旱作区环保型材料覆盖对马铃薯生长的影响及其降解特性

2015年在宁夏南部旱作区进行了垄上覆盖普通地膜结合内覆盖不同材料(普通地膜、玉米秸秆、生物降解膜、麻地膜及液体地膜)的降解特性及其土壤水温效应对马铃薯生长的影响研究。结果表明,不同覆盖材料对马铃薯生育期土壤水温状况的调节作用表现为:生物降解膜覆盖处理0~25 cm土层平均土壤温度较不覆盖处理(对照)提高1.4℃,而秸秆和液态地膜覆盖处理在整个生育期分别低于对照1.5℃和0.7℃;地膜和秸秆覆盖处理在马铃薯生育期具有较强保墒作用,地膜、秸秆、生物降解膜、麻地膜覆盖处理下0~200 cm土层平均土壤贮水量较对照分别增加5.1%、6.2%、3.7%、3.1%;在生育前期,地膜、生物降解膜和秸秆覆盖处理植株株高及茎粗显著高于对照,而生育中后期麻地膜和秸秆覆盖处理显著高于对照,在整个生育期液体地膜覆盖处理马铃薯生长与不覆盖无差异。地膜、秸秆和麻地膜覆盖处理下马铃薯增产显著,分别较对照增产34.3%、56.1%、11.3%;秸秆、地膜和液态膜覆盖处理商品薯率分别较对照提高4.7%、3.4%、3.0%,以秸秆覆盖处理的纯收益最高(19 676.1元·hm-2)。在马铃薯收获期液态地膜可完全降解,70%以上麻地膜发生降解,生物降解膜次之。覆盖秸秆措施通过调节土壤水温状况可实现增产增收,是宁南旱区马铃薯覆盖栽培的有效措施。     

生物降解膜降解、保墒增温性能及对玉米生长发育进程的影响

通过3年试验,研究生物降解膜降解、增温保墒性能及全覆盖双垄沟播玉米苗期0~25 cm土壤温度动态和对玉米生长发育进程的影响,明确生物降解膜在生产中对普通农用地膜的可替代性。结果表明,生物降解地膜埋入土壤约30 d左右可以观测到降解效果,40 d以后开始快速降解,到80~90 d时降解可达到85%~95%,种植地膜玉米后,压入土壤或地膜上有土覆盖的部分同样有明显的降解效果,而垄上的地膜在玉米收后绝大部分仍与常规膜一样保持完好;生物降解膜保墒性能达普通农用地膜的90.4%~95.4%;作物生育前期0~25 cm土层08∶30、14∶30和20∶30平均温度比普通农用地膜低0.85℃,比露地高1.91℃;生物降解膜全覆盖双垄沟播玉米比裸地平作出苗提前5~9 d,成熟期提前11~12 d。生物降解地膜具有一定的增温、保墒作用,降低生产成本后,可在一定程度上替代不能降解的普通农用地膜。     

生物可降解地膜覆盖对干旱灌区玉米产量和水分利用效率的影响

为探索生物可降解地膜在河西干旱灌区的增温保水和增产效应,于2014年3-10月在甘肃省黄羊镇甘肃农业大学试验站进行田间试验,研究不同覆盖材料(普通地膜、生物可降解地膜、秸秆和无覆盖)对玉米产量和水分利用效率(WUE)的影响.试验结果表明,普通地膜覆盖和生物可降解地膜覆盖表层土壤温度较无覆盖分别提高1.2℃和0.9℃,秸秆覆盖较无覆盖降低0.4℃;玉米生育期土壤贮水量由高到低依次为普通地膜覆盖、生物可降解地膜覆盖、秸秆覆盖和无覆盖;与无覆盖相比,普通地膜覆盖、生物可降解地膜覆盖和秸秆覆盖玉米净光合速率分别提高32.68％、28.04％和9.33％,玉米籽粒产量分别提高14.84％、13.70％和8.35％,WUE分别提高25.52％、22.26％和13.75％.综上所述,从增温保水、增产和环保方面长远考虑,生物可降解地膜环保无污染,有利于环境和农业生态系统可持续发展,适合在该地区推广应用.     

渭北旱塬不同覆盖材料对旱作农田土壤水分及春玉米产量的影响

为了探索半湿润区沟垄覆盖栽培条件下春玉米田的蓄墒效果和增产增收效应,2009—2010年在渭北旱塬采用普通地膜、生物降解膜和液态膜,设置了不同沟垄覆盖栽培模式,连续2a对土壤水分、产量和经济效益进行分析研究。结果表明,在玉米全生育期,普通地膜和生物降解膜能有效改善土壤的水分利用状况。与传统平作(对照)相比,普通地膜和生物降解膜覆盖处理,0~200 cm土壤平均贮水量分别增加了9.2%和8.6%,液态膜覆盖表现不稳定。2 a玉米平均产量普通地膜和生物降解膜分别较对照提高19.23%和17.82%(P<0.05),水分利用效率平均提高21.49%和20.25%;经济效益以普通地膜和生物降解膜最高,2 a平均纯收益分别较对照增收22.09%和20.44%,而液态膜处理的产量、水分利用效率及经济效益与对照均无显著差异。可见,覆盖生物降解膜和普通地膜有良好的蓄水保墒效果,显著增加了作物产量和水分利用效率,因此生物降解膜可以代替普通地膜应用于农业生产。     

半干旱区地表覆盖方式对土壤水温效应及玉米产量的影响

为探索吉林省半干旱区水分高效利用、玉米增产的栽培技术模式,采用不同覆盖材料进行为期4 a(2018—2021年)的大田试验,设置无覆盖(CK)、普通地膜覆盖(CM)、降解地膜覆盖(DM)和秸秆覆盖(SM) 4个处理,研究不同覆盖方式对土壤水分、土壤温度、玉米生长发育及产量和水分利用效率的影响。结果表明：玉米生育期内土壤贮水量时空变化与当年的降雨时空分配有关,垂直空间上20～60 cm土层土壤贮水量显著高于0～20 cm,处理间土壤贮水量SM>CM>DM>CK;耕层0～20 cm土壤温度随玉米生育时期推进呈先升后降的变化趋势,随土层深度的增加逐渐降低,降低幅度呈CM>SM>DM>CK的变化趋势。地表覆盖具有调节土壤温度的作用,与CK相比,CM和DM使5、6月土壤温度分别提升2.12、1.71℃和2.07、1.52℃,SM下降了1.72、1.01℃;与5、6月气温相比,地膜覆盖每日土壤温度较气温提升2.2～3.2℃,秸秆覆盖降低0.3～0.6℃,8、9月覆盖土壤温度下降幅度低于气温;与无覆盖(CK)相比,CM和DM处理4 a平均增产8.59%和14.10...     

植物纤维地膜的土壤水热及作物产量效应

为了寻找塑料地膜的替代产品,解决应用塑料地膜造成的严重农田污染问题,对一种植物纤维地膜进行了玉米田间覆盖试验研究。结果表明,植物纤维地膜在玉米苗期具有显著的增温保墒作用,有利于保全苗,促进玉米的生长发育,显著提高玉米产量和水分利用效率。与露地相比,覆盖植物纤维地膜在不同测定时期内可提高土壤温度0.5℃～1.7℃,增加土壤含水量1.4%～6.1%;提高产量10.8%。植物纤维地膜覆盖8周后抗张强度损失率接近90%,120 d后地表残留量基本为零,表明该膜具有很好的降解性。     

河西绿洲灌区玉米产量对生物可降解地膜保水增温作用的响应

通过连续2 a田间定位试验,研究不同覆盖处理(普通地膜覆盖、生物可降解地膜覆盖、秸秆覆盖和无覆盖)对玉米种植增温、保湿作用和产量的影响。结果表明:不同覆盖处理增温次序为普通地膜覆盖生物可降解地膜覆盖无覆盖秸秆覆盖;普通地膜覆盖、生物可降解地膜覆盖和秸秆覆盖的2 a玉米各生育时期土壤贮水量平均比无覆盖高24.7mm、19.9mm和13.1 mm;与无覆盖相比,普通地膜覆盖、生物可降解地膜覆盖和秸秆覆盖的2a平均玉米籽粒产量分别提高11.55%、9.53%和4.70%,WUE分别提高17.35%、14.11%和8.22%,经济效益分别提高11.81%、8.60%和5.05%。综合考虑产量和水分利用,生物可降解地膜的增温保湿和增产效果低于普通地膜,但是生物可降解地膜有利于农业生态系统的可持续发展,从长远生态效益考虑,今后应推广使用。     

不同降解膜覆盖对土壤水热与玉米生长的影响

为进一步研究验证不同降解地膜的田间应用效果,在大田条件下以露地栽培为对照,进行了可降解地膜H(江苏淮安产,降解周期120 d)、可降解地膜T(台湾产,降解周期120 d)和普通地膜覆盖玉米栽培试验,探讨不同地膜覆盖对土壤水分和温度、玉米生长发育、产量及相关性状的影响。结果表明,与露地对照相比,可降解地膜H覆盖能够明显提高玉米生育前中期(播种至大喇叭口期)0~60 cm土壤水分含量,提高播种后63 d内地下10、20 cm土壤温度,具有较好的土壤保墒、增温、保温作用;而可降解地膜T在玉米生育前期(播种至拔节期)作用较好,到玉米生育中期(大喇叭口期)其作用已经减弱。可降解地膜H和T覆盖均使玉米出苗率提高,分别为95.8%、95.3%,露地为93.6%;生育进程加快,生育期分别比露地缩短12 d、8 d;可降解地膜H覆盖能明显促进玉米中后期地上部干物质的积累,株高、茎粗及叶面积增加,穗部性状改善,秃尖缩短,穗粒数和千粒重增加,比露地增产40.7%,而可降解地膜T的覆盖效果(增产14.3%)虽然优于露地对照,但要差于H和普通地膜(增产39.5%)。研究认为,可降解地膜H的覆盖效果与普通地膜相当,而可降解地膜T的覆盖效果次之。在生产中应用可降解地膜,应根据当地环境条件进行选择。     

生物降解地膜降解性能对南疆土壤温湿度及棉花产量的影响

以普通聚乙烯(PE)地膜为对照,研究了棉田3种成分含量不同的聚对苯二甲酸-己二酸丁二醇酯(PBAT)生物降解地膜(A、B1和B2)的降解过程,分析了生物降解地膜对土壤温度、土壤含水量、棉花生长和产量的影响。结果显示:不同类型降解地膜的降解速率不同,降解速率排序为B1AB2;在棉花生育前期,生物降解地膜膜面保持完整,保温保墒效果差异不显著,但随着降解地膜的膜面降解破裂,膜下土壤温度和含水量开始降低,在棉花生育后期,生物降解地膜比普通地膜的土壤日均温低0.5℃～1.5℃,土壤含水量低2%～3%;A和B2生物降解地膜降解时间较早,使棉花生育中期生长受限,籽棉减产22.47%和23.06%,而B1生物降解地膜处理的棉花生育期与普通PE地膜基本一致,籽棉增产0.89%。B1生物降解膜具有较好的棉田覆盖应用潜力,较适用于南疆棉花种植。     

不同覆盖材料下土壤水温效应对玉米前期生长的影响

本研究旨在比较盆栽与大田试验条件下不同覆盖材料的土壤调温保湿效果,为选择农业环保型覆盖材料提供理论依据。2014和2015年分别设置盆栽试验和大田试验,覆盖塑料地膜(DM)、液体地膜(YM)、麻地膜(MM)及秸秆(JM)等4种材料,以不覆盖处理为对照(CK),分析了不同覆盖材料对土壤水温状况及玉米前期生长的影响。结果表明:麻地膜覆盖对玉米生育前期0~20 cm土层土壤的保水保墒效果最好,秸秆覆盖处理次之,麻地膜覆盖和秸秆覆盖处理玉米出苗至大喇叭口期平均土壤贮水量分别较对照显著提高29.0%和26.6%。覆盖不同材料的调温作用:2014年盆栽试验玉米拔节期各处理升温效果表现为MMDMJMYMCK,大喇叭口期其降温效果表现为MMJMCKDMYM;2015年大田试验玉米拔节期各处理升温效果表现为CKDMMMYMJM,大喇叭口期其降温效果表现为CKDMMMJMYM。麻地膜覆盖处理促进了玉米前期的生长,比不覆盖处理提前10~11 d进入大喇叭口期,玉米株高、茎粗、叶面积及生物量分别较对照显著提高48.3%、27.5%、158.2%和63.5%。     

Dermestid beetles in ‘evolution Canyon’, lower Nahal Oren, Mt. Carmel, including new records for Israel

Fifteen species of dermestid beetles were recorded at ‘Evolution Canyon’ (EC), Lower Nahal Oren, Mt. Carmel, Israel. They represent ~35% of known Israeli dermestid species. The following three species were recorded for the first time in Israel:Trogoderma svriaca Dalla Torre, 1911;Ctesias svriaca Ganglbauer, 1904; andAnthrenus (s.str.) jordaniens Pic, 1934. Adults of 13 species were collected on the more solar radiated, warmer and climatically more fluctuating south-facing slope (SFS); ten species were collected on the opposite, north-facing slope (NFS), which was cooler and climatically more stable. The abundance of adult dermestid beetles was 1.9 times higher on the SFS than on the NFS (86 and 47, respectively). Species richness and abundance distribution at EC (three collecting stations on each slope and one at the valley bottom) were significantly negatively correlated with the plant cover that consisted of trees and bushes (Spearmanr _s ,P=0.007 and 0.039, respectively) and perennials (Spearmanr _s ,P=0.039 and 0.077, respectively), indicating that non-woody plants were preferred by adult dermestid beetles.     

Hymenopteran Parasitoids on Fruit-infesting Tephritidae (Diptera) in Latin America and the Southern United States: Diversity, Distribution, Taxonomic Status and their use in Fruit Fly Biological Control

We first discuss the diversity of fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) parasitoids (Hymenoptera) of the Neotropics. Even though the emphasis is on Anastrepha parasitoids, we also review all the information available on parasitoids attacking flies in the genera Ceratitis, Rhagoletis, Rhagoletotrypeta, Toxotrypana and Zonosemata. We center our analysis in parasitoid guilds, parasitoid assemblage size and fly host profiles. We also discuss distribution patterns and the taxonomic status of all known Anastrepha parasitoids. We follow by providing a historical overview of biological control of pestiferous tephritids in Latin American and Florida (U.S.A.) and by analyzing the success or failure of classical and augmentative biological control programs implemented to date in these regions. We also discuss the lack of success of introductions of exotic fruit fly parasitoids in various Latin American countries. We finish by discussing the most pressing needs related to fruit fly biological control (classical, augmentative, and conservation modalities) in areas of the Neotropics where fruit fly populations severely restrict the development of commercial fruit growing. We also address the need for much more intensive research on the bioecology of native fruit fly parasitoids.     

Diagnostics,genetic diversity and pathogenic variation of ascochyta blight of cool season food and feed legumes

Molecular diagnostic techniques have been developed to differentiate the Ascochyta pathogens that infect cool season food and feed legumes, as well as to improve the sensitivity of detecting latent infection in plant tissues. A seed sampling technique was developed to detect a 1% level of infection by Ascochyta rabiei in commercial chickpea seed. The Ascochyta pathogens were shown to be genetically diverse in countries where the pathogen and host have coexisted for a long time. However, where the pathogen was recently introduced, such as A. rabiei to Australia, the level of diversity remained relatively low, even as the pathogen spread to all chickpea-growing areas. Pathogenic variability of A. rabiei and Ascochyta pinodes pathogens in chickpea and field pea respectively, appears to be quantitative, where measures of disease severity were based on aggressiveness (quantitative level of infection) rather than on true qualitative virulence. In contrast, qualitative differences in pathogenicity in lentil and faba bean genotypes indicated the existence of pathotypes of Ascochyta lentis and Ascochyta fabae. Therefore, reports of pathotype discrimination based on quantitative differences in pathogenicity in a set of specific genotypes is questionable for several of the ascochyta-legume pathosystems such as A. rabiei and A. pinodes. This is not surprising since host resistance to these pathogens has been reported to be mainly quantitative, making it difficult for the pathogen to overcome specific resistance genes and form pathotypes. For robust pathogenicity assessment, there needs to be consistency in selection of differential host genotypes, screening conditions and disease evaluation techniques for each of the Ascochyta sp. in legume-growing countries throughout the world. Nevertheless, knowledge of pathotype diversity and aggressiveness within populations is important in the selection of resistant genotypes.     

Epidemiology of Toxigenic Fungi and their Associated Mycotoxins for Some Mediterranean Crops

Recent data on the epidemiology of the common mycotoxigenic species of Fusarium, Alternaria, Aspergillus and Penicillium in infected or colonized plants, and in stored or processed plant products from the Mediterranean area are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on the toxigenicity of the causal fungal species and the natural occurrence of well known mycotoxins (aflatoxins, ochratoxins, fumonisins, trichothecenes, zearalenone, patulin, Alternaria-toxins and moniliformin), as well as some more recently described compounds (fusaproliferin, beauvericin) whose toxigenic potential is not yet well understood. Several Fusarium species reported from throughout the Mediterranean area are responsible of the formation of mycotoxins in infected plants and in plant products, including: Fusarium graminearum, F. culmorum, F. cerealis, F. avenaceum, F. sporotrichioides and F. poae, which produce deoxynivalenol, nivalenol, fusarenone, zearalenone, moniliformin, and T-2 toxin derivatives in wheat and other small grains affected by head blight or scab, and in maize affected by red ear rot. Moreover, strains of F. verticillioides, F. proliferatum, and F. subglutinans, that form fumonisins, beauvericin, fusaproliferin, and moniliformin, are commonly associated with maize affected by ear rot. Fumonisins, were also associated with Fusarium crown and root rot of asparagus and Fusarium endosepsis of figs, caused primarily by F. proliferatum. Toxigenic A. alternata strains and associated tenuazonic acid and alternariols were commonly found in black mould of tomato, black rot of olive and citrus, black point of small cereals, and black mould of several vegetables. Toxigenic strains of A. carbonarius and ochratoxin A were often found associated with black rot of grapes, whereas toxigenic strains of A. flavus and/or P. verrucosum, forming aflatoxins and ochratoxin A, respectively, were found in moulded plant products from small cereals, peanuts, figs, pea, oilseed rape, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, pistachios, and almonds. Finally, toxigenic strains of P. expansum and patulin were frequently found in apple, pear and other fresh fruits affected by blue mould rot, as well as in derived juices and jams.     

Brief Guide for Authors

正Journal of Arid Land(JAL)is an international journal(ISSN 1674-6767;CN 65-1278/K)for the natural sciences,sponsored by the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography,Chinese Academy of Sciences and Science Press.It is published by Science Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg bimonthly.JAL publishes original,innovative,and integrative research from arid and semiarid regions,ad     

The parasitoid complex ofLiriomyza cicerina on chickpea (Cicer arietinum)

Liriomyza cicerina (Diptera: Agromyzidae) is an important pest on chickpea in Turkey. The objective of this study was to determine the parasitoids and rates of parasitism ofL. cicerina on chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) during the 2005 and 2006 seasons in ?anl?urfa province, Turkey. Leaves with mines were sampled weekly and kept in the laboratory to observe and count emerging leafminer and parasitoid adults. Eight parasitoid species were collected: the braconidsOpius monilicornis Fischer andOpius tersus Foerster and the eulophidsDiaulinopsis arenaria (Erdös) andNeochrysocharis formosa (Westwood), which occurred in both the winter and summer seasons;Diglyphus crassinervis Erdös,Neochrysocharis ambitiosa Hansson,Neochrysocharis sericea (Erdös) andPediobius metallicus (Nees), which occurred only in the summer growing areas.Diaulinopsis arenaria was the predominant parasitoid with 4–7.7% parasitism rate whileN. ambitiosa andO. monilicornis were the second and third most predominant species. The results of these trials show that sinceDia. arenaria occurred throughout every season, it could potentially be used for control of the leafminerL. cicerina.     

Plant–herbivore asynchrony necessitates augmentative releases of the exotic beetle,Zygogramma bicolorata,to enhance the biological control of P arthenium hysterophorus

Systematic information on the quantitative impact of Z ygogramma bicolorata on the biology of P arthenium hysterophorus is crucial as the seeds of this weed continue to germinate from the accumulated soil seed bank throughout the year in the form of different germinating flushes, while the activity of the beetle ceases during winter as it enters diapause. Therefore, plant–herbivore interactions need to be explored to develop predictions of the overall impact of the introduced beetle on the weed. The findings revealed that defoliation by Z . bicolorata had a significant impact on the plant height, density and flower production in flushes F ₃, F ₄ and F ₅, but not in F ₁ and F ₂ that exhibited longer periodicity, profuse branching, a longer flowering period and maximum flower production and contributed mostly to the existing seed soil bank. Therefore, total depletion of the existing soil seed bank was not possible. Consequently, the effect of augmentative field releases of laboratory‐reared beetles was explored on F ₁ and F ₂ in February for three consecutive years (2011–2013). Before initiating the trial, random soil samples were taken from the plots that were assigned to the paired treatments (i.e. with the beetle and without the beetle [insecticide‐treated]) and it was found that the seed bank in those samples did not differ. The single release of Z . bicolorata adults at five per plant at the six‐leaf stage significantly reduced the soil seed bank, compared to without the biocontrol agent, irrespective of the flushes at the end of the season.     

The use of Solacol® (validamycin) as a growth retardant in the isolation of soil fungi

Solacol^®, a formulation of the antibiotic validamycin, at 0.33% in 2% malt extract agar, reduced the spread of fungi on dilution plates drastically and allowed twice as much incubation time before subculturing; this resulted in an elevated number of species isolated. Using pure cultures of 62 common soil fungi, it was shown that all fast-growing species (exceptPythium ultimum) were efficiently inhibited but not completely suppressed. Inhibition was comparable to that by 0.5% oxgall, though, while this substance completely suppressed several species, Solacol very strongly inhibited onlyGaeumannomyces graminis, Gerlachia nivalis, Harzia acremonioides, Verticillium biguttatum andRhizoctonia solani. In a further experiment each separate constituent of Solacol was tested against 22 fungi at equivalent concentrations. Validamycin strongly inhibitedChaetomium globosum and two Basidiomycetes, though hardly more than the non-ionic detergent which mainly inhibited the other fungi. A few species were, however, more inhibited by Solacol than by the detergent alone. Solacol at 0.33% is a suitable aid in dilution plating of soil fungi, by increasing the number of colonies and species observed.Samenvatting Solacol^®, een formulering van het antibioticum validamycine, remde de groei van schimmels in verdunningsplaten met een concentratie van 0.33% in 2% moutagar en maakte het mogelijk de periode tot afenten met een factor 2 te verlengen; daardoor was het aantal geïsoleerde soorten duidelijk toegenomen. Met reincultures van 62 algemene grondschimmelsoorten werd aangetoond, dat alle snelgroeiende soorten (met uitzondering vanPythium ultimum) voldoende geremd, maar niet volkomen onderdrukt werden. Het remmingspercentage was vergelijkbaar met dat van 0.5% ossegal, hoewel dit laatste sommige soorten volkomen onderdrukte; Solacol remde alleenGaeumannomyces graminis, Gerlachia nivalis, Harzia acremonioides, Verticillium biguttatum enRhizoctonia solani zeer sterk. In een volgend experiment werden de componenten van Solacol t.o.v. 22 fungi apart getoetst in concentraties equivalent aan 0.33% Solacol. Validamycine remde alleenChaetomium globosum en twee basidiomyceten behoorlijk, maar nauwelijks meer dan de niet-ionische uitvloeier, die in hoofdzaak de overige remeffecten veroorzaakte. Enkele soorten werden echter door het complete Solacol veel sterker geremd dan door de uitvloeier alleen. Solacol in een verdunning van 0,33% wordt aanbevolen bij verdunningsplaten voor het isoleren van grondschimmels ten einde het aantal kolonies en soorten te verhogen.     

Broad bean mottle virus in Morocco; curculionid vectors,and natural occurrence in food legumes other than faba bean (Vicia faba)

Broad bean mottle virus (BBMV) was transmitted from infected to healthy faba-bean plants by the curculionid weevilsApion radiolus Kirby,Hypera variabilis Herbst,Pachytychius strumarius Gyll,Smicronyx cyaneus Gyll, andSitona lineatus L. The latter appeared to be an efficient vector: acquisition and inoculation occurred at the first bite, the rate of transmission was c. 41%, and virus retention lasted for at least seven days.S. lineatus transmitted the virus from faba bean to lentil and pea, but not to the three genotypes of chickpea tested. This is the first report on the generaHypera, Pachytychius, andSmicronyx as virus vectors, and onA. radiolus, H. variabilis, P. strumarius, andS. cyaneus as vectors of BBMV.Out of 351 samples of food legumes with symptoms suggestive of virus infection, 16, 11, 19, and 17% of the samples of chickpea, lentil, pea, and common bean, respectively, were found infected when tested for BBMV in DAS-ELISA. This is the first report on the natural occurrence of BBMV in chickpea, lentil, pea, and common bean. The virus should be regarded as a food-legume virus rather than a faba-bean virus solely, and is considered an actual threat to food legume improvement programmes.