp and paper making. Using conventional wood anatomical techniques, nine qualitative and twenty quantitative characters were determined. The means of all the quantitative characters were compared by conducting a One-way classification analysis of variance using the version 17.0 SPSS package. Also t-test conducted indicated a significant difference between data from each of the species of Caesalpinoideae and that of G. arborea. Based on the result of the comparison, a numeric value by which the PPM potential of the alternative hardwood species was precisely defined. Results show that the woods of Caesalpinioideae species investigated are highly suitable wood resources for PPM, virtually all the species can be said to be among the best substitutes for G. arborea each being at least 75% suitable for papermaking in comparison with G. arborea. The Caesalpinioideae species investigated in order of their preferences for PPM are listed as Tamarindus indica (1.5426), Delonix regia (1.2781), Brachystegia eurycoma (1.1801), Senna sieberiana (1.1565), Bauhinia rufescens (1.1119), Afzelia africana (1.0836), Senna siamea (1.0647), Danielia ogea (1.0400), Piliostigma thoningii (0.9431), Detarium senegalensis (0.9114), Danielia oliveri (0.8423) and Caesalpinia pulcherima (0.7562). DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2013.v2n13p61

Eriosema hatschbachii (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae), a new species from Minas Gerais, Brazil

Eriosema hatschbachii, a new species of Leguminosae (Papilionoideae) from Minas Gerais, Brazil, is described and illustrated. The taxon is morphologically similar to E. floribundum Benth. and E. pycnanthum Benth. var. pycnanthum, but differs mainly in having many parallel secondary veins on the leaflets (similar to the venation seen on nearly all species of the genus Tephrosia) and erect stems with leaves only near the apex.

Guia ilustrado de Leguminosae Juss. arbóreas do Corredor de Biodiversidade Santa Maria - PR

Leguminosae representa uma das principais famílias em estudos florísticos e fitossociológicos. Tal riqueza pode ocasionar dificuldades na identificação, principalmente em coletas de amostras estéreis. O objetivo do presente estudo foi elaborar um guia ilustrado com dicas de campo, bem como uma chave de identificação, abordando as principais características vegetativas diagnósticas das Leguminosae arbóreas do Corredor de Biodiversidade de Santa Maria, o qual une a Faixa de Proteção do Lago de Itaipu ao Parque Nacional do Iguaçu. O corredor reúne vários remanescentes de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual do sudoeste do Paraná e áreas reflorestadas. Foram coletadas amostras em diferentes áreas do corredor, sendo três remanescentes florestais (Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, Reserva Legal da Fazenda São José, Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural da Fazenda Santa Maria), e duas áreas reflorestadas (Faixa Seca e Faixa de Proteção do Lago de Itaipu). As Leguminosae coletadas foram fotografadas ainda em campo, com câmera semiprofissional, registrando aspectos morfológicos vegetativos como tronco, ritidoma, coloração da casca interna e/ou alburno, presença de exsudato, formato dos folíolos, presença de acúleos, glândulas, nectários extraflorais, indumento e, quando presentes, estruturas reprodutivas. As amostras foram identificadas e adicionadas ao Herbário da Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (UNOP). Foram encontradas 29 espécies de Leguminosae, para as quais foi elaborado um guia com pranchas, ilustrando as principais características vegetativas diagnósticas, bem como uma chave dicotômica, a fim de auxiliar na identificação das espécies de Leguminosae presentes no sudoeste do Paraná. Características do tronco como ritidoma, casca interna e/ou alburno, formato e coloração dos folíolos, presença de exsudado, acúleos, indumento, nectários extraflorais ou glândulas foram de grande valia em campo, pois permitiram a identificação das espécies de Leguminosae do Corredor de Biodiversidade de Santa Maria.

New goats on the island?

Trindade is an oceanic island located ca. 1200 km east of the Brazilian coast with only 65% of its original vegetation cover remaining. Devastation was mainly caused by the presence of goats for a long time. Since goats were eliminated in 2005 the island vegetation is going through a recovering process. However during a visit to the island in 2012 another threat to the vegetation was noted: a Leguminosae species is spreading and killing part of the endemic herbaceous vegetation of Cyperus atlanticus.

Ecological features of titica vine (Heteropsis flexuosa (Kunth) GS Bunting) in Rondônia State, Northwest Brazilian Amazon

The aim of this study was to characterize the forest structure with H. flexuosa in Rondônia State, as a first step in developing sustainable harvest and conservation guidelines for the species. Crown attributes, total height (m) and diameter at breast height ≥ 10 (cm) of trees and palms with H. flexuosa were evaluated in three permanent plots (100 m x 150 m each) randomized in 219 ha. A total of 22 botanical families hosted H. flexuosa. It was not observed any specific preference for the species standing up itself. Nevertheless it was frequently associated to Burseraceae, Leguminosae, Sapotaceae, Annonaceae, Chrysobalanaceae, Apocynaceae, Moraceae and Myristicaceae and species with thick bark like Schweilera coriacea, Protium sp. and Licania membranaceae. The species was less frequent with taller and broader trees and tended to develop in understory light condition. Trunks or branches were the main position for the attaching of H. flexuosa (90.83%) and a low frequency of other lianas was observed on the same host trees. These highlight the need to promote appropriate management practices for root harvesting and species conservation in order to maintain the species in open ombrophylus forest habitat.

In vitro acetylcholinesterase activity of peptide derivatives isolated from two species of Leguminosae

Context: Cratylia mollis Martius ex Benth. and Cenostigma macrophyllum Tul. (Leguminosae) are both endemic Brazilian plants and they are used by the natives as medicinal plants, and the leaves of C. mollis are also employed as forage for cattle during the dry season of region.Objective: Isolation of the compounds responsible for the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition from the CHCl3 active extract.Materials and methods: Two peptidic compounds were isolated by chromatographic techniques from the CHCl3 extract of the leaves of C. mollis and C. macrophyllum. They were identified by spectrometric data analysis (MS and NMR) and they were subjected to AChE inhibition employing Ellman’s test.Results: The peptides were identified as N-benzoylphenylalaninoyl-phenlyalaninolacetate (aurentiamide acetate) (1) and N-benzoylphenylalaninyl-N-benzoylphenylalaninate (2). Both peptides 1 and 2 exhibit AChE inhibition, with IC50 values equal to 111.34 µM and 137.6 µM, respectively.Discussion and conclusion: Compound 1 (aurentiamide acetate) has rarely been isolated from the Leguminosae family, and N-benzoylphenylalaninyl-N-benzoylphenylalaninate (2) is a compound that has never previously been isolated from this family. Compound 1 is shown to be a potent inhibitor of AChE, with IC50 values similar to the physostigmine control (141.51 µM).

A new species of Mycena sect. Sacchariferae from the Iberian cushion-shaped Genisteae

Mycena acanthophila, collected from several localities in Spain, is described as a new species. It specialises by growing on dead branches of two spiny, cushion-shaped species of Leguminosae. A complete description, drawings, and microphotographs showing the morphological characters are accompanied by comparisons with morphologically related taxa.

Characterization and host range of five tumorigenic Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains and possible application in plant transient transformation assays

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a Gram‐negative bacterium. It causes plants to produce crown gall disease because of the transfer, integration and expression of oncogenes encoded by the T‐DNA (transferred DNA) region of the tumour‐inducing (Ti) plasmid. A set of transferred genes directs the production of bacterial nutrients, called opines, formed by condensation of an amino acid and a keto acid or a sugar. Transformed cells synthesize and secrete substantial quantities of particular opines, which A. tumefaciens then uses as a carbon and sometimes nitrogen source. Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains are usually classified on the basis of the opines they can catabolize. Because of the ability to transfer DNA between different kingdoms, A. tumefaciens is also frequently used to generate transgenic plants. This study analyses five poorly characterized wildtype Agrobacterium strains, 1D1108, 1D1460, 1D132, 1D1478 and 1D1487, isolated from Euonymus, cane, cherry, Salix and apple, respectively. Partial Ti‐plasmid sequence analysis demonstrated that the five strains harbour the nopaline‐type Ti plasmid. Tumorigenesis and transient transformation assays of the five analysed and six wildtype A. tumefaciens strains were performed with selected plant species, including two or three species of Brassicaceae, Asteraceae, Solanaceae, Apiaceae and Leguminosae. The A. tumefaciens strains 1D1108, 1D1460 and 1D1478 showed higher transformation efficiencies than the previously characterized A. tumefaciens strains with several economically important crops. These data suggest the potential use of these newly characterized wildtype A. tumefaciens strains in transient transformation assays with certain plant species.