Composition and functional properties of protein isolates obtained from commercial legumes grown in northern Spain

Pea (Pisum sativum), faba bean (Vicia faba) and soybean (Glycine max) seeds were characterized, and protein isolates were prepared following an isoelectric point precipitation procedure. Soybean seeds showed the highest protein content (36.7%) and carbohydrate was the major constituent in the pea (59.4%) and the faba bean seeds (52.1%). Protein contents were higher than 80% in all the protein isolates. The amino acid contents in the protein isolates were, in general, higher than those in their own starting seeds. The antinutritional factor contents were reduced after the protein isolate preparation. The highest reductions achieved for tannins were 95% in the faba bean protein isolate, and for phytates (45%) and trypsin inhibitor activity (46%) in the pea protein isolate. Haemagglutinating activity was not detected in any of the protein isolates. Minimum solubility values were observed at a pH range between 4.0 and 6.0, and maximal solubilities were obtained at basic pH values. The faba bean protein isolate showed the highest water and oil absorption capacities, and the best gelling properties. The soybean protein isolate had the best foam expansion capacity. Thus, the protein isolates had an improvement in some of the characteristics compared to their original seeds with lower contents in tannins, phytates and haemagglutinating activity, but had weak functional properties.     

Growth,yield and nitrogen performance of faba bean intercrops with oat and triticale at varying seeding ratios

Intercropping of grain legumes with cereals may offer several advantages over sole crops for forage production and is commonly used, particularly in low‐input agriculture. Faba bean (Vicia faba L.), oat (Avena sativa L.) and triticale (×Triticosecale Wittmack) sole crops as well as the intercrops of faba bean with each of the above cereals, in three seeding ratios (75:25, 50:50 and 25:75), were compared for dry‐matter (DM) yield, nitrogen (N) concentration, chlorophyll content, growth rate and plant height in a 2‐year field experiment. Triticale sole crop and faba bean intercrops with triticale provided higher DM yield than faba bean sole crop and the intercrops of faba bean with oat. Growth rates of faba bean, oat and triticale in mixtures were lower than those in sole crops. Faba bean plants were taller in the intercrops than in the sole crop at 3 weeks after tillering (WAT), whereas at 6 WAT, the trend was different as faba bean plants in the sole crop were taller than in the intercrops. N concentration was higher for the cereals when faba bean was included in the mixture. Crude protein (CP) concentration was the highest in faba bean sole crop followed by the faba bean intercrops with oat. However, triticale sole crop and faba bean mixtures with triticale provided higher CP yield than all other crops because of their highest DM yield. Thus, mixtures of faba beans with triticale could be a promising alternative for increased forage production because of their capacity for high DM and protein yields.     

Growth photosynthetic activity and antioxidant responses of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal bajra (Pennisetum glaucum) crop under salinity stress condition

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi alleviating the adverse salt effects on growth was tested in bajra (Pennisetum glaucum). Towards this objective we analyzed the photosynthetic activity, proline, phosphatase activity and various antioxidant enzymes such as peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase at 0, 100, 200 and 300 mM salinity levels in AM inoculated and non inoculated bajra plants. Total chlorophyll content was significantly higher in moderate salinity condition in AM fungus (Glomus fasciculatum) inoculated plants, which lead to increase in growth and nutrient uptake capacity of mycorrhizal plants. Antioxidant activity was either increased or decreased due to responses to different salinity stress conditions. Proline accumulation was induced by salt and it was more in shoot of non-AM inoculated plants, but in roots proline accumulation was higher in AM plants at all levels of salinity. This work suggests that the AM fungus helps bajra plants to perform better under moderate salinity levels by enhancing the antioxidant activity and proline accumulation as compared to non-mycorrhizal plants.     

Nitrogen Uptake by Faba Bean from 15N-Labelled Oilseed-Rape Residue and Chicken Manure with Ryegrass as a Reference Crop

Abstract

The effects of soil amendment with oilseed-rape residue (OSRR) and chicken manure (CM) on the growth and nitrogen (N) uptake of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) were assessed in a pot experiments with Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) as a reference crop. A ¹⁵N isotope dilution method was used to estimate the amount of N derived from the residue (OSRR and CM) and from atmosphere through N₂ fixation in the plants. Dry weights (DW) of shoots and whole plants were heaviest in the plants grown on the soil amended with CM (CM plants) followed by the plants grown on the soil amended with OSRR (OSRR plants) and control plants in this order. There were significant differences (p<0.05) in dry weight between CM, OSRR and control plants. DW of roots was also increased by amendment with either CM or OSRR in faba bean, but it was decreased in ryegrass. The amount of total N in both roots and shoots were increased by application of either CM or OSRR in both faba bean and ryegrass. The amount of N₂ fixed by faba bean cultured on 1.2 kg soil amended with 10g residue (CM or OSRR) was 85.9 mg pot-¹ but total N in faba bean derived from OSRR and CM was 192 and 374 mg pot-¹, respectively. The percentage of N derived from atmosphere to total N in faba bean plants ranged from 15.9 to 26.5%. The amount of N taken up by faba bean and ryegrass plants from CM were larger than those from OSRR by 81.0 and 54.3%, respectively. Soil N balance was calculated as the difference between the amount of N applied (including fixed) and taken up by the plants. The N balance of soil amended with OSRR after cultivation of faba bean was 72.2% higher than that of the soil amended with CM, and that after cultivation of ryegrass was 89.9% higher.     

盐胁迫对蚕豆植株光合性能和渗透调节能力的影响

用0、50、150、250 mmol/L NaCl处理蚕豆幼苗一定时间后,分别测蚕豆植株的光合性能,根、茎、叶的含水量、渗透势以及有机渗透调节物质可溶性糖和脯氨酸的含量.结果表明:随盐处理浓度的增加,蚕豆叶片净光合速率、蒸腾速率、气孔导度均降低,胞间CO2浓度则呈上升变化趋势;蚕豆根、茎、叶的含水量和渗透势逐渐降低,渗透调节能力增强;可溶性糖的含量均高于对照,且在50 mmol/L NaCl条件处理下可溶性糖含量最高;脯氨酸的含量除在50 mmol/L NaCl条件下稍有下降外,随盐处理浓度的增加也大幅度增加.     

Evaluation of the SPAD Value in Faba Bean (Vicia fabaL.) Leaves in Relation to Different Fertilizer Applications

Abstract

The correlations of the reading of a portable chlorophyll meter (SPAD-502) with the chlorophyll and N contents of leaves of two faba bean (Vicia fabaL.) cultivars, Japanese (Ryousai-issun) and Egyptian (Cairo 241), were examined. The SPAD readings positively correlated (ρ<0.01) with the chlorophyll contents and the r² values were 0.99 and 1.00 for Ryousai-issun and Cairo 241, respectively. A close linear relationship (ρ0.001) was observed between SPAD reading and total leaf N content at the pod development stage of faba bean plants with r² = 0.88 and 0.99 for Ryousai-issun and Cairo 241, respectively. The SPAD reading was the highest in the 2^nd to 4^th leaves counted from the top (the youngest fully expanded leaves). The changes in leaf chlorophyll content of both cultivars from 3 weeks after transplanting to the ripening stage showed an incomplete “M” type curve. SPAD readings were significant¬ly higher in Ryousai-issun than in Cairo 241 throughout the growth season. Organic fertilizers application improved faba bean plant growth. These results suggest that the SPAD-502 chlorophyll meter can be used to measure chlorophyll and nitrogen contents of faba bean leaves for quick screening faba bean genotypes.     

Effect of Azotobacter vinelandii and compatible solutes on germination wheat seeds and root concentrations of sodium and potassium under salt stress

The effect of plant growth-promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) and exogenous application of compatible solutes on seed germination and root concentrations of sodium and potassium of two wheat varieties (Triticum durum L.) were evaluated under saline stress. In this experiment, Azotobacter vinelandii strain DSM85, glycine betaine and proline were used. Inoculated seeds for each variety were placed on Whatman paper in 9 cm Petri dishes containing 15 mL of distilled water or NaCl solutions at various concentrations (control, 100, 200, 300 mM) supplemented with or without glycine betaine (GB) or proline at 5 mM. The results indicated that addition of proline (5 mM) stimulated the production of indol acetic acid and the growth of A. vinelandii at 200 and 300 mM NaCl, respectively. The germination rate index and the germination final percentage decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing salinity level. The germination was significantly diminished at 300 mM with significant variation among varieties and Waha variety had higher germination percentage than Bousselam variety. Inoculation of seeds by A. vinelandii and exogenous application of proline had significantly positive effect on the germination at this concentration of NaCl. The rate of accumulation of Na+ in roots was important at 100 mM and increased at 200 mM. The concentration of K+ decreased when salinity increased. The effect of inoculation or inoculation with proline decreased the accumulation of Na' and reduced the loss of K+ under salt stress. From the present study we can conclude that the use of A. vinelandii strain DSM85 and external application of low concentrations of proline on seeds might be considered as a strategy for the protection of plants under saline stress.     

盐胁迫对垂盆草生长和生理特性的影响

以垂盆草为材料,研究不同浓度NaCl[0(对照)、25、50、100、150、200 mmol/L]对垂盆草生长和生理特性的影响.结果表明:与对照相比,随着NaC1浓度的增加,垂盆草鲜重、干重、含水量、K+含量、根Na+/叶Na+、叶的K+/Na+和SOD活性均呈下降趋势;而Na+、游离氨基酸、可溶性糖、有机酸、脯氨酸、丙二醛含量和质膜透性均呈上升趋势;叶绿素含量、硝酸还原酶活性呈先上升后下降趋势,而NO3-含量则呈相反的变化趋势.综合分析显示,盐胁迫对垂盆草生长有抑制作用,其耐盐阈值为100 mmol/L NaCl;盐胁迫下垂盆草通过积累Na+、有机酸、游离氨基酸、可溶性糖、脯氨酸进行渗透调节.     

Winter hardiness in faba bean: Physiology and breeding

Winter types of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) have existed for at least 200 years. Their superior use of the growing season confers strong yield advantages over spring beans. Nevertheless, yield increases have been slower than in many other crops. There are few sources of winter hardiness and efforts are in progress to combine favourable alleles from accessions such as Cote D’Or and BPL 4628 to increase the crop’s tolerance to frost. Vernalization requirements are quantitative, as vernalization hastens flowering rather than allowing it. Hardening is associated with increases in fatty acid desaturation of membrane lipids and increases in content of soluble osmoprotectants such as proline. Other osmotically active factors such as glycinebetaine, trehalose and antifreeze proteins have not yet been reported for faba bean. Frost tolerance increases after hardening and shows good heritability (h² = 0.89). Three QTLs (3.6 < LOD < 4.6) have been identified for frost tolerance (explaining 8.6% of the phenotypic variation), and further QTLs for hardening response and cell membrane fatty acid composition. Information on responsive genes and the mode of their action is increasingly available from model plant species but most remains as yet untested in faba bean. There is clear potential for increasing the winter hardiness and yield of winter faba bean so it can be grown in a wider area than at present.     

Composition and nutritional quality of pea (Pisum sativum L.), faba bean (Vicia faba L. spp. minor) and lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) meals,protein concentrates and isolates

Pea (Pisum sativum L.), faba bean (Vicia faba L. spp. minor), and lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) meals, protein concentrates and isolates were analyzed for proximate composition, oligosaccharides, and amino acid composition. Protein quality was evaluated using a mouse bio-assay. The concentrates contained 59.2 to 70.6% and the isolates 86.7 to 90.8% protein (N × 6.25) on moisture-free basis. Glucose, sucrose, raffinose, stachyose and verbascose were present in the highest concentrations in the protein concentrates (7.1 to 11.1%), the pea protein concentrate contained 8.7% sugars and faba bean and lentil protein concentrates 7.1% and 6.6% respectively. The protein isolates were almost free (containing less than 0.79%) of the sugars. Amino acid composition of the meals, concentrates and isolates showed, as expected, sulfur-amino acid deficiency (about two thirds of the rat requirement), which was probably largely responsible for the low protein efficiency ratios (0.75 to 1.18), and net protein ratios (0.25 to 0.73) of the three products, compared to values of 2.56 and 2.18 respectively obtained for casein. The protein digestibilities of the meals, concentrates and isolates (81 to 90%) were similar to that of casein (87%). The poor growth-promoting abilities of the meals, concentrates and isolates were possibly also due to growth-depressing factors such as tannins, trypsin inhibitors and hemagglutinins present, particularly in faba bean and lentil.     

磷胁迫下氮形态对苗期玉米氮素吸收与分配的影响

采用营养液培养的方法,比较Ca_3(PO_4)_2模拟磷胁迫条件时3种氮处理(NO_3~--N、NH_4~+-N、NO_3~--N+NH_4~+-N)对玉米氮素吸收与分配的影响。结果表明,与KH_2PO_4处理相比,磷胁迫处理时,硝态氮、铵态氮及铵硝混合营养处理的玉米整株生物量分别降低38.1%、17.4%和20.8%;与此同时,铵态氮处理的玉米植株全氮、氮素累积量、有机氮及硝态氮含量显著升高,而硝态氮处理时全氮、氮素累积量、有机氮显著降低,硝态氮含量无明显变化;此外,与硝态氮及铵硝混合处理相比,铵态氮处理的玉米叶中可溶性蛋白含量下降幅度最大,而游离氨基酸、脯氨酸含量下降幅度最小。因此,本试验中,铵态氮处理的玉米更耐磷胁迫,表现为增加了氮的吸收和积累以及增强可溶性蛋白降解为氨基酸的过程。     

Effect of soil salinity on internal browning of potato tuber tissue in two soil types

A study was carried out with potato (Solanum tuberosum; cv. Atlantic) during 2001 and 2002 to determine the effect of soil salinity on internal tuber browning. The effect of varying levels of soil salinity on proline content, polyphenol oxidase enzyme activity, and chlorogenic acid content in potato leaves and tubers was examined. NaCl treatments (2.1, 4.25, 6.38, 8.5 g NaCl L^?1) were applied to the pots, the first 46 days after planting, and four additional treatments were applied, each about 7 days apart. Increasing NaCl concentrations resulted in an increase in browning of tuber tissue and proline content in the tubers. Chlorogenic acid content in the leaves increased up to 6.4 g NaCl L^?1, but then decreased at 8.5 g NaCl L^?1 and in tubers tended to be maximal at the highest saline concentration tested (8.5 g NaCl L^?1). Increasing NaCl concentration resulted in a reduction in yield per plant and average tuber weight, and also increased tuber number. There were major differences in the impact of salinity over the 2-year period, which was probably due to the impact of the growing media; a low organic matter (about 1% OM) silty loam soil and a high organic content (about 90% OM) Muck soil were used in 2001 and 2002, respectively. Tuber browning increased linearly with salinity in 2002, but only markedly increased at 8.5 g NaCl L^?1 in 2001. Sodium and chloride ion concentration was always greater (about two times) at equivalent application rates in the 2002 trial. The high organic matter content soil retained sodium and chloride ions more effectively than the silty loam soil and enhanced the impact of increased salinity concentration on physiological properties of potato plants and particularly on tuber tissue browning and proline accumulation.     

三亚珊瑚礁国家级自然保护区海域水质环境状况分析及评价

2015年10月,对海南三亚珊瑚礁国家级自然保护区进行水质调查,调查站点布设三亚西瑁洲西端3个站点,鹿回头南端4个站点,亚龙湾2个站点,共布设9个调查站点。分析了水温、pH、盐度、溶解氧、化学需氧量、活性磷酸盐、无机氮、油类、铜、铅、锌、镉、汞、砷共14项指标。采用单项水质指数法、有机体污染指数法以及水质富营养化指数法对三亚珊瑚礁国家级自然保护区附近海域水质进行分析和评价,结果显示：该海域水质评价指数均小于1,单因子指数较小;有机污染评价指数A＜1,污染物浓度较低;富营养化评价指数E＜1,该海域海水水质均符合第一类海水水质标准,水质处于良好状态。     

Molecular characterization,vector identification and partial host range determination of phytoplasmas associated with faba bean phyllody in Iran

During surveys of phytoplasma diseases, faba bean phyllody (FBP) was observed in several locations in Fars and Bushehr provinces (southern Iran). Samples of affected plants from Borazjan (Bushehr province) and Fasa (Fars province) were used to transmit the phyllody agent to faba bean, mung bean, pea, alfalfa and periwinkle by grafting, dodder and/or vector insect. Orosius albicinctus (Distant) was identified as the vector of Borazjan (BFBP) and Fasa (FFBP) faba bean phyllody. Naturally affected faba bean plants and all inoculated plants were positive for phytoplasma by direct PCR using the P1/P7 primer pair and nested PCR using P1/P7 and R16F2n/R16R2 primer pairs. Sequencing of PCR products identified the associated phytoplasmas as members of 16SrII phytoplasma group. Phylogenetic analysis using full length 16S rRNA gene sequences also confirmed similarity of the BFBP and FFBP phytoplasmas to the 16SrII group phytoplasmas. In this analysis the FFBP phytoplasma was grouped with ’Candidatus Phytoplasma australasia’, representative of 16SrII-D subgroup, while the BFBP phytoplasma formed a discrete group close to the 16SrII-C subgroup. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) confirmed that BFBP and FFBP phytoplasmas belong to 16SrII group. Virtual RFLP confirmed that as members of peanut witches’ broom (16SrII) phytoplasma group, BFBP and FFBP phytoplasmas belonged to 16SrII-C and16SrII-D subgroups, respectively. Phytoplasmas associated with BFBP and FFBP were shown to be serologically related to the Fars alfalfa witches’broom phytoplasma, a member of 16SrII-C subgroup. It seems that witches’broom affected alfalfa fields are natural reservoirs of the FBP phytoplasma in southern Iran.     

Faba bean in cropping systems

The grain legume (pulse) faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is grown world-wide as a protein source for food and feed. At the same time faba bean offers ecosystem services such as renewable inputs of nitrogen (N) into crops and soil via biological N₂ fixation, and a diversification of cropping systems. Even though the global average grain yield has almost doubled during the past 50 years the total area sown to faba beans has declined by 56% over the same period. The season-to-season fluctuations in grain yield of faba bean and the progressive replacement of traditional farming systems, which utilized legumes to provide N to maintain soil N fertility, with industrialized, largely cereal-based systems that are heavily reliant upon fossil fuels (=N fertilizers, heavy mechanization) are some of the explanations for this decline in importance. Past studies of faba bean in cropping systems have tended to focus on the effect of faba bean as a pre-crop in mainly cereal intensive rotations, whereas similar information on the effect of preceding crops on faba bean is lacking. Faba bean has the highest average reliance on N₂ fixation for growth of the major cool season grain legumes. As a consequence the N benefit for following crops is often high, and several studies have demonstrated substantial savings (up to 100–200 kg N ha⁻¹) in the amount of N fertilizer required to maximize the yield of crops grown after faba bean. There is, however, a requirement to evaluate the potential risks of losses of N from the plant–soil system associated with faba bean cropping via nitrate leaching or emissions of N₂O to the atmosphere as a consequence of the rapid mineralization of N from its N-rich residues. It is important to develop improved preventive measures, such as catch crops, intercropping, or no-till technologies, in order to provide farmers with strategies to minimize any possible undesirable effects on the environment that might result from their inclusion of faba bean in cropping system. This needs to be combined with research that can lead to a reduction in the current extent of yield variability, so that faba bean may prove to be a key component of future arable cropping systems where declining supplies and high prices of fossil energy are likely to constrain the affordability and use of fertilizers. This will help address the increasing demand by consumers and governments for agriculture to reduce its impact on the environment and climate through new, more sustainable approaches to food production. The aims of this paper are to review the role of faba bean in global plant production systems, the requirements for optimal faba bean production and to highlight the beneficial effects of faba bean in cropping systems.     

氮量及减灌对冬小麦旗叶生理参数和细胞保护酶活性的影响

为给小麦水氮高效栽培提供依据,以水氮响应特征不同小麦品种保麦10（适合高水肥）和石麦22（节水型）为材料,通过田间试验,研究了不同施氮量及春季灌水次数对小麦旗叶光合色素含量、保护酶活性和产量的影响。结果表明,増施氮素和增加灌水次数能提高供试品种旗叶叶绿素a、b含量、可溶隆蛋白含量、超氧化物气化酶（SOD）和过氧化氢酶（CAT）活性,改善产量构成因素及产量,减少细胞膜质过氧化产物丙二醛（MDA）累积量。高水氮组合（N225结合春季2次灌水）下保麦10和石麦22旗叶生理生化参数及产量性状的差异较小;在高氮、低氮灌1水下,与保麦10相比,石麦22旗叶生长中后期被测细胞保护酶活性、游离脯氨酸、可溶性糖含量显著增加,MDA含量显著降低,产量得到明显改善。石麦22较强的耐低氮及干旱能力与其水氮胁迫下植株上位叶维持较高光合色素含量、较多渗透物质含量和较强细胞保护酶活性有关。     

水稻在不同土壤水分状况下脯氨酸的累积与抗旱性的关系

 以6个中熟水、陆稻品种为材料，研究了在不同土壤水分状况下水稻叶片中游离脯氨酸的累积及其与抗旱性的关系。在低土壤水分处理下，抗旱性水稻品种叶片中游离脯氨酸累积开始较早，持续时间长，抗旱性较差的品种则开始较迟，持续时间短；脯氨酸开始累积的叶水势阈值，抗旱性品种为－0.62～－0.66 MPa，抗旱性较差的品种为－0.70～－0.82 MPa；土壤水势为－0.04 MPa时，处理10 d后叶片的相对脯氨酸含量（处理／对照×100%）与品种的抗旱系数呈极显著正相关（r＝－0.9712）；保持土壤水势为－0.04 MPa和－0.06 MPa，处理后30 d和40 d叶片的相对脯氨酸含量与减产率呈极显著的负相关（r＝－0.9342、－0.9581）。建议把在低土壤水分条件下脯氨酸累积较早、持续时间长这一生理特性作为评价水稻品种抗旱性的一个指标。     

Comparative study of enzymes related to proline metabolism in tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) under drought and irrigated conditions,and various urea concentrations

There are several mechanisms used by plants for survival in adverse environments such as drought, high temperature and salinity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the drought tolerance of tepary bean as a function of biochemical processes linked to isozyme synthesis and changes in enzymatic activity related to proline metabolism. Mature seeds of common beans var. flor de mayo, Phaseolus vulgaris and tepary beans Phaseolus acutifolius were grown under two water conditions (irrigation and drought), and four levels of urea. Vertical electrophoresis and spectrophotometric techniques were used to evaluate protein patterns, glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), proline oxidase (PO) and pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase (P5C reductase) enzyme activities. These enzymes were studied because they are directly related to protein synthesis. Electrophoretic patterns showed more proteins in tepary beans than in common beans with limited irrigation. GDH showed only one isozyme, with a molecular weight between 240 to 270 kDa. A decrease in PO activity was observed in common beans under drought stress with a value of 237 mol/min, in comparison to irrigation conditions of 580 mol/min. GDH and P5C reductase enzymes have had higher activity in common beans than in tepary beans under water stress. There was a significant difference only in glutamate dehydrogenase enzyme with respect to urea level. The results suggest that drought tolerance of tepary beans is due to biochemical processes related to proline metabolic enzymes.     

Integrated management of Ascochyta blight (Didymella fabae) on faba bean under Mediterranean conditions

Integrated disease management options (two sowing dates, three fungicides and 3–6 faba bean genotypes) in managing Ascochyta blight affecting faba bean were evaluated for three cropping seasons (2006/07–2008/09) in northern Syria for their effects on disease parameters, seed infection and dry seed yield. The combined results of the three seasons on disease parameters showed that sowing dates significantly affected final disease severity and area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC); faba bean genotypes significantly affected final disease severity, rate of disease development and AUDPC. The highest AUDPC (255% days) was observed in early than late planted (168% days) faba bean genotypes. The mean AUDPC of faba bean genotypes ranged from 189% days on genotype 1053–1325 to 234% days on ILB-1814. Only faba bean genotypes and fungicides showed significant interactions in affecting final disease severity and AUDPC. Fungicide sprays significantly affected mean percent pod infection and rate of disease development but not mean percent seed infection. Faba bean genotypes showed significant differences in dry seed yield and the yield ranged from 1.7 t ha⁻¹ in cv. Ascot to 2.4 t ha⁻¹ in faba bean genotype 945-105. Improved varieties with Ascochyta blight resistance are not currently released and available for farmers in northern Syria and the integration of early planting (November–December) with one foliar fungicide spray at vegetative stage can help to reduce Ascochyta blight severity, pod and seed infections. Chlorothalonil and azoxystrobin are widely used fungicides to manage Ascochyta blights on food legumes in many countries and one of them could be used depending on their availability and costs to managing faba bean Ascochyta blight in Syria and other Mediterranean type environments.     

Effect of selected Egyptian cooking methods on faba bean nutritive value and dietary protein utilization 2: Ability of faba bean products to support hemoglobin response in rats

To evaluate the dietary protein utilization and iron deficiency anemia as affected by the faba bean nutrient intake, a bioassay with rats was carried out with different experimental diets containing four faba bean products (stewed beans ‘Medammis’, deep fried dough ‘Falafel’, boiled germinated beans ‘Nabet Soup’ and poured paste ‘Bissara’) widely consumed in the Middle East. Amino acid composition of all faba bean products was determined and compared to raw beans. Severe heat-processing markedly decreased some essential amino acids, especially phenylalanine, cystine, methionine and tryptophan. Protein scores were 24.6, 19.5, 29.2, 28.2 and 35.6 for raw faba beans, ‘Medammis’, ‘Falafel’, ‘Nabet Soup’ and ‘Bissara’, respectively. ‘Bissara’ possessed the highest nutritional value, since it had the lowest GDR value [Grams consumed of product to cover the daily requirements for adult man in protein (63 g) and in energy (2900 kcal)] for the limiting amino acids (L A A). As indicated by P S/150 values [Satisfaction of the daily requirements of the adult man when 150 g (one can content) are consumed of product] for L A A, i.e. methionine+cystine (lowest P S/150 value), the above-mentioned faba bean products cover about 53, 77, 77 and 97% of the daily requirements of adult man in L A A, respectively. Fecal nitrogen excretion increased and true nitrogen digestibility decreased significantly (p<0.01) with the inclusion of ‘Medammis’ in the diet. ‘Nabet Soup’ exhibited the highest true nitrogen digestibility. In contrast, the biological value of nitrogen was apparently unaffected. Highest blood hemoglobin level was found in rats fed diets containing ‘Bissara’, ‘Falafel’ and ‘Nabet Soup’, whereas the addition of ‘Medammis’ in the diet induced a significant (p<0.05) reduction in blood hemoglobin level of fed rats.