​Effects of Leonardite Application on Yield of Broad Beans (Vicia faba L.) under Low Input Rainfed Semi-arid Mediterranean Highland Condition of Turkey

Background: This study was conducted to determine the effects of different doses of leonardite applications on yield and some yield components of spring grown broad beans (Vicia faba L.) in the ecological conditions of Siirt province in 2017 and 2019 in the experimental fields of Siirt University. Methods: The study was established in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Tested leonardite doses were 0, 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 kg ha-1. Conclusion: The effect of leonardite doses on all of the investigated properties was found statistically significant. According to the results, plant height, first pod height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, 100 grain weight and grain yields were varied between 45.7-61.3 cm, 10.1-13.2 cm, 5.03-8.00 pieces per plant, 2.63-4.03 pieces per pod, 115.6-131.7 g and 1659-1808 kg ha-1, respectively. In terms of all examined properties in this research, 1000 kg ha-1 leonardite application produced the best result. According to the results obtained from this research, 1000 kg ha-1 leonardite application was recommended for broad bean cultivation in the semi-arid Mediterranean climate conditions on highlands.

Fight or Flight? Alternative Defense of the Pea Aphids, Acyrthosiphon pisum on Different Host Plants

Non-immunological responses are important alternative strategies for animals to deal with pathogens. It has long been recognized that fecundity compensation and production of winged offspring are two common non-immunological responses used by aphids when confronted with predators or pathogens. However, the effects of host plant on these responses have received little attention. This study investigated the effects of host plant on non-immunological defense in the pea aphids, Acyrthosiphon pisum, after bacterial and fungal infections. The aphids were raised in two groups, with one group being raised on broad beans and the other group being raised on alfalfa. The secondary symbiont background was examined, and the aphids were then infected with bacteria and fungus to assess fecundity and winged offspring production. We found that aphids that had been fed alfalfa had fewer offspring than those fed broad beans. Alfalfa-fed aphids produced more winged offspring in response to S. aureus and B. bassiana infections. Our findings suggest that the host plant plays a key role in fecundity and winged offspring production in pea aphid colony.

Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Scores (DIAAS) of Six Cooked Chinese Pulses

Values for the digestible indispensable amino acid score (DIAAS) of a protein are based on true ileal amino acid (AA) digestibility values obtained in adult humans or in the growing pig as an animal model. An experiment was conducted using growing pigs to determine the true ileal digestibility (TID) values of AA in six cooked Chinese pulses (kidney bean, mung bean, adzuki bean, broad beans, peas and chickpeas). Each pulse was included in a diet as the only source of crude protein (CP). An N-free diet was given to allow determination of gut endogenous AA losses. Seven growing pigs each fitted with a T-cannula at the terminal ileum were allotted to a 7 by 6 incomplete Latin square with seven diets and six 7-d periods. The true digestibility values % for the total indispensable AA were higher (p < 0.001) for broad beans (87.3 ± 2.98) and lower (p < 0.001) for kidney bean (73.3 ± 4.84) than for the other pulses. For the older child (over 3 years), adolescent and adult, the DIAAS (%) was 88 for kidney bean, 86 for mung bean, 76 for chickpeas, 68 for peas, 64 for adzuki bean and 60 for broad beans.

Symbolic meaning and use of broad beans in traditional foods of the Mediterranean Basin and the Middle East

Broad beans (Vicia faba L.) are rarely consumed in Northern Europe and in the USA, whereas they are constantly present in the culinary habits of the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries. This grain legume is characterized by interesting nutritional properties because of high levels of complex carbohydrates, proteins, and dietary fiber, coupled with a low content of saturated lipids and the presence of several bioactive compounds. However, broad beans are much more than a cheap source of nutrients. Among the oldest domesticated legumes, they have also a cultural value linked to an ancient symbolic meaning. Generally associated with funerary rituals, broad beans have also a positive significance being “dead” seeds with a regenerative capacity. This review focuses on the social symbolism of broad bean consumption and its associated rituals. Furthermore, the culinary habits related to this legume are analyzed along different Mediterranean and Middle Eastern countries, from Egypt to Iran. Soups, thick gruels, and purees were found to be by far the most common culinary preparations. Using the Egyptian ful medames as a model, the study highlights a link between broad bean–based dishes in different countries, which arises from similar environmental conditions and from cultural interactions along trade routes. Enhancing the knowledge of these ethnic legume-based foods could improve the diet of Western countries by increasing the consumption of legumes.

Genetic diversity of broad beans (Vicia faba) in the collection of the Vavilov Institute and its use in breeding

The paper presents brief information about the history of the collection of broad (horse) beans (Vicia faba L.) at the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR), its composition, research trends, and significance for domestic breeding. The collection started in 1916 with Vavilov’s collecting activities in the Pamirs. Currently, the collection consists of 1733 accessions from 67 countries, obtained from foreign genebanks through germplasm exchange and seed requests, received from domestic and foreign breeders, and collected in numerous expeditions. Broad beans are used for food (vegetable) and feed; they are adapted to a wide range of latitudes and altitudes. A larger part of the collection is represented by fodder accessions. The main principle whereupon the collection is being augmented is the priorities of domestic breeding. The paper provides information on the botanical, environmental and geographical diversity of VIR’s broad bean collection, its level of studiedness, current research issues, and the use of the collection in the breeding process. The crop’s biological traits, characteristics of vegetable and fodder accessions, current breeding trends and source material for breeding are described. A brief analysis of the current status of broad bean breeding in Russia and VIR’s contribution to this process is presented, including the Institute’s direct involvement in the development of several cultivars of both feed and food uses. Presently, 30 broad bean cultivars are listed in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation, and 28 of them are the products of domestic breeding.

Influence of pulsed electromagnetic field as a pre-sowing treatment on germination, plant growth and yield of broad beans

Magnetic field is a variable abiotic factor, like temperature, air, soil and water that interacts with the living organisms. The use of different types of magnetic field at many different plant species is increasing and the results are promising. A two-year field experiment was established following a completely randomized design, to investigate the effect of pre-sowing magnetic field treatment for 0, 15, 30 and 45 min on three broad bean varieties. The obtained results showed that the treatment of seeds with pulsed electromagnetic field increased germination percentage, chlorophyll content, leaf area, photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, stomatal conductance and dry weight. In general, the exposure of seeds for 15 min, gave the highest values compared to the control treatments for the three varieties used. A very interesting result is the fact that although there was an influence of the exposure of magnetic field on the dry weight of the plants, there was not a positive or a negative influence on the seed yield for both years. This means that magnetic field enhanced the vegetative development of the broad beans, but it had no effect on the reproductive development. The results indicate that magnetic field can be used in the cases that the productive direction of the cultivation of broad beans is for livestock forage and silage, as the pre-sowing treatment of seeds had a positive effect on plant dry weight. *** In press - Online First. Article has been peer reviewed, accepted for publication and published online without pagination. The article is to be paginated when the complete issue will be ready for publishing (Volume 48, Issue 3, 2020). The article is searchable and citable by Digital Object Identifier (DOI). DOI link will become active after the article will be included in the complete issue.