​Impact of Cluster Front Line Demonstrations on the Yield and Economics of Chickpea under National Food Security Mission in Bharatpur District of Rajasthan, India

Background: Chickpea is an important legume crop that plays an important role in the food and nutritional security of people in the developing countries and contributing to protein intake. It is a soil building crop and being a leguminous crop, it fixes atmospheric nitrogen through symbiotic fixation, there by helps in N cycling within the ecosystem. Methods: Cluster front line demonstrations of chickpea were conducted by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kumher, Bharatpur (Rajasthan) during Rabi season from 2016-17 to 2019-20. A total 350 front line demonstrations were conducted on chickpea in 140 ha area by the active participation of the farmers with the objective of improved technologies of chickpea production potentials. Result: The results of the demonstrations observed that on an average yield of chickpea under improved technology ranged from 11.83 to 17.52 q/ha with a mean of 14.47 q/ha; which was 20.95 per cent more yield as compared to farmer’s practices (11.97 q/ha). Moreover, average yield was also recorded higher under demonstration (14.47 q/ha) over district (8.17 q/ha) and State (10.74 q/ha) average. The study exhibited mean extension gap of 250.75 Kg/ha, mean technology gap of 627.75 kg/ha with mean technology index of 29.71 per cent. Higher mean net return of Rs. 46618/ha with mean B: C ratio of 3.10 was obtained with improved technologies in comparison to farmers’ practices (Rs. 36737/ha). The present study resulted to convincing the farming community for higher productivity and returns.

SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS AND UTILIZATION LEVEL OF COMMUNICATION MEDIA IN IMPROVED CULTIVATION PRACTICES OF PULSES BY THE FARMERS OF PURNIA DISTRICT IN BIHAR

The present study is an attempt to assess the socio-economic characteristics and utilization level of communication media in improved cultivation practices of pulses by the farmers of Purnia district in Bihar. Pulse cultivation is not prominent in this area however a large no. of farmers cultivate leguminous crop, due to availability of information or communication channel farmers were receiving proper information about practices. Primary data from 120 farmers were collected through face to face interviews. Descriptive research design had been used for the present study. Random and Purposive sampling had been used for the present study Farmers had a highest utilization in Friend, neighbor and relatives (83.34%), Followed by radio whose utilization percentage by farmers were 75%. 48.33% of farmers had Medium level of utilization Followed by 29.16% of farmers had high level utilization about improved cultivation practices of pulses.

Experimental Investigation of the Functional and Proximate Properties of Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan) Using Fermentation Process

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan) is a leguminous crop rich in protein and widely cultivated in Nigeria but underutilized due to high anti-nutritional properties. Several processing methods such as fermentation using non-pathogenic micro fungi have been used to address these problems. This study evaluated the effect of fermentation on the functional and proximate properties of pigeon pea using Rhizopus species. The following ranges of values were obtained for bulk density, water absorption, oil absorption and swelling capacities (0.74-0.98g/ml; 71.67-189.00%; 120.00-205.00%; 6.81-10.93g/ml), respectively. Values of proximate composition were in ranges of 6.67-7.87, 16.09-22.09, 2.83-4.00, 0.84-1.23,1.33- 2.00 and 65.47- 71.35% for moisture, protein, ash, fat, fibre and carbohydrate contents, respectively. Improvement in functional and proximate properties of fermented pigeon pea flour were observed. Hence, it can also serve as functional and supplement ingredients in different food formulations.

Soybean Productivity Depending On The Elements Of Organic Cultivation Technology In The Short-Term Crop Rotation Of Ukrainian Polissia

Over the past decades, intensive farming has operated under conditions of progressive degradation of the soil cover, maintaining production levels only at the expense of inadequate expenditure of non-renewable energy resources. The soils have acquired irreversible excessive compaction in the sub-arable part of the profile, and the dehumification has acquired a threatening status. The humus content in the soils of Ukraine decreased by almost 25%, and the average annual losses amount to 0.6-0.7 t/ha. Therefore, the search for ways to guarantee the reproduction of soil organic matter, reliable control and restoration of the optimal humus status is extremely relevant. The purpose of the study is to activate natural nitrogen-fixing systems using a mix of green manure and by-products of agricultural crops of short-term leguminous crop rotation. Field experiments were conducted on light grey soils during 2018-2020 in the experimental field of Polissia National University in a leguminous short-term rotation system. This study uses general scientific methods to establish the area of research, plan and lay experiments, conduct observations and analysis; visual – during the implementation of phenological observations; field – to study the relationship with abiotic factors; physiological – to determine the symbiotic effectiveness of preparations of biological origin. The technology of growing agricultural crops in leguminous crop rotation, which ensures the supply of raw materials of organic origin and the accumulation of air nitrogen by root nodule bacteria, has been theoretically substantiated and improved. It is established that one hectare of crop rotation area receives 6.8 tonnes of dry organic raw materials, which corresponds to 78.3 kg/ha of biological nitrogen. It is found out that inoculation of soybean seeds with a preparation of biological origin – Optimise 400, and treatment of soybean crops at BBCH microstages 60-63 with a complex microfertiliser on a chelated basis Nanovit Super+Magnesium Sulphate contributes to the active development of nodule bacteria, the number and weight of which is 81-89 pcs per plant and 510-572 kg/ha. Thus, the active symbiotic potential was 34.2-38.9 thousand kg/day. It is proved that during the growing season soybeans generate 357-400 kg/ha of biological nitrogen in the air, which provides a seed yield of 2.96-2.64 t/ha and leaves 117-160 kg/ha of nitrogen in the soil. The practical value of this study lies in the possibility of enriching the soil with organic matter and the biological form of nitrogen

Studying the Genetic Diversity of Yam Bean Using a New Draft Genome Assembly

Yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus Rich. Ex DC.) is an underutilized leguminous crop which has been used as a food source across central America and Asia. It is adapted to a range of environments and is closely related to major leguminous food crops, offering the potential to understand the genetic basis of environmental adaptation, and it may be used as a source of novel genes and alleles for the improvement of other legumes. Here, we assembled a draft genome of P. erosus of 460 Mbp in size containing 37,886 gene models. We used this assembly to compare three cultivars each of P. erosus and the closely related P. tuberosus and identified 10,187,899 candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The SNP distribution reflects the geographic origin and morphology of the individuals.

Assessing Yield Response and Relationship of Soil Boron Fractions with Its Accumulation in Sorghum and Cowpea under Boron Fertilization in Different Soil Series

Boron (B) is an essential micronutrient in the growth of reproductive plant parts. Its deficiency and/or toxicity are widespread in arid and semi-arid soils with low clay contents. This study was planned to determine the response of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L., non-leguminous crop) and cowpea (Vigna sinensis L., leguminous crop) to boron (0, 2, 4, and 16 µg g−1) on four distinct soil series from Punjab, Pakistan i.e., Udic Haplustalf (Pindorian region), Typic Torrifluvent (Shahdra region), Halic Camborthid (Khurianwala region), and Udic Haplustalf (Gujranwala region). Overall, there was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in yield between the sorghum (3.8 to 5.5 g pot−1 of 5 kg dry soil) and cowpea (0.2 to 3.2 g pot−1 of 5 kg dry soil) in response to B application. The highest yield was observed in both sorghum and cowpea either in control or at 2 µg g−1 B application in all four soils. Cowpea showed the same yield trend in all four soils (i.e., an increase in yield at 2 µg g−1 B application, followed by a significant decrease at the higher B levels). In contrast, sorghum exhibited greater variability of response on different soils; Udic Haplustalf (Pindorian region) produced the greatest yield at low levels of B application. However, Halic Camborthid produced its lowest yield at that level. Boron concentration in shoots increased with the levels of B application, particularly in sorghum. In cowpea, the plant growth was extremely retarded—and most of the plants died at higher levels of B application even if a lower concentration of B was measured within the shoot. Hot water-extractable B was the most available fraction for cowpea (R2 = 0.96), whereas the easily exchangeable B was most available for sorghum (R2 = 0.90). Overall, these results have implications for micronutrient uptake for both leguminous and non-leguminous crops.

A systematic review of sweet potato-derived nutritional products for athletes

The sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lamarck syn. Convolvulus batatas L.) is a perennial, herbaceous climber with tuberous edible roots, and is a major leguminous crop of global importance with widespread applicability and economic value of its products in the global market. The aim of the presented investigations was to review the experimental articles and patents referring to the application of sweet potato-based nutritional products for athletes published in the period 2000–2020. Altogether, 69 patents and 12 experimental articles were included in the analysis. The statistical analysis showed that similar number of inventions was patented in periods 2000–2005, 2006–2010, 2011–2015 and 2016–2020. Generally, the inventors patented food supplements in different forms (e.g. bars, beverages, powders, snacks, tablets). Other authors invented methods of extraction and application of sweet potato constituents such as carbohydrates (i.a. slowly digestible starch) and polyphenols (i.a. anthocyanins). The empirical articles evidenced wide acceptability of sweet potato products due to their beneficial effects on health and performance such as improvement of cardiopulmonatory functions, prolongation of physical performance and recovery from fatigue. Despite growing interest in the application of sweet potato constituents in nutritional products for athletes, further investigations are highly desirable.

Alkaloids of narrow-leaved lupine as a factor determining alternative ways of the crop’s utilization and breeding

Narrow-leaved lupine (Lupinus angustifolius L.), a valuable leguminous crop adapted to a wide range of climatic conditions, has a very short history of domestication. For many centuries it was used mainly as a green manure, since the success and prospects of the multi-purpose use of the species depend on its breeding improvement, in particular, on a particular concentration of alkaloids in seeds and green mass. The first varieties of scientific breeding were created only in the 1930s after the appearance of low-alkaloid mutants. Despite wide prospects for use in various areas of the national economy, unstable productivity and susceptibility to diseases hinder the production of this crop. Obviously, breeders deal only with a small part of the gene pool of the species and limited genetic resources, using mainly low-alkaloid (sweet) genotypes to create new varieties. The genetic potential of the species can be used more efficiently. At the same time, it is rational to create highly alkaloid (bitter) varieties for green manure, while food and feed varieties should not lose their adaptive potential, in particular, resistance to pathogens, due to the elimination of alkaloids. In this regard, it seems to be a productive idea to create ‘bitter/sweet’ varieties combining a high content of alkaloids in the vegetative organs and low in seeds, which can be achieved by regulating the synthesis/transport of alkaloids in the plant. The paper discusses the current state of use of the species as a green manure, fodder, food plant. Information is given on the quantity and qualitative composition of narrow-leaved lupine alkaloids, their applied value, in particular, fungicidal, antibacterial, insecticidal, the use of lupine alkaloids as active principles of drugs. Along with promising breeding considerations, the possibility of using technologies for processing raw high-alkaloid materials with the accompanying extraction of valuable ingredients for pharmaceuticals is discussed. Information is briefly presented about the genomic resources of the species and the prospects for their use in marker-assistant selection and genome editing.

Effect of microwave treatment on cooking time, colour, sensory and nutritional properties of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea)

Bambara groundnut is a leguminous crop that currently experiences a low level of utilisation because it is hard-to-cook and difficulty to dehull. In this study, the effects of different microwaving power of 450, 500, 600 and 750 W and time (0, 30, 60, 120 and 240 s) on cooking time, colour, sensory and nutritional properties of Bambara groundnut using standard methods were investigated. Microwaving generally reduced the cooking time of Bambara groundnut. The cooking time reduced by approximately 28, 46, 52 and 55% when Bambara groundnut was microwaved at 450, 500, 600 and 750 W for 240 s, respectively. Microwaving did not significantly (p&gt;0.05) affect the colour and appearance of the grain. Bambara groundnut had similar lightness values (60.66-63.15), but slightly different a (3.38-5.57) and b values (16.16-19.20) after microwaving. Protein (23.90-26.88%) and carbohydrate (47.85-58.58%) were the major components of raw and microwaved grains. Microwaved grains showed higher digestibility values (approx. 78-85%) compared to the raw Bambara groundnut (approx. 71%). Mean sensory scores revealed that Bambara groundnut microwaved at 600 W for 240 s had comparable acceptability with the control sample. Microwaving can be used to reduce cooking time of Bambara groundnut, improve protein content and digestibility without significantly altering the sensory properties.