Effectiveness of saccharin and ulvan as resistance inducers against rust and angular leaf spot in bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris)

The present work aimed to study the effect of saccharin and ulvan against rust in artificially inoculated plants and against both rust and angular leaf spot (ALS) in naturally infected bean plants. In the greenhouse, bean plants of cv. Guará (susceptible) and FT-line (rust resistant) at first trifoliate leaf stage were sprayed with saccharin (0.24 mg mL⁻¹) or ulvan (1 or 10 mg mL⁻¹), and inoculated with Uromyces appendiculatus six days after spray. Both compounds provided an intermediary level of protection. They reduced at a similar extent the number, diameter and particularly sporulation of rust pustules in susceptible plants, suggesting that mechanisms of resistance operate at latter stages of fungus colonization. Three follow-up experiments were carried out under natural infection conditions during the spring 2009 and 2010, and summer/autumn 2010. ALS was observed during all three outdoor pot experiments, whereas rust occurred only during the spring 2009 and 2010. Saccharin sprayed every 14 days was able to protect bean plants against rust during the three experiments, whereas significantly reduced ALS only during summer/autumn and spring 2010. On the other hand, ulvan at a reduced dose rate (1 mg mL⁻¹) did not affect significantly the epidemiological development of both diseases. Increase in seed weight was observed when saccharin-treated plants were infected after pre-flowering, but not when rust infection occurred earlier. Possible reasons why such trade-offs can be obtained in certain circumstances are discussed.     

Genetic analysis for resistance to bean fly (Ophiomyia phaseoli) and seed yield among common bean genotypes in a semi-arid environment

Bean fly (Ophiomyia spp.) is a major field pest limiting common bean production in eastern Africa. The genetic enhancement of beans for resistance to insect pests is essential for minimizing yield losses arising from crop damage. The objectives of this study were to (1) assess combining ability for bean fly resistance and seed yield accumulation in common bean and (2) estimate genetic parameters associated with resistance for formulating further breeding strategy. Four parents with known reaction to bean fly were crossed with four locally adapted genotypes in an 8 × 8 half diallel mating design. Parents and F₂ progenies were grown in an alpha-lattice design replicated twice in an open-field and subjected to natural populations of bean fly for two cropping seasons under semi-arid conditions. Similarly, two resistant and two susceptible parents were selected and crossed to produce populations for generation means and variances components analysis. Results revealed that both general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) mean squares were significant (p ≤ 0.05) for all four traits studied except SCA for stem damage during one cropping season. Among the parents, GBK 047858 was the best general combiner for all the traits studied across seasons except for stem damage during long rains (LR) 2009. Besides, genotypes GBK 047821 and Kat × 69 (a locally adapted variety) were generally good general combiners for resistance traits as well as seed yield. General predictability ratio (GPR) values ranging from 0.63 to 0.90 were obtained for plant mortality, stem damage, pupae in stem and seed yield across cropping seasons. These results established the predominance of additive gene effects (fixable variation) over the non-additive effects in controlling the traits. Low to moderate narrow sense heritability values ranging from 0.22 to 0.45 were obtained for pupae in stem. Such heritability estimates indicate that although additive gene components were critical in the inheritance of resistance for the trait, non-additive gene action were also important in addition to the environmental effects.     

Limitations of corn (Zea mays) and common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) diets as protein and calorie sources

Mixtures of 70:30 and 87:13 of corn and beans with or without vitamins, minerals, limiting amino acids and calories were fed to 5-week-old pigs to determine performance and efficiency of utilization. After 12 weeks it was shown that increasing the ratio from 87:13 to 70:30 (corn:beans) was a desirable measure as was the simultaneous supplementation with the other nutrients; individual groups of nutrients resulted in partial improvement in animal performance. None of the diets used was capable of inducing growth similar to the control groups fed a corn:soya diet. Results confirm the importance of total nutrients to obtain increased efficiency of protein utilization; furthermore, diets, such as the corn:bean diets studied, need to be improved in relation to both quality and quantity of protein.INCAP Publication I-1144     

大豆对豆卷叶螟的抗性鉴定

1999-2002年,在田间自然虫源条件下,分别以卷包密度和虫口密度为指标,鉴定大豆种质对豆卷叶螟的抗虫性.结果表明,大豆品种之间的抗虫性有显著的差异,以卷包密度为评价指标的抗虫性和以虫口密度为评价指标的抗虫性相关显著.在人工接虫条件下,研究豆卷叶螟在不同抗性大豆品种上的产卵选择性,结果显示豆卷叶螟在感虫品种上的产卵量显著多于在抗虫品种上的产卵量.经过多年鉴定,筛选出东兴青皮豆、牛黄豆、PI227687等高抗品种,皖82-178、金龙黑豆、Mosoy等高感品种.     

Genotypic response of common bean to natural field populations of bean fly (Ophiomyia phaseoli) under diverse environmental conditions

Bean fly is a significant pest of common bean in semi-arid areas of East Africa. Apart from inadequate moisture in the dry land, bean fly simultaneously contributes negatively thereby adversely affecting bean productivity. The objectives of this study were to (1) identify sources of resistance to bean fly available in landraces, (2) confirm stability of host plant resistance in drought stress and (3) determine the effect of drought stress and seasonal variation on common bean genotypes in relation to bean fly attack for adaptability to the semi-arid areas of East Africa. Sixty four genotypes including landraces, bean fly resistant lines and local checks were evaluated for seed yield, 100-seed weight, days to maturity, plant mortality and pupae in stem in an alpha lattice design with two replications. This was under drought stressed (DS) and non-stressed (NS) environments and two treatments (insecticide sprayed and natural infestation) for three cropping seasons between 2008 and 2009. Genotypes differed in their reaction to natural bean fly attack under drought stressed (DS) and non-stressed (NS) environments over different cropping seasons. However, the effect of bean fly appeared to vary between the long rains (LR) and short rains (SR). It was observed that an increase in number of pupae per stem resulted in a higher plant mortality. The range of seed yield was from 345 to 1704 kg ha⁻¹ under natural infestation and from 591 to 2659 kg ha⁻¹ under insecticide protection. Seed yield loss ranged from 3 to 69%. The resistance of most of the bean fly resistant lines seemed to break down in presence of DS owing to their dismal performance. Screening of genetic resources in common bean to breed for host plant resistance to bean fly offers high potential of success if researchers take full advantage of the diversity available within the landraces.     

The feeding value of roasted castor oil bean (Ricinus communis) to growing chicks

A nutritive evaluation of roasted castor oil bean (Ricinus communis) was made using 150 day old crossbred progeny of barred Plymouth rock × Nigerian local chicken. The chicks were divided into five groups of 30 birds each. Each group was fed one of five iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets A, B, C, D and E containing 0% (control), 10% non-roasted castor oil bean seeds (NRCOB), or 10, 15 or 20% roasted castor oil bean seeds (RCOB), respectively. Roasting was done at 140°C for 20 minutes in order to destroy the ricin component of the castor oil bean seed. There were significant (P<0.05) differences in average feed intake, daily gain, and feed conversion ratio between birds among the treatments. The best results were obtained with inclusion of RCOB at the 10% level. The birds fed the 20% roasted bean diets had the worst performance. The diet containing the 10% NRCOB supported little or no growth, and also resulted in a high mortality (83%) among the birds. There were no significant (P<0.05) differences in mortality rates between the control diet and the other diets containing RCOB.     

Comparison of procedures to determine protein content of developing bean seeds (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Micro-Kjeldahl, Lowry and Bradford procedures were compared for determining the protein content ofPhaseolus vulgaris seeds during their development. Micro-Kjeldahl and biuret techniques were also compared with mature seeds of a normal and a genetically-improved bean cultivar. The protein contents of casein and soy protein isolate were as well estimated by these four methods. For many samples of both bean and food protein products large disagreements were found between micro-Kjeldahl and the other three procedures.     

Marinopyrrole Derivatives as Potential Antibiotic Agents against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (II)

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) continues to be a major problem, causing severe and intractable infections worldwide. MRSA is resistant to all beta-lactam antibiotics, and alternative treatments are limited. A very limited number of new antibiotics have been discovered over the last half-century, novel agents for the treatment of MRSA infections are urgently needed. Marinopyrrole A was reported to show antibiotic activity against MRSA in 2008. After we reported the first total synthesis of (±)-marinopyrrole A, we designed and synthesized a series of marinopyrrole derivatives. Our structure activity relationship (SAR) studies of these novel derivatives against a panel of Gram-positive pathogens in antibacterial assays have revealed that a para-trifluoromethyl analog (33) of marinopyrrole A is ≥63-, 8-, and 4-fold more potent than vancomycin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (MRSE), methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and MRSA, respectively. The results provide valuable information in the search for new-generation antibiotics.     

Marinopyrrole Derivatives as Potential Antibiotic Agents against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (III)

The marine natural product, marinopyrrole A (1), was previously shown to have significant antibiotic activity against Gram-positive pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Although compound (1) exhibits a significant reduction in MRSA activity in the presence of human serum, we have identified key modifications that partially restore activity. We previously reported our discovery of a chloro-derivative of marinopyrrole A (1a) featuring a 2–4 fold improved minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against MRSA, significantly less susceptibility to serum inhibition and rapid and concentration-dependent killing of MRSA. Here, we report a novel fluoro-derivative of marinopyrrole A (1e) showing an improved profile of potency, less susceptibility to serum inhibition, as well as rapid and concentration-dependent killing of MRSA.     

Marinopyrrole derivatives as potential antibiotic agents against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (I)

Infections caused by drug-resistant pathogens are on the rise. The ongoing spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains exemplifies the urgent need for new antibiotics. The marine natural product, marinopyrrole A, was previously shown to have potent antibiotic activity against Gram-positive pathogens, including MRSA. However, its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against MRSA was increased by >500 fold in the presence of 20% human serum, thus greatly limiting therapeutic potential. Here we report our discovery of a novel derivative of marinopyrrole A, designated 1a, featuring a 2-4 fold improved MIC against MRSA and significantly less susceptibility to serum inhibition. Importantly, compound 1a displayed rapid and concentration-dependent killing of MRSA. Compared to the natural product counterpart, compound 1a provides an important natural product based scaffold for further Structure Activity Relationship (SAR) and optimization.     

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.     

Digestibility of proteins and starch (in vitro) of amphidiploids (black gram×mung bean) as affected by domestic processing and cooking

The effects of different domestic processing and cooking methods on starch digestibility (in vitro) and protein digestibility (in vitro) of four strains of amphidiploids (black gram×mung bean) were investigated. An increase of 35 to 48% and 22 to 25% was observed in starch digestibility and protein digestibility, respectively, when the seed of amphidiploids were soaked for 18 h. Cooking (both of unsoaked and soaked seeds) and germination improved significantly the starch digestibility and protein digestibility of all the varieties.     

大豆对豆卷叶螟抗性的QTL定位

豆卷叶螟是南京地区的主要食叶性害虫。以抗性亲本溧水中子黄豆和感性亲本南农493-1杂交组合正交F2群体为材料,在田间自然虫源条件下F2单株叶片损失率为抗性指标,利用已构建的SSR分子标记图谱和Windows QTL Cartographer V2.5软件包的复合区间作图法和多区间作图法,定位大豆对豆卷叶螟抗性的QTL。结果表明：利用复合区间作图法检测到位于D1b和K连锁群上的2个QTL;利用多区间作图法则检测到位于A2、D1b、K和N连锁群上的4个QTL和6个互作QTL;其中有两个共同的QTL,至少解释表型变异的19.2%。这些结果为抗性性状的遗传剖析和标记辅助育种提供理论依据。     

Comparison of deposition patterns in two programs for applying protectant fungicides to potato stems and leaves for the control of late blight (Phytophthora infestans)

Fungicides are applied by air, chemigation, and ground in the Columbia Basin of Oregon and Washington. These methods of fungicide application differ in deposition of fungicide to the canopy and cost. This study compared the alternate use of air and chemigation application of fungicides (AIRCHEM) with chemigation alone (CHEM), by either measuring chlorothalonil or manganese (mancozeb) amounts in three canopy levels (upper, middle, lower), both on leaflets and stems, after multiple fungicide applications on a 7-day schedule. Greater amounts of chlorothalonil or mancozeb were usually found on the leaflets in the upper and middle canopy locations from AIRCHEM compared to CHEM, the day of fungicide application and 7 days later. Deposition of fungicides on stems generally follow the same pattern as leaflets, but the amount deposited and maintained on stems was significantly less than leaflets. Mancozeb deposition in the three canopy levels followed the same pattern as was found for chlorothalonil. The greater the amounts of chlorothalonil on leaflets and stems resulted in better disease reduction during inoculation assays. Reduced fungicide amounts on stems compared to leaflets may be the reason for increased stems infections in recent years by more aggressive strains of late blight. This is the first report quantifying chlorothalonil or mancozeb amounts on potato stems and the first to report amounts of mancozeb on potato foliage after fungicide application.     

Simulating response of maize to previous velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) crop and nitrogen fertiliser in Malawi

A velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens L.) module for the agricultural production systems simulator (APSIM) was developed in order to assess the nitrogen (N) and yield benefits of velvet bean green manure crops, when grown in rotation with maize in small holder situations in Malawi. The velvet bean module was able to simulate maturity biomass from six contrasting sites in Malawi over an observed range of 847–10,420 kg/ha with a root mean squared deviation (RMSD) of 1562 kg/ha. APSIM was then tested for its ability to simulate the response of maize crops to fertiliser N in two seasons, to previous velvet bean green manure crops in one season, or both in combination in one season. With no previous velvet bean crop, the response to fertiliser N varied across sites from a non-significant increase to an eight-fold increase in maize yield. Where a velvet bean crop was grown in the previous season, the response to applied N varied from non-significant to slight. Simulated yields were within one standard error of the observed in the majority of cases. A sensitivity analysis for key parameters in the velvet bean module highlighted, that those governing the N content of crop root and shoot residues had greatest impact on maize yield response. Parameters controlling production and partitioning of root or shoot biomass were less important.To our knowledge this is the first reported case of a cropping systems simulation model being tested for its ability to simulate the production of a green manure legume followed by a cereal.     

Amino acid profile of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC): a rich source of vegetable protein

Twenty one cultivars of winged bean (17 of Indian origin and 4 exotic strains obtained from Sri Lanka) were cultivated on marginal (alkaline) soils in the sub-tropics and evaluated for their food value. Whereas the seeds showed wide variations in total protein content (38.1 to 45 per cent), the amino acid compositions were in close proximity to those of soybean. Nevertheless, some strains of winged bean registered higher levels of certain amino acids as compared to soybean.     

Molecular markers as a method to evaluate the movement of Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari)

The objective of this research was to develop a methodology to describe the movement of the coffee berry borer Hypothenemus hampei (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in the field through: (i) the evaluation of allele variation of a microsatellite marker on polymorphic Colombian H. hampei populations; (ii) the invention of a device for releasing H. hampei adults; (iii) the standardization of a release-recapture technique for H. hampei populations; (iv) the estimation of the flight distance of the insect; and (v) the calculation of a mathematical expression that describes the movement of H. hampei in space over time. The results indicated that: (i) the microsatellite molecular marker HHK.1.6 was exclusively present in a population from Guapotá-Santander, was dominant and allows the evaluation of H. hampei movement for several generations; (ii) a device that released 88.8% of H. hampei adults in 2 s was designed; (iii) this device was used as H. hampei populations containing HHK.1.6 marker release strategy, and coffee seeds as recapture strategy; (iv) it was estimated that H. hampei adults flew as far as 65 m, however, 90% were recovered in a radius of <40 m. Finally, (v) the mathematical expression that described the movement of H. hampei in space over time was Y^=αβXi, being Y^ the average number of borer beetles recaptured per tree, and x the distance in meters. This method will allow to determine the movement of H. hampei from different environmental and ecological scenarios.     

Studies on the adaptability of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC) to marginal soil conditions under semi-arid sub tropics

A cultivation trial of winged bean under its popularisation programme has been undertaken on marginal sodic soils. The study showed no abnormality at any stage of the culture and the food value of the produce was concurrent with those reported in literature. The seed production (0.7–1.56 tons/hectare) was in accordance with the average yield obtained in other tropical countries. The highest seed yield (2.199 tons/hectare) was obtained when the seeds were sown at 32.4 cm² spacing. Staked crops yielded 73% more seeds. The oil (18%), free from parinaric acid, and protein (28.8% on the seed) contents of the seed tally with the values reported elsewhere. The seed oil can be stored for a longer time without any change in its quality.     

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) as a therapeutic agent for pain

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent neurotoxin that blocks voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs). VGSCs play a critical role in neuronal function under both physiological and pathological conditions. TTX has been extensively used to functionally characterize VGSCs, which can be classified as TTX-sensitive or TTX-resistant channels according to their sensitivity to this toxin. Alterations in the expression and/or function of some specific TTX-sensitive VGSCs have been implicated in a number of chronic pain conditions. The administration of TTX at doses below those that interfere with the generation and conduction of action potentials in normal (non-injured) nerves has been used in humans and experimental animals under different pain conditions. These data indicate a role for TTX as a potential therapeutic agent for pain. This review focuses on the preclinical and clinical evidence supporting a potential analgesic role for TTX. In addition, the contribution of specific TTX-sensitive VGSCs to pain is reviewed.