Abstract: To evaluate the variability among cultivars and landraces of common bean(Phaseolus vulgaris L.), 15 cultivars and 18 landraces of common bean (Phaseolus vulgarisL.), a undefined species of Phaseolus,two landraces of Vigna angularis L., and a landrace of soybean (Glycine maxL.), were screened with fifteen oligonucleotide primers in PCR reactions. An average of 20.3 RAPD bands were scored per primer. A total of 304 amplification products were scored of which 88.8% were polymorphic among Phaseolus genotypes. Based on the RAPD markers, four major clusters were formed. Three clusters corresponded to the soybean, to the two Vigna angularis landraces, and to the Phaseolus sp. landrace, respectively. The fourth cluster include all the landraces and cultivars of Phaseolus vulgaris. This large group could be separated into three subgroups that were correlated with the phaseolin patterns and the average seed weight of the genotypes. The analysis shows that most of the landraces collected in South Brazil (17 out of 18) belong to the Andean gene pool, and most of the cultivars (13 out of 15) belong to the Middle American gene pool.

Abstract: Seed protein profiles of 47 accessions belonging to eleven species and four tribes of grain legumes were studied, by extracting the total proteins from ten single seeds in each accession and performing SDS-Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. All eleven species were clearly recognizable from their protein banding patterns, but only Phaseolus vulgaris expressed high intraspecific variations, followed by Lathyrus sativus. Variation among accessions of other species was very limited. Cluster analysis, after quantifying the protein bands, using UPGMA procedure, showed phylogenetic relationships which were in a good concordance with species classification base d on morphological characters. Accessions of tribe Vicieae formed one cluster (Vicia faba, Lens culinaris, Pisum sativum, Lathyrus sativus and Vicia ervilia) having nearly equal amounts of three categories of polypeptide: high, moderate and low molecular weight. The second cluster was a small tribe of Cicereae (Cicer arietinum accessions) having moderate and low molecular weight polypeptides. Accessions of Phaseoleae tribe formed the third cluster (Phaseolus vulgaris, Vigna unguiculata and Vigna radiata), having predominantly high molecular weight polypeptides. Finally, the more distinct tribe, Aeschynomeneae (Arachis hypogaea accessions), formed a separate cluster exhibiting a special banding pattern. A unique discrepancy was observed about Glycine max, which belongs to Phaseoleae but was clustered with Cicereae.

Abstract: The capacity of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. phaseoli to multiply in the roots of 12 non-host plant species was determined with the objective of selecting potential candidates for crop rotation and/or green manuring in infested bean fields. The plants were inoculated at the seedling stage by a benomyl-resistant mutant of the pathogen using the root-dip technique and transplanted to natural soil. The number of colony forming units/g dry root tissue (CFU/g) was determined at the full bloom stage. Quantitatively, the root colonization differed greatly among the plant species. The roots and lower stem of Dolichos lablab, Phaseolus lunatus, Mucuna aterrima, Canavalia ensiforme and Vigna unguiculata were the most compatible with the pathogen and those of Sorghum bicolor, Crotalaria juncea, Oryza sativa and Zea mays were least compatible. No disease symptoms developed on any plant species. Chlamydospore germination in the rhizosphere also differed significantly among the plant species. There was no correlation between percentage chlamydospore germination in the rhizosphere and extent of root colonization. Most plant species recommended for green manuring in bean fields allowed extensive root and stem colonization by F. o. f. sp. phaseoli and were considered as reservoir hosts. All three of the gramineous species tested and C. juncea were classed as non-reservoir host, because the pathogen did not colonize the stem and its multiplication in the roots was very low. These plant species appear to be good candidates for long-term field evaluation to determine their usefulness in an integrated management of Fusarium bean-wilt.

Abstract: Blackgram (Vigna mungo) is more salt tolerant than mungbean (Vigna radiata). This study was initiated to know whether the accumulation pattern of mineral ions in different plant parts plays a significant role in the differences in salt tolerance between the two Vigna species. Different mineral ions, viz. N, Cl, Na, K, Mg and Ca in different organs of two varieties of each of blackgram- Barimash-l (susceptible one) and Barimash-2 (tolerant one), and mungbean-Barimung-3 (tolerant one) and Barimung-4(susceptible one), were analyzed after growing with 0, 50, 75 and 100 mM NaCl solutions. The two crops showed a decreased but similar pattern of total N accumulation under saline conditions. The tolerant variety of both the crops showed a less reduction in total N than the susceptible one. Leaves showed the maximum while stem the minimum N, irrespective of levels of salinity. C and N accumulation increased with the increasing salinity levels. Interestingly, similar to a halophyte, the salt tolerant blackgram exhibited conspicuously higher amount of N in the shoot than the salt-susceptible mungbean. However, the tolerant varieties showed less amount of N than the susceptible one, especially in blackgram. Seeds of both Vigna spp. accumulated the minimum amount of N than other plant parts. accumulation decreased by salinity in most of the plant parts, except seeds. Blackgram showed larger reduction in K than mungbean. The increased in leaves, petioles and stem by salinity while decreased in the roots, podshells and seeds in both the crops. Salinity increased accumulation in all plant-parts except roots of both Vigna spp. Apparently, the leaves of mungbean accumulated higher concentration of than blackgram. Varietal differences in the accumulation pattern of , and were not clear. It was concluded that blackgram, presumably, possesses a similar salt tolerance mechanism to halophyte, and the pattern of accumulation of mineral ions in blackgram and mungbean was not fully ascribed to the differences in salinity tolerance between the two Vigna species.gna species.ies.s.ies.

Abstract: Five species of Aspergillus (A. flavus, A. terreus, A. tamarii, A. niger and A. nidulans) were tested for parasitic and mycotoxic activity against Meloidogyne jauanica in laboratory and pot experiments. In a laboratory assay, A. terreus and A. nidulans parasitized M. jauanica females. Culture filtrate of A. niger markedly inhibited egg hatching and caused juvenile mortality. These toxic activities were retained when the filtrate was heated. The activities of A. niger were probably due to non-proteinaceous compound(s). In a glasshouse evaluation, conidial suspensions and the respective culture filtrates of some Aspergillus species significantly reduced soil populations of M. javanica and root galling and increased plant height and shoot fresh weight of mungbean. A. niger in combination with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a plant growth-promoting rhizobacteriurn, significantly reduced root-knot development and nematode population densities, and increased plant growth.

Abstract: A study was conducted to determine the effect of phosphorus and potassium application on growth and yield of mungbean on a sandy clay loam soil under irrigated conditions of Faisalabad. Plant height and number of branches per plant were significantly increased by phosphorus and potassium application. Number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, 1000-seed weight and grain yields were also increased significantly by application of phosphorus and potassium along with nitrogen. Application of P2O5 and K2O each at 70 kg haG along with N application at 30 kg haG produced highest grain yield of 876.32 kg haG.

Abstract: A field experiment was conducted during 1999-2000 to 2001-2002 at Sabour, Bhagalpur, to diversify tradi- tional rice (Oryza sativa L.)-wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Firoi & Paol.) cropping system. Among the rice- based-crop sequences tested, rice-potato (Solanum tuberosum L.)-onion (Allium cepa L.) gave the highest rice-equivalent yield (26.94 tonneslhalyear), net returns (Rs 65,573lha) and production efficiency (81.6 kglhal day), followed by rice-potato-sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) having corresponding values of 23.92 tonnesl halyear, R s 61,5331ha and 80.6 kglhalday. Rice yields after green-manuring or fodder crops were higher than those after grain crops including greengram (Phaseolus radiatus L.). The highest benefit : cost ratio of 1:47 was noted in rice-berseem (Trfolium alexandrinum L. )-maize (Zea mays L.) + cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] both grown for fodder. Rice-maize + greengram system had the highest land-use efficiency (96.8%). Rice-po- tato-onion required the highest energy inputs (69.90 x lo3 MJIha), resulting in the lowest energy-use efficiency (2.46), whereas rice-potato-sunflower produced the highest output energy (205.71 x lo3 MJIha). Green-manur- ing of Sesbania aculeata during summer improved organic carbon, available N, P20, and K 2 0 level of soil.

Abstract: Seeds stored under adverse conditions will reduce the viability of germination as a result of induced aging We have established a procedure to induce accelerated aging for studying the process of aging in mung bean (Vigna radiata) seeds at the molecular level A full-length cDNA was isolated from acceleratedly aged mung bean seedlings The cDNA, VrRH1 (Vigna radiata RNA helicase 1), contains an open reading frame of 2139 bp encoding a protein of 713 amino acids VrRH1 has seven highly conserved motifs including the DEAD box as in the case of other plant RNA helicases VrRH1 was sub-cloned into an expression vector pET-28b (+), over-expressed in Escherichia coli BL 21 and purified by a Ni 2+ -agarose column The expressed protein showed double-stranded RNA unwinding and ATPase activities Either ATP or dATP is required for the unwinding activity, indicating that VrRH1 is an ATP/dATP-dependent RNA helicase Northern blot analysis showed the presence of mRNAs hybridized with a full-length cDNA fragment of VrRH1 (VrRH transcripts) in mung bean seeds that were imbibed for 16 to 32 h after accelerated aging treatment The amount of these mRNAs reached a maximum in 24 h imbibed seeds after the treatment The accumulation of VrRH transcripts was shown to lead to the appearance of 25S and 18S rRNAs in the imbibed aging mung bean seeds The results suggest that VrRH1 may play a role in the viability of mung bean seeds

Abstract: Boron (B) is an essential plant nutrient and its specific deficiency symptoms are well documented in several crops. Boron is essential for the development of reproductive tissues and its deficiency results in low grain set or poor quality seeds and fruits. Adequate B nutrition is reported to reduce incidence of some diseases in plants. About one-third of the cultivated soils, especially in the eastern and north-eastern states of India are deficient in B. Good responses for a number of crops to B have been reported. Borax and boric acid are the common B fertiliz- ers. The average amounts of B removed (g/tonne grain or other economic produce) by some crops are: 21 in wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol], 22 in pearlmillet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br. Emend. Stuntz], 36 in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], 17 in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp], 16 in cotton (Gossypium spp.), 21 in cabbage [Brassica oleracea (L.) var. capitata], 15 in cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.), 14 in castor (Ricinus communis L.), 9 in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) and 23 in brinjal (Solanum melongena L.). Boron, possibly because of its role in lignin formation is able to reduce the incidence of several diseases in plants. High amounts of B in irrigation water could be toxic to crops and irrigation water having < 3 mg B/litre is ideal for B tolerant and semi-tolerant crops.

Abstract: An experiment was conducted to study the feasibility of intercropping Mungbean in Guara sown at 30, 45, 60 and 75 cm spaced single, double, triple and four row strips, respectively. Guara sown at 45 cm spaced double-row strips with two rows of Mungbean produced significantly more number of branches, grain and stalk yield haG while number of branches and stalk yield of mungbean were not effected significantly. However, the grain yield of Mungbean was increased significantly in the intercropping system. Among the different planting patterns, guara planted in 45 cm spaced double-row strips in association with two rows of mungbean gave the highest land equivalent ratio (LER) of 1.55.

Abstract: Studies were conducted in the laboratory to investigate the different components of the resistance of Vigna vexillata A. Richards, TVnu 72, and several cultivars of cultivated Vigna spp. to infestation and damage by the brown cowpea coreid, Clavigralla tomentosicollis Stal. The main objective was to determine the different roles of the pod wall and seeds, and the relationship between seed size, number, and damage by this insect. Results showed that both the pod wall and seed clearly contribute different components to the resistance of TVnu 72 to C. tomentosicollis. Analysis of the results suggests that the seed defences and the pod wall pericarp may be more important than are trichomes in this resistance. Seed number was found to influence the extent of damage in a more predictable manner than seed size. However, because both of these traits are generally inversely related and mutually exclusive, their individual effects cannot be completely separated. The implications of these traits in a breeding programme targeted at a specific consumer group are discussed.

Abstract: A field experiment was conducted at Kanke, Ranchi under irrigated condition in 200809 and 200910 to evaluate the production potential, nutrient uptake, resource use efficiency and economics of eight rice (Oryza sa- tiva L.)-based cropping systems. Eight cropping systems viz. ricefallow, ricewheat {Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol}, ricemustard {Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj & Cosson}greengram {Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek}, ricerajmash (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)greengram, ricepotato (Solanum tuberosum L.)greengram, ricewheat + mustard (5:1)greengram, ricewheat + rajmash (5:1)greengram, and ricepotato + wheat (1:1) greengram were evaluated in the study. Among the cropping systems, ricepotato + wheat (1:1)greengram crop- ping system recorded highest system productivity (20.39 t REGY/ha), land use efficiency (95.89), production effi- ciency (55.58 kg REGY/ha/day) and employment generation (293 man days/ha) as compared to other cropping systems. Crop sequences with potato as rabi crop resulted in significantly higher N, P and K uptake, while S up- take was significantly higher in ricemustardgreengram sequence. Economic analysis revealed that the maxi- mum net profit (125 103 /ha), benefit:cost ratio (1.61) and monetary efficiency (342.7 /ha/day) were recorded in ricepotatogreengram crop sequence closely followed by ricepotato + wheat (1:1)greengram, which were significantly superior over other cropping systems. Based on study, ricepotato + wheat (1:1)greengram and ricepotatogreengram were found to be the most productive, resource-use efficient and remunerative cropping system under irrigated conditions and can be followed in place of ricewheat or ricefallow systems for higher profitability.

Abstract: A cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walpers cv. Pitiuba) cystatin was analysed to determine its localization during development and germination of cowpea seeds, using western blotting with a specific antiserum. The pattern of immunoreactive proteins changed during development, with the major reactive bands present in dried seeds being mobilized after a 62-h period of imbibition. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that cowpea cystatin is distributed in both embryonic axes and cotyledons with the highest level being present in the outer cell walls of the adaxial surface of the cotyledons.

Abstract: A field experiment was conducted at Selakui, Dehradun during 2001 to 2004 to study the effect of in situ grown live mulching with legumes viz. sunnhemp ( Crotalaria juncea L.), dhaincha ( Sesbania aculeata Pers.) and cowpea [ Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.], besides weed mulching at 30 and 45 days of maize ( Zea mays L.) growth on mois- ture conservation, crop productivity and soil properties in maizewheat ( Triticum aestivum L. emend Fiori & Paol.) cropping system. Legume mulching accumulated 1.091.17 t/ha dry biomass and added 27.931.3 kg N/ha com- pared with 1.31 t/ha biomass and 10.3 kg N/ha with weed mulching at 30 days; which increased further by 68.5 74.8% when applied at 45 days. Maize productivity was 5.68.8% higher with legume mulching at 30 days when compared with no mulching. Soil moisture content (015 and 1530 cm depth) at maize harvest increased by a magnitude of 1.632.91% due to live mulching, and the effect of sunnhemp was relatively more pronounced than other materials. Wheat yields increased by 13.314.0% due to legume mulching in previous maize following en- hanced soil moisture and nutrient conservation. Mulching with weed biomass was inferior to legume mulching in both the crops. Mulching at 45 days adversely affected maize growth and yield but was more beneficial to the fol- lowing wheat due to addition of greater biomass and N. The yield performance of wheat was lower when mulching with cowpea stover was done at maize harvest or wheat sowing, as well as under minimum tillage compared with conventional tillage conditions. Wheat gave 2.53.0 folds more net returns than maize, and the net B : C ratio of the system was >1.0 with live mulching of sunnhemp and dhaincha. There was an improvement in organic C and total N, and a decrease in bulk density with a corresponding increase in infiltration rate due to mulching at the end of 3 cropping cycles. It was concluded that live mulching with legumes in maize was beneficial for improving soil moisture conservation, productivity, profitability and soil health in rainfed maizewheat cropping system under Doon valley conditions.

Abstract: Cysteine proteinase inhibitors (CPI) were purified to 59 and 54 fold from black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) and rice bean (Vigna umbellata Thunb.), respectively, by using heat treatment, followed by chromatography on a carboxymethyl (CM)-papain-Sepharose affinity column. The purified inhibitors were highly inhibitory to papain and Pacific whiting cathepsin L in a concentration dependent manner. They were detected as a dark band on tricine-SDS-PAGE gel stained for inhibitory activity. The apparent molecular weights of purified CPI from black gram and rice bean seeds were estimated to be 12,000 daltons. The purified inhibitors were thermostable up to 90C and active in the neutral and alkaline pH ranges. Les inhibiteurs de la cysteine-proteinase ont ete purifies du haricot mungo (Vigna mungo) et du haricot riz (Vigna umbellata) par traitement thermique et chromatographie d'affinite sur colonne de sepharose greffee avec la carboxymethyl-papaine. Ils sont thermostables a 90°, et actifs a pH neutre et alcalin. Leur PM est de 12000 daltons.

Abstract: The expression of a papain-type proteinase, designated SH-EP, in cotyledons of Vigna mungo seedlings has been shown to require some factors in the embryonic axes. Gibberellin A1 (GA(1)) and GA(20) were identified by GC-MS in embryonic axes of V. mungo seedlings. The level of accumulation of SH-EP in cotyledons of V. mungo seedlings was greatly reduced by treatment of the seeds with uniconazole-P, an inhibitor for GA biosynthesis. The reduced level of accumulation of SH-EP in cotyledons by uniconazole-P was recovered by exogenous application of GA(1) and GA(20) to the seedlings.

Abstract: In this study, a possible weed management has been envisaged in zero-till (ZT) and conventional till (CT) wheat [Triticum aestivum (L.) emend. Fiori & Paol.] with and without residue during 201314 and 201415 using residue, N and weed-control treatments. It was observed that ZT with 5 t/ha maize (Zea mays L.) residue retention (ZT + R) + 75% N + rest N-based on GreenSeeker (GS) caused a considerable reduction in the population of nar- row-leaf, broad-leaf and total weeds compared to CT and ZT without residue. Pendimethalin (PMT) followed by sulfosulfuron (SSF) application significantly reduced the weeds population and dry weight than the unweeded con- trol (UWC). Wheat yield attributes were higher in ZT with residue retention (ZT + R) than conventional-tilled treat- ments. Application of PMT @ 1 kg/ha followed by SSF 25 g/ha combined with ZT with 5 t/ha maize residue reten- tion (ZT + R) + 75% N + rest N based on GreenSeeker (GS) resulting in higher wheat yield which was comparable with that in weed-free check (WFC). Zero tillage with or without residue reduced the nutrient uptake by weeds than the conventional tillage which led to the higher uptake of nutrients by crop in zero tillage condition over the years. The sum total amount of N, P and K removed by the crop was higher in ZT + R + 75% N + rest N based on GreenSeeker (GS) than CT-R + 100% N (farmer practice) to the tune of 23.8% and 34.6% in 201314 and 2014 15, respectively. The sequential application PMT and SSF had an edge over the ready-mix application of SSF+ metsulfuron methyl (MSM) in respect of nutrients uptake by crop which was due to the reduction in nutrients up- take by weeds by the former than the later. The treatment combination ZT + R + 75% N + rest N based on GreenSeeker (GS) and sequential application of PMT-SSF secured highest output energy than the CTR + 100% N with UWC and ready-mix application of SSF + MSM. The interaction between tillage, residue and N manage- ment with weed control practices for net benefit: cost ratio revealed that irrespective of residue the zero tillage fetched the higher net benefit: cost than conventional tillage. The partial cost-benefit of sequential as well as ready-mix application of herbicide was on a par under both the tillage condition. Therefore, ZT + R + 75% N + rest N based on GreenSeeker (GS) and sequential application of PMT-SSF can be recommended for wheat produc- tion in north-western Indo-Gangetic plains of India.