Early growth of common bean cropped over ruzigrass residues

Ruzigrass (Brachiaria ruziziensis, syn. Urochloa ruziziensis) is used as a cover crop in tropical regions because it has a high yield potential, is widely adapted and has a vigorous root system. However, it may affect early growth of the next crop due to allelopathy and competition for soil nitrate. A greenhouse experiment was conducted in glass-walled pots with soil to determine the effect of ruzigrass residues on the initial growth and mineral nutrition of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). Ruzigrass was grown in the pots for 50 days and chemically desiccated. Then, common bean was grown: without ruzigrass residues; with ruzigrass shoots placed on the soil surface; with ruzigrass roots left in the soil; and with ruzigrass shoots and roots left undisturbed. Root growth of common bean was decreased by ruzigrass residues, but shoot biomass was not affected when it was grown in the presence of ruzigrass shoots or roots alone. In pots where ruzigrass residues were undisturbed, common bean biomass yield was decreased. Nitrogen concentration in common bean shoot was not affected by ruzigrass shoot on the soil surface, an evidence that the observed decrease in common bean growth probably was due to allelopathic effects rather than competition for nitrogen.

EFFECTS OF PLANTING DATE AND SPATIAL ARRANGEMENT ON COMMON BEAN (Phaseolus vulgaris) YIELD UNDER WEED-FREE AND WEEDY CONDITIONS

ABSTRACTTo evaluate the effect of planting date and spatial pattern on common bean yield under weed-free and weed-infested conditions, an experiment was conducted in Kelachay, Northern Iran, in 2013. The experimental design was a randomized complete block in a factorial arrangement with three replicates. Factors were planting date (10 August and 20 August), spatial pattern (square and rectangular planting pattern, with a planting distance of 30 x 30 cm and 45 x 20 cm, respectively), and weed management regime (weed-free and weedy conditions, weeded and not weeded throughout the growing season, respectively). Results showed that the main effect of planting date was significant only for pod number per plant and seed number per pod. At the same time, pod number per plant, seed number per pod, pod length, and grain yield were influenced significantly by spatial pattern. Results of ANOVA have also indicated that all traits, except pod length, were influenced significantly by weed-management regimes. Moreover, effect of planting date and spatial pattern were nonsignificant for weed dry weight. Mean comparison has expressed a significant increment in seed yield for square planting arrangement (1,055 kg ha-1) over rectangular (971 kg ha-1). Weeding has also presented an overall 12% and 8% improvement in grain and pod yield over control (weedy check), respectively. Based on the results of this study, weed control, as well as square planting pattern, are recommended for obtaining the highest seed yield in common bean.

APPLICATION HEIGHT IN HERBICIDES EFFICIENCY IN BEAN CROPS

ABSTRACTInadequate herbicide application can result in failures in weed control and/or poisoning of the crops, resulting in yield losses. In this research were assessed the effects of the sprayer nozzle boom height in the distribution of the spray solution for weed control, influencing intoxication of beans and crop yield. Experiments were conducted in laboratory and field conditions. In laboratory, the performance of flat spray tip TT 11002 was assessed at heights 0.20, 0.30, 0.40 and 0.50 meters with respect to the target surface. In the field the same heights were assessed in applications of herbicides fomesafen, fluazifop-P-butyl and fomesafen + fluazifop-P-butyl. There was an inverse relationship between the height of the spray boom and the coefficients of variation of the patterns. The mixture better efficiency in a tank of fluazifop-P-butyl + fomesafen was obtained with the height of 0.50 m from the target. This treatment resulted in better weed control, lower poisoning of the bean plants and better crop yield rates.

Composição florística do componente arbóreo e afinidade fitogeográfica de uma floresta semidecídua em Nova Lima, MG

O Município de Nova Lima, na Região Metropolitana de Belo Horizonte (MG), encontra-se no contato entre os domínios do Cerrado e da Mata Atlântica, que são dois hotspots de biodiversidade. Uma amostragem florística foi realizada em uma floresta semidecídua (20°00' S e 43°55' W) com o objetivo de avaliar sua relação com outras florestas semidecíduas e ombrófilas presentes em ambos os domínios a avaliar sua afinidade fitogeográfica. A região estudada encontra-se sob alta pressão antrópica devido à expansão urbana. A amostragem florística foi baseada na coleta de todos os indivíduos lenhosos presentes fora e dentro de 44 parcelas retangulares de 20 × 5 metros. A floresta estudada foi comparada com outras presentes no Distrito Federal e dos Estados de Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro e Goiás usando análises multivariadas. Foram encontradas 205 espécies representando 49 famílias botânicas. O registro de espécies com distribuição restritas a Mata Atlântica foi 15 vezes maior que do Cerrado. A flora arbórea da floresta estudada é, em boa medida, um subconjunto da flora das florestas ombrófilas, tendo espécies provavelmente mais eficientes em resistir e competir sob condições de seca mais prolongada. Assim, a floresta semidecídua estudada pode ser considerada como floresta atlântica sensu lato.

Alternative procedures for parent choice in a breeding program for the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Six common bean cultivars were crossed in diallel and the segregant populations were assessed in the F2 and F3 generations to compare methodologies for parental selection in a breeding program based on hybridization. The cultivars involved in the diallel were A 114, A 77, ESAL 686, Milionário, Carioca, and Flor de Mayo. The segregant F2 and F3 generations were assessed on the experimental campus of the Universidade Federal de Larvas, in July 1994. It was found that the cultivars differed in their general combining ability (GCA). Flor de Mayo, which belongs to the Durango race, had the largest positive GCA estimate for grain field, and the cultivars from the Mesoamerican race, Milionário and A 114, the smallest GCA estimates. For flowering, the cultivar that most contributed to reduced plant cycle was ESAL 686. There was agreement among the results obtained from the diallel and the estimates of the parameter m + a of the populations. However, it was evident that the estimate of genetic variance of the populations should be considered as a condition to identify the hybrid population that will produce a line with high performance.

Genetic control of characters associated with bean golden mosaic geminivirus resistance in Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Bean golden mosaic is the most important viral disease of the bean crop (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in Latin America. The genetics of resistance to a Brazilian strain of bean golden mosaic virus (BGMV), was studied in a 4 x 4 diallel cross without reciprocals, among the parental genotypes DOR 303, EMGOPA 201 Ouro, Carnaval, and Redlands Greenleaf C. Seedlings of the four parents, six F1 hybrids, 12 backcrosses, and F2 generations for each combination were inoculated on the eighth day after sowing by exposure to a viruliferous whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Genn.) population for 24 h, in a glasshouse, prior to transplantation to field conditions. The full set of two parents, F1, F2 and respective backcrosses for each combination was considered to be a family. Data were recorded and analyzed for foliar yellowing, plant dwarfing, and pod malformation, using a randomized block design, with two replications. Weighted generation mean analysis was performed for each of the six families. An additive gene action model was significant for the three characteristics evaluated. On the other hand, non-additive gene action had greater absolute value in most cases. Resistance to foliar yellowing conferred by genes from DRO 303 was highly heritable and was expressed equally well in the different genetic backgrounds evaluated. Such resistance may be oligogenic. Broad- and narrow-sense heritabilities were relatively high for all response traits. The three traits studied were all positively correlated, indicating that they can be simultaneously selected for enhancement. The highest correlation coefficient was obtained for dwarfing x pod malformation.

Inheritance of anthracnose resistance in common bean genotypes P.I. 207262 and AB 136

Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) lines P.I. 207262 and AB 136, both resistant to delta and kappa races of Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, were crossed with Michelite, Dark Red Kidney, and Perry Marrow, susceptible to both races, and with Cornell 49-242, resistant to delta and susceptible to kappa. F1 and F2 reactions demonstrated that P.I. 207262 carries duplicate dominant genes for resistance to the delta race; AB 136 carries a dominant gene. These resistance genes are independent of the Are gene from Cornell 49-242. With respect to the kappa race, F1 and F2 data showed that the resistance controlled by P.I. 207262 and by AB 136 depends on a single dominant gene. Complementary factors were involved with AB 136 resistance to the delta race and with P.I. 207262 resistance to kappa.

DL-methionine supplementation of rice-and-bean diets affects gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase activity and glutathione content in livers of growing rats

Gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT-EC 2.3.2.2) activity and glutathione (GSH) content were measured in livers of female weanling Wistar rats (N = 5-18), submitted to rice-and-bean diets (13 and 6% w/w protein), both supplemented or not with DL-methionine (0.5 and 0.23 g/100 g dry diet, respectively). After 28 days, the rats on the rice-and-bean diets showed significantly higher levels (four times higher) of liver GGT activity and a concomitant 50% lower concentration of liver GSH in comparison with control groups feeding on casein. The addition of DL-methionine to rice-and-bean diets significantly increased the liver GSH content, which reached levels 50% higher than those found in animals on casein diets. The increase in GSH was accompanied by a decrease in liver GGT activity, which did not reach levels as low as those observed in the control groups. No significant correlation could be established between GGT and GSH changes under the present experimental conditions. Linear correlation analysis only revealed that in animals submitted to unsupplemented rice-and-bean diets GSH concentration was positively associated (P<0.05) with weight gain, food intake and food efficiency. GGT, however, was negatively correlated (P<0.05) with food intake only, and exclusively for supplemented rice-and-bean diets. The high levels of GGT activity observed in the present study for rats receiving a rice-and-bean mixture could be a result of the poor quality of these diets associated with their deficiency in sulfur amino acids. The results also suggest that diet supplementation with methionine could be important in the reduction of the deleterious effects of GSH depletion by restoring the intracellular concentration of this tripeptide.

Obese women on a low energy rice and bean diet: effects of leucine, arginine or glycine supplementation on protein turnover

This study examined if leucine, arginine or glycine supplementation in adult obese patients (body mass index of 33 ± 4 kg/m²) consuming a Brazilian low energy and protein diet (4.2 MJ/day and 0.6 g protein/kg) affects protein and amino acid metabolism. After four weeks adaptation to this diet, each subject received supplements of these amino acids (equivalent to 0.2 g protein kg-1 day-1) in random order. On the seventh day of each amino acid supplementation, a single-dose 15N-glycine study was carried out. There were no significant differences in protein flux, synthesis or breakdown. The protein flux (grams of nitrogen, gN/9 h) was 55 ± 24 during the nonsupplemented diet intake and 39 ± 10, 44 ± 22 and 58 ± 35 during the leucine-, glycine- and arginine-supplemented diet intake, respectively; protein synthesis (gN/9 h) was 57 ± 24, 36 ± 10, 41 ± 22 and 56 ± 36, respectively; protein breakdown (gN/9 h) was 51 ± 24, 34 ± 10, 32 ± 28 and 53 ± 35, respectively; kinetic balance (gN/9 h) was 3.2 ± 1.8, 4.1 ± 1.7, 3.4 ± 2.9 and 3.9 ± 1.6. There was no difference in amino acid profiles due to leucine, arginine or glycine supplementation. The present results suggest that 0.6 g/kg of dietary protein is enough to maintain protein turnover in obese women consuming a reduced energy diet and that leucine, arginine or glycine supplementation does not change kinetic balance or protein synthesis.

Evidence for the endophytic colonization of Phaseolus vulgaris(common bean) roots by the diazotroph Herbaspirillum seropedicae

Herbaspirillum seropedicae is an endophytic diazotrophic bacterium, which associates with important agricultural plants. In the present study, we have investigated the attachment to and internal colonization of Phaseolus vulgaris roots by the H. seropedicae wild-type strain SMR1 and by a strain of H. seropedicae expressing a red fluorescent protein (DsRed) to track the bacterium in the plant tissues. Two-day-old P. vulgaris roots were incubated at 30°C for 15 min with 6 x 10(8) CFU/mL H. seropedicae SMR1 or RAM4. Three days after inoculation, 4 x 10(4) cells of endophytic H. seropedicae SMR1 were recovered per gram of fresh root, and 9 days after inoculation the number of endophytes increased to 4 x 10(6) CFU/g. The identity of the recovered bacteria was confirmed by amplification and sequencing of the 16SrRNA gene. Furthermore, confocal microscopy of P. vulgaris roots inoculated with H. seropedicae RAM4 showed that the bacterial cells were attached to the root surface 15 min after inoculation; fluorescent bacteria were visible in the internal tissues after 24 h and were found in the central cylinder after 72 h, showing that H. seropedicae RAM4 is capable of colonizing the roots of the dicotyledon P. vulgaris. Determination of dry weight of common bean inoculated with H. seropedicae SMR1 suggested that this bacterium has a negative effect on the growth of P. vulgaris.

Simultaneous allergen inactivation and detoxification of castor bean cake by treatment with calcium compounds

Ricinus communis L. is of great economic importance due to the oil extracted from its seeds. Castor oil has been used for pharmaceutical and industrial applications, as a lubricant or coating agent, as a component of plastic products, as a fungicide or in the synthesis of biodiesel fuels. After oil extraction, a castor cake with a large amount of protein is obtained. However, this by-product cannot be used as animal feed due to the presence of toxic (ricin) and allergenic (2S albumin) proteins. Here, we propose two processes for detoxification and allergen inactivation of the castor cake. In addition, we establish a biological test to detect ricin and validate these detoxification processes. In this test, Vero cells were treated with ricin, and cell death was assessed by cell counting and measurement of lactate dehydrogenase activity. The limit of detection of the Vero cell assay was 10 ng/mL using a concentration of 1.6 x 10(5) cells/well. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) and treatment with calcium compounds were used as cake detoxification processes. For SSF, Aspergillus niger was grown using a castor cake as a substrate, and this cake was analyzed after 24, 48, 72, and 96 h of SSF. Ricin was eliminated after 24 h of SSF treatment. The cake was treated with 4 or 8% Ca(OH)2 or CaO, and both the toxicity and the allergenic properties were entirely abolished. A by-product free of toxicity and allergens was obtained.

In vitro protein digestibility of enzymatically pre-treated bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) flour using commercial protease and Bacillus sp. protease

The common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is a staple food in the Brazilian diet and represents the major source of dietary protein and other micronutrients and minerals. Despite the considerable protein concentration in beans, the food is considered of low biological value when compared to animal proteins and other plant protein sources. To improve the availability of protein in beans, enzymatic treatments were performed in four cultivars (ON, OPNS, TAL and VC3). The approach was a completely randomized design with four replicates. We used a 4 × 3 factorial arrangement (four cultivars and three treatments: treatment 1-addition of commercial protease (Trypsin 250, Difco), treatment 2-addition of protease from Bacillus sp., and treatment 3:-control without enzyme addition). The enzyme: substrate ratio was 5% w/w (amount of enzyme per total protein in bean flour). The approach was a completely randomized design with four replicates. A 4 × 3 factorial arrangement (four cultivars and three treatments, the same as those mentioned above) was used. The concentration of total protein (g.100 g-1 of dry matter) in the samples ranged from 16.94 to 18.06%, while the concentration of total phenolics was between 0.78 and 1.12% (g Eq. tannic acid.100 g-1 dry matter). The in vitro protein digestibility of enzymatically untreated bean flour (control) ranged from 47.30 to 56.17% based on the digestibility of casein. Concentrations of P, K, Ca, Mg, and Zn observed in the four cultivars tested were within the average values available in the literature. Treatment 2 with protease from Bacillus sp. induced decreases in the levels of Cu and Mn. The average Fe content increased in all bean flour samples when treated with proteases, reaching a maximum increase of 102% in the TAL flour treated with protease from Bacillus sp. The digestibility of all beans tested was significantly increased (p < 0.05) after the enzyme treatment. The greatest change was observed in the OPNS cultivar treated with protease from Bacillus sp., which increased its digestibility from 54.4% (control treatment) to 81.6%.

Cultivar, harvest year, and storage conditions affecting nutritional quality of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Sixteen common bean cultivars were compared concerning the physicochemical characteristics of their raw seeds in the course of two consecutive harvests, as well as the effect of storage conditions on starch and dietary fiber content of cooked beans. Using cluster analysis it was possible to identify groups of cultivars with different nutritional features. Bean cultivars were categorized into four different groups according either to their macronutrient content (crude protein-PROT, total dietary fiber-TDF, insoluble dietary fiber-IDF, soluble dietary fiber-SDF, digestible starch-DS, and resistant starch-RS) or to their micronutrient levels (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, Ca, Mg, and P). Guateian 6662 and Rio Tibagi appeared to be the most suitable cultivars to prevent nutritional deficiencies, because they had high PROT, DS, Fe, and Zn content. The high total dietary fiber and RS content of Iraí, Minuano, and TPS Bonito cultivars, and specially the high soluble fiber content of Guateian 6662 and Rio Tibagi cultivars suggests that they could have a beneficial role in controlling blood lipid and glucose levels. Cooked beans had a decrease in DS and an increase in RS content after storage (4 °C or -20 °C), but these changes were more prominent in beans that had low RS content before cooking than in those of high RS content. TDF, IDF, and SDF did not change after storage.

Processing and characterization of extruded breakfast meal formulated with broken rice and bean flour

The objective of this work was to develop an extruded breakfast product containing broken rice and split old beans and to verify the influence of the extrusion process on their physicochemical, technological, and sensory characteristic. The final product had a protein content of 9.9 g.100 g-1, and therefore it can be considered a good source of proteins for children and teenagers. The dietary fiber content of the final edible product was 3.71 g.100 g-1. Therefore, the breakfast meal may be considered as a source of dietary fiber according to Brazilian law . As for the technological properties, the extruded product presented an expansion index of 8.89 and apparent density of 0.25 g.cm-3. With regard to the sensory analysis, the acceptance average was ranked between 6.8 and 7.7, corresponding to the categories "liked slightly" and "liked very much". With regard to purchase intention, 79% of the panelists said they would certainly or possibly purchase the product. Broken rice and split old beans are interesting alternatives for the elaboration of extruded breakfast products presenting good nutritional, technological, and sensory qualities.

Characterization of pre-gelatinized rice and bean flour

The objective of this study was to develop a pre-gelatinized flour using a mixture of broken rice and split beans by thermoplastic extrusion, and to evaluate the physicochemical, nutritional, and technological quality of the final product. The extrusion parameters were maintained using three heating zones with temperatures of 30 ºC, 40 ºC, and 70 ºC; screw speed of 177 rpm; feed rate of 257 g/m, and circular matrix of 3.85 mm. The following characterization analyses were performed: physicochemical, nutritional, water absorption index (WAI), water solubility index (WSI), and paste viscosity. The pre-gelatinized rice and bean flour had an intermediate value of WAI, 7.51 g/g, and high WSI value, 24.61%. Regarding proteins, it was verified an average content of 12.9% in the final product. The amino acid contents found in the pre-gelatinized flour indicate that the mixture has the essential amino acids. It was also found that the pre-gelatinized flour supplies more than 60% of the essential amino acids recommended for children aged one to three years old. The gelatinized flour composed of broken rice and split beans is an alternative to the use of these by-products of the manufacture process of rice and beans to obtain a product with viable technological characteristics and high nutritional value.