Determination of responses of different bean cultivars against races of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas syringae</Emphasis> pv <Emphasis Type="Italic">phaseolicola</Emphasis>, causal agent of halo blight of bean

Use of resistant plant varieties combined with other disease management practices is regarded as the most practical approach to control of seed-borne bacterial disease agents. In this study, responses of different bean cultivars to nine different races of Pseudomonas syringae pv phaseolicola, the causal agent of bacterial halo blight of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), were determined. During compatible interaction in susceptible cultivars, virulent bacterial races caused water soaked lesion at sites of inoculation. Similar lesions developed in moderately resistant cultivars but symptoms were later associated with more tissue browning around the sites of inoculation. In contrast, the resistant response, produced the characteristic hypersensitive reaction (HR), was characterized as a small discrete browning and tissue collapse at site of inoculation. No local cultivars showed complete resistance to all races tested. Bean cultivars Sehirali-90 and Göynük-98 were found to be resistant or moderately resistant to five different bacterial races. Bean cultivar, Karaca?ehir-90, on the other hand, was found to be resistant or moderately resistant to six different bacterial races. Analysis of bacterial growth and the accumulation of isoflavonoid bean phytoalexin, phaseollin in planta were carried out for tissues expressing compatible and incompatible interactions to enable a link to be made between reaction phenotypes and restriction of bacterial growth and phytoalexin accumulations. Development of the HR was clearly associated with the restricted multiplication of bacteria during incompatible interactions. A time-course accumulation analysis on pods treated with different races of bacterial agent showed that a strong correlation was observed between the timing and extent of cell death and accumulation of phaseollin, being rapid and extensive in incompatible interactions compared to compatible interaction.     

基因型、地点及其互作对内蒙古小麦主要品质性状的影响

选用来自我国春播麦区高、中、低3种筋力类型的9个品种, 于2003和2004年分别种植在内蒙古6个代表性地点, 研究了不同品种在年份和地点间籽粒硬度、蛋白质含量、和面仪参数和淀粉糊化特性等主要品质性状的变化规律。结果表明, 所测品质性状受基因型和地点效应的影响均达极显著水平, 除籽粒蛋白质含量外, 其他品质性状受基因型和地点互作效应的影响达显著或极显著水平。强筋类品种的蛋白质含量、灰分含量、沉降值、和面时间、耐揉性和峰值黏度均较高, 出粉率和稀澥值中等。中筋类品种出粉率、和面时间和耐揉性较高, 灰分含量、峰值黏度和稀澥值较低。弱筋类品种的灰分含量、峰值黏度和稀澥值较高, 籽粒硬度、蛋白质含量、出粉率、沉降值、和面时间、耐揉性低。所有品种品质性状在地点间存在较大差异, 乌海市灰分含量、和面时间和耐揉性高, 籽粒硬度、沉降值、峰值黏度和稀澥值较低。杭锦后旗出粉率高, 蛋白含量和沉降值较低, 其他性状表现中等。呼和浩特市籽粒硬度、蛋白含量、面粉灰分、沉降值、和面时间和耐揉性高, 出粉率、峰值黏度和稀澥值低。赤峰市多数性状表现中等。通辽市籽粒硬度、蛋白质含量、峰值黏度、稀澥值和耐揉性较高, 其他性状表现中等。额尔古纳市蛋白含量和沉降值较高, 和面时间和耐揉性低。初步认为强筋和中筋类品种较适于种植在呼和浩特市与乌海市, 不适于种植在额尔古纳市; 2个弱筋类品种在6个地点均不太适宜种植。     

A simple and efficient cryopreservation of in vitro-grown shoot tips of `Troyer' citrange [Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf. × Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck.] by encapsulation-vitrification

Wheat of two strong high-protein and two weak low-protein cultivars from New Zealand and Australia were milled to commercial specifications. All millstreams were tested for α-amylase, β-amylase, falling number, protein, starch, damaged starch, amylose, amylopectin, pentosan and ash. The distribution of β-amylase in millstream flours was more variable among cultivars than α-amylase. Generally, both enzymes had lowest activity in sizing and early reduction flours. α-Amylase was very high in the bran, pollard and germ fractions, in which ash content was very high, whereas β-amylase was low in these fractions. These observations, together with the moderate correlation of α-amylase and poor correlation of β-amylase to ash content, suggest that most α-amylasein flour derives from contamination with bran, pollard and germ, whereas most β-amylase derives from the endosperm. Falling numbers varied between the cultivars, but variation amongst millstreams for each cultivar was low, except for cv. Frame, which had particularly high falling number values (834 and 1197) in second and third break flours. These two flours had some of the highest α-amylase levels and lowest starch levels. However, they also had very high protein content (22 and 26%) and very low starch damage (3.2 and 4.5%), which may contribute to the high falling numbers. When endogenous α-amylase in the flour with the highest falling number was supplemented with high levels of barleyα-amylase, the flour withstood the detrimental effects of α-amylasein baking (sticky crumb, poor crumb texture and loaf volume) better than flours of lower falling number, but did not withstand the effects ofα-amylase on falling number. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic and chemical analyses of six cowpea and two <Emphasis Type="Italic">Phaseolus</Emphasis> bean species differing in resistance to weevil pest

The objective of this work was to evaluate the genetic variability among six cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) cultivars differing in their resistance to Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) weevil. Two resistant bean cultivars were used to compare between the sensitive, moderate tolerant, and high tolerant cowpea cultivars. The differentiations were performed by using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting, protein concentration and organic and non-organic components in seed coat. Six polymorphic primers were identified, resulting in different informative bands. Based on polymorphic profiles, three clusters were formed. Clustering was mainly affected by the resistance to weevil pest. The sensitive cowpea cultivars were separated in one group, the moderate tolerant and high tolerant cultivars came in separate groups, and finally, the resistant bean cultivars separated clearly in one distinct group. The most interesting result was represented by concentration of total protein in the seed coat. The protein concentration in the resistant bean cultivars were approximately 50% less than concentration in each of the moderate tolerant and sensitive cultivars of cowpea. Ferric ions were about 25% less than the moderate tolerant and sensitive cultivars. The concentrations of calcium and potassium in seed coats were higher in the resistant beans than in cowpea cultivars. Cobalt was about four times higher in resistant bean than in the sensitive and moderate tolerant cowpea cultivars, which may play a major role in seed resistance to weevil.     

菜豆种子蛋白的变异和品种鉴定

用两种线性浓度梯度(8—20%和12—20%)的SDS聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳分析了来自14个国家的54个菜豆品种的种子蛋白.结果表明:多数多肽在品种间有淌度变异,变异发生在8个分子量区域.我们推荐本方法用于菜豆品种鉴定.种子蛋白谱与种皮颜色没有相关性.除3个品种外,凡菜豆球蛋白含3主要多肽的品种都是茎直立的矮生类型;而只有2主要多肽的品种都是茎缠绕的蔓生类型.看来,种子蛋白还可能在育种中预测其他性状.     

Patterns of genetic diversity in landraces of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) from Galicia

Knowledge of patterns of genetic diversity among existing cultivars helps to broaden the genetic base of new cultivars and maximizes the use of available germplasm resources. This study examined the organization of diversity for morphological traits in 66 landraces of cultivated common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) from Galicia and its relationship with phaseolin seed protein diversity. Data on growth habit, seed and pod traits obtained from field evaluations at two locations during the 1989—91 cropping seasons were subjected to multivariate statistical analysis. Cluster analysis based on 14 quantitative variables and five qualitative variables identified 11 groups. The landraces were also characterized by phaseolin electrophoresis. The results allowed separation of these landraces into Middle and Andean American groups, which could be further divided into at least eight groups within the Andean American cultivars and three within the Mesoamerican cultivars. These groups in turn corresponded to the previously described races Nueva Granada and Peru of South American origin, and races Durango, Jalisco and Mesoamerica from the Middle American domestication centre. These results confirm the existence of two major groups of germplasm in the cultivated common bean landraces from Galicia, Mesoamerican vs. Andean American.     

The Nutritive Value of Ten Inbred Lines of Faba Beans (Vicia faba L.) in Relation to their Content of Antinutritional Constituents and Protein Quality

Ten inbred lines of fabe beans (Vicia faba L.) selected according to their quality characters have been investigated for carbohydrates, proteins, and antinutritional compounds. Digestible energy, N-balance trials with growing rats comprising determination of the protein digestibility and biological value were used as criteria in connection with comprehensive chemical-biochemical analysis. The chemical composition of the ten lines showed a considerable diversity as cad the results from the rat crisis. However, the content of vicine and convicine in all or the investigated lines were below the level previously found to have effects on the nutritive value, Starch, protein and fibre were the quantitatively dominating seed constituents, and all showed great variation among the lines. The starch content was not correlated to the quality or nutritive value of the seed, whereas the protein content was negatively correlated to the biological value and net protein utilization. These correlations followed the content of essential amino acids, lysine, threonine and methionine in the faba bean proteins. The content of the sulfur-containing ammo acids cysteine and methionine are especially dominant factors for protein quality. A simple method for total sulphur determination was found nut 10 be a sufficiently reliable technique for evaluating the content of methionine and cysteine in the faba beans. Tannin, insoluble- and total dietary fibre are phenolic aromatic compounds which were negatively correlated with the faba bean quality as expressed by digestible energy, the protein digestibility and the biological value of the faba beans. The results obtained have also revealed, that it is not sufficient to consider tannin as a group in relation to the faba bean quality. We need to separate and evaluate the different types, of phenolics in relation to the variations in quality of faba beans. Some of the low molecular weight (LMW) phenolics in the faba beans seem 10 be involved in inhibitory effects on hydrolase enzymes, chymotrypsin and trypsin. Trypsin and chymotrypsin from different animals were different in their sensitivity to faba bean inhibitors and additional experiments are required to reveal details about these effects. It has also been revealed that fructosans Lind LMW carbohydrates (oligosaccharides) are important in relation to the quality of faba beans.     

Modification of Heterosis for Protein and Yield Components by Bean Common Mosaic Virus in Phaseolus vulgaris

The effect of bean common mosaic virus on yield, yield components, and seed protein content was studied in tour bean cultivars and their F1 hybrids. The results of this experiment showed 3 significant decrease for yield in diseased plants; the 100 seed weight was also significantly reduced in one of the diseased varieties. The percentage of protein was increased m virus-diseased plants: this increase was due to non-protein nitrogen. Usually, the percentage of heterosis in virus-diseased F1 hybrid of two susceptible varieties was decreased while in F1 hybrids of “susceptible × resistant” varieties it was increased. This study shows the danger of drawing conclusions in quantitative genetic studies then dealing with both diseased and healthy plants.     

Yield and Yield Components from Intercropping Improved Bush Bean Cultivars with Maize

Bush bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is widely intercropped with maize ( Zea mays L.) in North-west Spain. Little information is available on the relative performance of elite bush bean cultivars when intercropped or on the effect of bush bean on performance of the maize crop. This two-environment study presents the interactions between improved bush bean cultivars and maize on yield and yield components. Eight treatments (four bean/maize intercrops and four sole crops, two of bean and two of maize) were tested using a randomized complete block design with four replications in two environments. Bean and maize were planted simultaneously in alternate rows when intercropped. Significant treatment differences were observed for bean and maize moisture, pod and cob percentage, bean and maize yield, ears per plant and ear length. Location effects were significant for bean and maize moisture and pod percentage. Significant treatment by location interactions occurred for pod percentage and ear length. Intercropping reduced yield by between 40 and 60 % for bush bean cultivars, and by 45 % for both maize cultivars. Mean yields were used to calculate the land equivalent ratio (LER), which averaged 1.01 in Pontevedra but 0.93 in La Coruña. Intercropping of bush bean with maize did not make better use of land than conventional sole cropping under these environmental conditions. It is suggested that this was probably due to the amount and distribution of rain in relation to crop growth. Approaches that might be expected to result in improved land usage are presented.     

Screening for Drought Resistance: Evaluation of Drought Susceptibility Index of Legume Plants under Natural Growth Conditions

Eighteen cultivars of legume species (field bean, soybean, field pea, lupine) were screened for drought tolerance in 3 year-long field experiments. The aim of the investigations was to evaluate the generic variation of drought susceptibility of the tested varieties. The experimental plots were equipped with an installation which enabled the limitation of the water content in soil and soil irrigation. The applied drought susceptibility index (DSI) considered the relations between seed yield of plants under drought conditions (Y_D) and that under conditions of good soil watering (Y_IR) as well as their dependence on the drought severity index (D_S). The use of the index divided the cultivars into two groups of different drought tolerances. The group of drought resistant cultivars characterized by mean values of the DSI index < 0.31 comprised field bean cultivars Bourdon, Gobo and Nadwislanski, soybean cultivars Aldana, Polan and Progres, field pea cultivars Miko and Solara and lupine cultivars Popiel and Bac. To the drought sensitive cultivars with DSI > 0.44 belonged Victor and Bronto of field bean species, Bareness and Mige of field pea species and Emir of lupine species. In general, the resistant cultivars when compared with the susceptible ones were characterized by lesser yield of seeds, which, however, was more stable both under conditions of drought and moistured plots. Any dependence of the degree of drought tolerance on the duration of the particular periods of plant growth was not observed in the experiments, however, both in’ drought susceptible and drought resistant cultivars there appeared the tendency to shorten the development phases under drought and to prolong them under artificial irrigation. In general, based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that legume plants belong to the species sensitive to water supply. The observed decrease of plant seed yield under moderate natural soil dryness in the year 1993 differed only a little from that found in experiments in the years 1994 and 1995, when soil dryness was much more severe.     

Old and New Cultivars of Soya Bean (Glycine max L.) Subjected to Soil Drying Differ in Abscisic Acid Accumulation,Water Relations Characteristics and Yield

Two old (Huangsedadou and Longxixiaohuangpi (LX)) and two new (Jindou 19 (JD) and Zhonghuang 30 (ZH)) soya bean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) cultivars were used to investigate the influence of soil drying on the abscisic acid (ABA) accumulation in leaves, stomatal conductance (g_s), leaf water relations, osmotic adjustment (OA), leaf desiccation tolerance, yield and yield components. The greater ABA accumulation was induced by soil drying, which also inducing g_s decreased at higher soil water contents (SWC) and leaf relative water content (RWC) significantly decreased at lower SWC in the new soya bean cultivars than in the old soya bean cultivars. The soil water threshold between the value at which stomata began to close and the RWC began to decrease was significantly broader in the new cultivars than in the old cultivars. The new cultivars had significantly higher OA and lower lethal leaf water potential than old cultivars when the soil dried. The old cultivars had greater biomass, but lower grain yield than the new cultivars in well‐watered, moderate stress and severe stress conditions. Thus with soil drying, the new soya bean cultivars demonstrated greater adaptation to drought by inducing greater ABA accumulation, stomatal closure at higher SWC, enhanced OA and better water relations, associated with increased leaf desiccation tolerance, greater water use efficiency and higher yield.     

样品制备对转基因抗虫棉外源Bt蛋白定量检测的影响

采用ELISA(Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay)方法,以转Bt基因抗虫棉品种中棉所45(ZGK 9822)和鄂抗虫棉1号(GK 19)为研究材料,对叶片的不同组织、同一样品不同的冻存时间和同一样品不同研磨程度的Bt蛋白进行定量检测。结果表明:叶片不同组织Bt蛋白表达量差异较小,叶脉Bt蛋白表达量略高于叶肉和叶柄的Bt蛋白表达量;转基因抗虫棉单位鲜物质质量Bt蛋白含量和单位可溶性总蛋白Bt蛋白含量随着冻存时间的延长而降低,鄂抗虫棉1号单位鲜物质质量Bt蛋白含量冻存90 d样品与冻存30 d、60 d样品差异显著,单位可溶性总蛋白Bt蛋白含量无显著差异;不同研磨程度对转基因抗虫棉单位鲜物质质量Bt蛋白含量和单位可溶性总蛋白Bt蛋白含量都存在影响,其中差异最大的为鄂抗虫棉1号,200目试样比50目试样单位鲜物质质量Bt蛋白含量上升了56%,单位可溶性总蛋白Bt蛋白含量上升了38%。     

Nutritional and culinary quality of bush bean populations intercropped with maize

Summary The intereropping of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) is a common practice in the Northwest of the Iberian Peninsula. In this experiment, 25 populations of bush bean were evaluated for nutritional and culinary traits of dry seed and immature pod in sole crop and in intercrop in two years and in two locations, in order to determine whether selection of bush bean in sole crop can result in genetic progress for intercrop.There were no differences in the population means between cropping systems. Significant differences were detected among populations for all traits tudied except starch content, crude ash, water absorption and coat proportion. Population x environment interaction was significant for pod thickness. Bean populations did not interact with cropping systems for any trait, although there were differences between cropping systems for crude protein. These results suggest that a sole crop system provides sufficient information to select bean populations efficiently for the bush bean-maize intercropping system, although the advanced generations of the breeding program should be tested for quantitative traits such as protein content in the appropriate cropping system (intercropping) to know the competitive ability with the associated species. This would permit to choose bush bean populations which complement more efficiently and would be less competitive with the maize population.     

几种红小豆理化特性及淀粉性质研究

旨在通过比较不同品种红小豆的理化特性及淀粉性质,筛选优质红小豆品种。本试验以7个不同产地不同品种红小豆为代表性的试验材料,进行理化测定,包括豆粒水分、百粒重、直链淀粉、出沙率。通过湿法提取淀粉,测定其基本性质（水分、脂肪、灰分、粒径、颗粒形貌及黏度）。结果表明：7个品种红小豆理化性质具有显著性差异,豆粒水分含量10.27%~16.35%,百粒重7.02~14.45 g,直链淀粉28.30%~35.43%以及出沙率60.40%~67.85%,理化性质测定中5号样品均为最高值。几种红小豆淀粉特性具有显著性差异,灰分0.05%~0.43%,水分8.85%~9.64%,脂肪0.04~0.13 g/100 g,粒径值549.32~1460.40 nm。峰值黏度为2459.50~4121.00 cp,最终黏度为4054.50~4765.50 cp,跌落值178.50~1257.50 cp,5 号样品回升值最高为2201.50±13.435 cp。豆粒水分、百粒重、直链淀粉含量、出沙率是影响红小豆品质的主要因子。淀粉颗粒粒度、形貌及黏度可作为红小豆加工品质评价的依据,本试验筛选出5 号‘天津红’加工品质优于其他6种红小豆。     

强筋小麦磨粉各出粉点的面粉品质特性研究

采用布勒实验磨制粉,测定6个强筋小麦品种不同出粉点面粉的品质特性。结果表明,不同出粉点面粉的品质特性具有明显差异及变化规律。三道心磨粉的灰分含量、蛋白质含量、面糊色泽a*值和b*值、破损淀粉含量、面团形成时间和吸水率随出粉点后移均呈升高或增加趋势;而湿面筋含量、面糊色泽L*值、面团稳定时间、延伸性和最大抗延阻力随出粉点后移而降低。三道皮磨粉的蛋白质含量、湿面筋含量、破损淀粉含量、面团吸水率、稳定时间、拉伸面积、延伸性随出粉点后移呈上升趋势;而面团拉伸参数和面包烘焙品质均高于心磨粉和统粉。不同出粉点的蛋白质与湿面筋含量呈极显著正相关(r=0.81**);灰分含量与面糊色泽的L*值呈极显著负相关(r=－0.89**);破损淀粉含量与吸水率呈极显著正相关(r=0.86**)。研究表明,通过对各出粉点取舍及混配,能够克服我国强筋小麦某些指标缺陷,以满足面包专用粉各项指标要求。     

Genetic analysis of edamame seed composition and trait relationships in soybean lines

Edamame, a vegetable or specialty soybean (Glycine max) with high nutritional and market value, is relatively new to North America. Because of its health and nutritional benefits and globalized trade, the edamame market and acreage in the United States are steadily increasing. To facilitate edamame breeding and commercial production, we genetically analyzed edamame seed composition using 86 breeding lines and cultivars developed in the U.S. Significant genotypic differences based on a single year or 2-year joint analysis were observed for most traits investigated, including protein, oil, dietary fiber, starch, sucrose, stachyose and total sugar content. No significant genotypic difference was observed for ash content in both years and for raffinose content in year 2016. Yearly differences were also significant except for sucrose, stachyose and total sugar. Genotype-by-year interaction was significant for protein, sucrose, raffinose and total sugar, but insignificant for other traits. The heritability was high and relatively stable for protein and oil content, followed by stachyose content, but was low for ash and starch content. The heritability for sucrose, total sugar and dietary fiber content varied from 38 to 75%. Genotypic correlations were insignificant among most traits. However, protein content was negatively correlated with oil content and dietary fiber, but positively associated with stachyose. Oil content was negatively correlated with starch and individual sugars. Although positive phenotypic or Pearson’s correlation existed between total sugar content and individual sugars, and between sucrose and starch content, their genotypic correlations were insignificant.     

Responses of Soya bean Yield and Yield Component Distribution across the Main Axis under Source–Sink Manipulation

Extensive studies have been conducted regarding the source–sink alterations on soya bean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yield, but limited information is available for the seed yield and distribution of yield components across main nodes under whole‐plant light‐enriched conditions. A 2‐year research was conducted at the University of Massachusetts Agronomy Farm under ambient and light‐enriched conditions for two old and two new cultivars planted with a normal density. A randomized block design was used in each year. Light enrichment was initiated at the onset of flowering by installing a 90‐cm tall wire mesh fencing (mesh hole size 4–5 cm) adjacent to the centre row and sloping away at a 45° angle and was left in place for the remainder of the growing season. Five source–sink manipulations were initiated following the establishment of light enrichment. The yield sensitivity of the two old cultivars to the changes in source strength and light‐enriched conditions during reproductive period was much greater than that of the two new cultivars. The increased yield by light enrichment in various manipulations of source–sink treatments was, in part, due to increased branch contribution. Most pods were produced at the nodes in the middle sections of the plants and appeared in higher node position in new cultivars compared with the old cultivars. Seed number per pod and seed size was quite uniform across all node positions. Seed size of both the old and the new cultivars was responsive to changes in the source–sink ratio and changes in the environment during the growth of the soya bean plant. The results suggested that soya bean plants showed several mechanisms to control or realize their excess reproductive potential in a constantly changing environment.     

Grain Protein Quality in Response to Changes in Pre-anthesis Duration in Wheats Released in 1940, 1964 and 1994

Grain protein content is one of the most important attributes in bread making quality. Several studies have reported that the type of, and the balances between, storage protein (i.e. gliadins and glutenins) are also relevant. Generally, the modern cultivars present less grain protein content than their predecessors, suggesting that breeding may have reduced baking quality while improving yield. Furthermore, there is little information on whether, and eventually how, breeding influences the types of protein synthesized in the grains, and the sensitivity of the type of protein and baking quality to changes in the environment. This study aimed to determine the stability in baking quality in wheat cultivars released at different eras to variation in the duration of the pre-anthesis period without changes in the sowing date. The experiment studied the combination of three cultivars released in 1940, 1964 and 1994 at two different durations from sowing to anthesis (because of exposure to different photoperiods during stem elongation in the field). Modern cultivars showed lower grain protein content than the oldest ones (11 vs. 14 %). There were no correlation between grain protein content and baking quality (assessed by Zeleny test), indicating that protein type is more important than grain protein content. Gliadins were more variable than glutenins because of differences between cultivars and flowering dates. Wheat breeding also seemed to have improved the stability of quality variables in response to environmental variation during the pre-anthesis period (when yield potential is being determined).     

Changes in the Relationship Between Temperature During the Seed‐Filling Period and Soya Bean Seed Isoflavones Under Water‐Deficit Conditions

Isoflavones have been shown to have health‐promoting activities in humans and are particularly abundant in soya bean. This study was conducted to determine how water deficit during seed fill affects the already known relationship between temperature and, alternately, solar radiation with soya bean seed isoflavone content. Isoflavone profile was analysed from seed samples of commercial cultivars grown in 76 environments in Argentina (29–38°S). Significant explanatory multiple linear regressions were detected for total isoflavones (TI), aglycones (AGL), glucosides (GLC), malonyl glucosides (MAL) and acetyl glucosides (ACE) regarding the following: temperature during seed fill (Tm_R5R7) and precipitation minus potential evapotranspiration during the reproductive period (pp‐PET_R1R7), as well as for the combinations of these climatic variables. Cumulative solar radiation predicted isoflavone content but was less robust than Tm_R5R7 and pp‐PET_R1R7. To our knowledge, this is the first report of changes in the relationship between TI, as well as AGL, GLC, MAL, and ACE and Tm_R5R7 as a function of drought in the field. When pp‐PET_R1R7 was below 70 mm (indicating drought), TI, as well as AGL, GLC, MAL, and ACE decreased linearly with rising temperatures and with increasing water deficit (decreasing values of pp‐PET_R1R7), with both climatic variables exhibiting additive effects on isoflavones. Our results also suggest that water deficit (estimated by pp‐PET_R1R7) would be important for modelling the relationship between temperature and soya bean seed isoflavones in rainfed crops.     

Genotype × cropping system interaction in climbing beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown as sole crop and in association with maize (Zea mays L.)

The selection of cultivars for the predominant cropping systems of small farms in the tropics depends to a large extent on the information obtained by testing their performance across the different systems. The main objective of this experiment was to measure the genotype × cropping system (G × CS) interaction for yield and selected agronomic traits of climbing beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) grown as sole crop and intercropped with two morphologically contrasting maize (Zea mays L.) cultivars. A secondary objective was to identify the most efficient and productive bean–maize intercrop combinations. Seven climbing bean genotypes were grown as sole crop and intercropped with two maize varieties, BH 140 (Mix. 1) and Guto (Mix. 2), in a factorial arranged Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications at Bako Agricultural Research Center in western Ethiopia. Main effects due to genotype and cropping system (except days to flowering) were significant for all bean traits considered. The genotypes × cropping system interaction terms were also significant for the number of seeds per pod, 100-seed weight, harvest index and seed yield. While bean seed yield significantly correlated with the number of seeds per pod (in Mix. 1) and with harvest index (in both mixtures), positive and significant correlations occurred with the number of pods per plant and 100-seed weight under sole cropping system. The correlation between bean seed yields of Mix. 1 and Mix. 2 and between Mix. 2 and sole crop were positive and significant. No such relationship was found between Mix. 1 and sole crop. The results suggest that selection of suitable climbing bean cultivars for intercropping with maize varieties predominantly grown in the area should be made under the associated culture of the two crops. Intercropping contributed to a significant reduction in seed yield of the bean genotypes due mainly to its adverse effects on the numbers of pods per plant and seeds per pod. The index tLER₁ identified most bean–maize genotype combinations of Mix. 2 as biologically more efficient system than Mix. 1. On the other hand, tLER₂ values of more than 1.00 for all treatments of Mix. 2 demonstrated higher overall productivity of the intercrop system when the bean genotypes were grown in association with a late-maturing and high yielding maize hybrid BH 140.