Abstract: Application of NaCl (electrical conductivity 4.0 mS cm−1) resulted in about 52, 50 and 55 % reduction in total nitrogen contents in mung bean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] leaf, root and nodule, respectively. In nodule, nitrogenase activity was reduced by about 84 % under stress as compared with the control set. Glutamine synthetase activity was reduced by about 31, 16 and 23 %, glutamate oxoglutarate aminotransferase activity was reduced by 78, 57 and 42 % and glutamate dehydrogenase activity was reduced by 9, 8 and 42 % in leaf, root and nodule, respectively, under salt stress. The pretreatment with indole-3-acetic acid, gibberellic acid and kinetin, each ranging from 0.1 to 10 µM, in restoring the metabolic alterations imposed by NaCl salinity was investigated in mung bean. The three phytohormones used were able to overcome to variable extents the adverse effects of stress imposed by NaCl solution.

Abstract: Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. presents phenotypical variabilities and in order to study the genetic diversity of cultivated Senegalese varieties, two experimental approaches were used. First, a physiological characterization based on nitrogen fixation was used to assess cowpea breeding lines. Inoculation with two Bradyrhizobium strains (NGR234 and ISRA312), showed a difference in nitrogen fixation potential between the cowpea varieties. Diongoma is the highest nitrogen fixing variety, whereas Mouride is the lowest. The second approach employed genetic characterization based on DNA polymorphism to screen. Results suggest that random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technology can be used to reorganize the national germplasm in order to eliminate the putative duplicates, and to identify elite varieties.

Abstract: A selected set of accessions of components of the azuki bean (Vigna angularis) complex comprising 123 cultivated accessions and 23 wild or weedy accessions from Bhutan, China (including Taiwan), India, Japan, Korea, and Nepal was analyzed using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) methodology Using 12 AFLP primer pairs, 580 unambiguous bands were generated, 313 (539%) of which were polymorphic among azuki bean accessions All 580 bands were used to assess phenotypic (band) and genetic (nucleotide) diversity among the 146 azuki bean accessions The results indicate five major groups of azuki bean germplasm primarily associated with geographic origin of accessions and their status: wild, weedy, or cultivated These five groups are (i) Himalayan wild, (ii) Nepal-Bhutan cultivated, (iii) Chinese wild, (iv) Taiwan wild - Bhutan cultivated, and (v) northeast Asian accessions Within the northeast Asian accessions, three subgroups are present These consist of (v1) Japanese complex - Korean cultivated, (v2) Japanese cultivated, and (v3) Chinese cultivated accessions The results suggest domestication of azuki bean occurred at least twice, once in the Himalayan region of southern Asia and once in northeast Asia The remarkable diversity of azuki bean germplasm in the Himalayan region compared with other regions suggests this is a rich source of germplasm for plant breeding The results suggest there are important gaps in the germplasm collections of azuki bean and its close relatives from various parts of Asia and that specific collecting missions for Vigna germplasm related to azuki bean in the highlands of subtropical Asia are needed

Abstract: . Variation between strains of Callosobruchus maculatus in several life-history traits is well known. Differences in functional anatomy of egg pores and larval respiration rates have also been reported in strains from Brazil and Yemen. The response of five strains of C. maculatus to seeds of two host species, cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and mung bean (Vigna radiata), was measured along with the larval respiration rates of the same strains on both hosts. There was significant variability of response to the two hosts. Strains with higher larval respiration rate (µL O2/insect/day) showed higher seed consumption, which significantly affected adult emergence per seed on both hosts. This finding provides support for the hypothesis that differential feeding rate is an important mechanistic component of the larval competition outcome observed in strains of C. maculatus.

Abstract: Native biofilms present on the adaxial surface of cotyledons of mung bean sprouts (Vigna radiata) were studied by use of scanning electron microscopy. Biofilms were abundant on the cotyledon surfaces and were comprised of rod-shaped bacteria, cocci-shaped bacteria, or yeasts, often with one type of microbe predominant. In contrast to our earlier study of biofilms on green sprouts (alfalfa, clover, broccoli, and sunflower), yeast and cocci were abundant on mung bean. Filamentous fungi were not observed. Sheet-like or fibrillar material (presumably composed of secreted microbial polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids) fully or partially covered the biofilms. Biofilms up to 5 mm in length were observed, and some biofilms were comprised of more than just a monolayer of microbial cells. Native biofilms on sprout surfaces undoubtedly play an important role in the ecology of plant epiphytic microbes and may also afford protected sites for plant and human bacterial pathogens.Key words: mung bean spr...

Abstract: Since the discovery of bovine insulin in plants, much effort has been devoted to the characterization of these proteins and elucidation of their functions. We report here the isolation of a protein with similar molecular mass and same amino acid sequence to bovine insulin from developing fruits of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) genotype Epace 10. Insulin was measured by ELISA using an anti-human insulin antibody and was detected both in empty pods and seed coats but not in the embryo. The highest concentrations (about 0.5 ng/µg of protein) of the protein were detected in seed coats at 16 and 18 days after pollination, and the values were 1.6 to 4.0 times higher than those found for isolated pods tested on any day. N-terminal amino acid sequencing of insulin was performed on the protein purified by C4-HPLC. The significance of the presence of insulin in these plant tissues is not fully understood but we speculate that it may be involved in the transport of carbohydrate to the fruit.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the uptake and distribution of ions in three grain legume species for potential use in arid zones. Tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.), and wild bean “frijolillo” (Phaseolus filiformis Bent) were grown during a period of 14 d in a nutrient solution salinized with 80 mmol L−1 NaCl. Plant height, leaf number, and leaf area of the saline treated plants were all low because of salinity. The dry weight (DW) of the roots, stems, and leaves of cowpea and “frijolillo” was significantly lower when the plants were subjected to the saline treatment, while the DW of the stems and leaves of the tepary bean plants treated with NaCl was close to that of the control plants (0 mmol L−1 NaCl). Root DW was significantly higher under salinity conditions only in tepary bean. The net uptake rate (NUR) and net transport rate (NTR) of Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+ in cowpea and “frijolillo” shoots were lower in the saline treated plants than in t...

Abstract: The root-knot nematode species Meloidogyne mayaguensis was reported for the first time in Brazil, occurring on guava (Psidium guajava) plants in the States of Pernambuco and Bahia. This organism was reported as the causalagent of severe crop losses in the municipalities of Petrolina, PE, and Curaca and Manitoba, BA, all located in the semi-arid zone of the northeastern region of Brazil. The objective of this investigation was to study reactions of resistance and susceptibility of six commercial crops and two species of Crotalaria in relation to M. mayaguensis parasitism. The evaluated genotypes were common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) IPA-9, cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) IPA-206, corn (Zea mays) Sao Jose BR-5026, peanut (Arachis hypogaea) BR-1, tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) Santa Cruz and Viradoro, the latter having the Mi gene for root-knot resistance, C. spectabilis and C. juncea, both antagonists to root-knot nematodes. The results pointed out that common bean, cowpea, the tomato and C. juncea were susceptible and peanut, corn and C. spectabilis were immune, because no nematode reproduction was observed. Post-infectional development data showed a high number of adult females with no eggs on peanut roots, indicating that this crop may promote biotype selections and should not be recommended for crop rotation. This fact was not observed in the other immune plants.

Abstract: Two alpha-amylase isoforms designated VAAmy1 and VAAmy2 were purified from cotyledons of germinating seedlings of azuki bean (Vigna angularis). VAAmy1 apparently had lower affinity towards a beta-cyclodextrin Sepharose column than VAAmy2. Molecular weights of VAAmy1 and VAAmy2 were estimated to be 47,000 and 44,000, respectively. However, no considerable difference was found between them in effects of pH, temperature, CaCl2, and EDTA, as well as the kinetic parameters for amylose (average degree of polymerization 17): kcat, 71.8 and 55.5 s(-1), Km, 0.113 and 0.097 mg/ml; for blocked 4-nitrophenyl alpha-D-maltoheptaoside: kcat, 62.4 and 85.3 s(-1), Km, 0.22 and 0.37 mM, respectively. Primary structures of the two enzymes were analyzed by N-terminal sequencing, cDNA cloning, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, implying that the two enzymes have the same peptide. The results indicated that the low affinity of VAAmy1 towards beta-cyclodextrin Sepharose was due to some modification on/near carbohydrate binding site in the limited sequence regions, resulting in higher molecular weight.

Abstract: Intercropping with legumes and non‐legumes is commonly practiced in many parts of the world to maximize productivity per unit area of land. In India, cowpea [Vigna unguiculate (L.) Walp] is a popular pulse legume component of intercropping farming systems. Often, however, potential production is compromised, particularly in high fertilizer input systems, because legume component competes with the non‐legume component of the system for nitrogen (N) in the soil. An experiment was conducted in order to identify lines of cowpea that could obtain the majority of their nitrogen requirements from symbiotic fixation of atmospheric nitrogen rather than from uptake of soil nitrogen. Twenty‐nine genotypes of cowpea were screened for tolerance to (applied) nitrogen in soil in field condition. The parameters used to appraise tolerance were extent of root nodulation, the amount of nitrogen fixed, nitrate reductase activity (NR) in roots and nodules, and nitrite content of roots and nodules. There were two nitr...

Abstract: A field experiment was conducted to study the mode of action of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) on plant-parasitic nematode suppression, and to differentiate the nematode suppressive effect from the green manure effect performed by cowpea. The experiment was a 3×3 split-plot design in which the main plots were summer planting of Meloidogyne incognita resistant ('Iron Clay') and susceptible ('White Acre') cowpea, and fallow. The three subplots received biomass of 'White Acre' cowpea or 'Iron Clay' cowpea or no biomass. Planting of cowpea (regardless of cultivar) resulted in phytotoxicity to 'Purple Top' turnip (Brassica rapa) when planted immediately after the cowpea cover crop. Planting of 'Iron Clay' cowpea suppressed M. incognita population densities due to poor host effect rather than from any allelopathic effect from crop residue amendments. However, this nematode suppression was only significant in crops that were very susceptible to M. incognita such as bush bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and lima bean (P. lunatus). Green manure (crop fertility) effect from growing cowpea was negligible on leguminous cash crops. However, the yield of turnip, a non-leguminous crop, was higher when plots were previously 'Iron Clay' cowpea followed by the cover crop amendment as compared to plots that were fallow without cowpea amendment.

Abstract: Bean plants Phaseolus vulgaris L. (cv. Carioca and Negro Huasteco) and Vigna unguiculata L. Walp (cv. Epace-10) were grown in a growth chamber with a photosynthetic photon flux density of 200 μmol m−2 s−1 at leaf level and air temperature of 25+1 °C. Fully expanded, first pair leaves of 12-d-old plants were submitted for 90 min to high temperature (25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 48 °C). Chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters (ETR, qP, qN, and F0) were investigated using a modulated fluorimeter at 25 °C during recovery considered here as 48 h after stress induction period. An accentuated decrease in qP and an increase in qN at 48 °C in Carioca and Negro Huasteco was not observed in Epace-10. In response to excitation irradiance a great potential for ETR was found in Negro Huasteco at 25 °C, also demonstrated by net photosynthetic rate. At 48 °C ETR was high for Epace-10 while it was equal to zero for Carioca and Negro Huasteco. Tolerance to high temperature observed in Epace-10 provided important information about the adaptative characteristics of Vigna cultivars to warm climates.

Abstract: Fourteen plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) isolated from rhizotic zones of field-grown green gram [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] plants were examined for their growth-promoting attributes and ability to affect the growth in vitro of 10 strains of Bradyrhizobium sp. (Vigna). None of the rhizosphere bacteria was found to repress or stimulate the growth of any of the Bradyrhizobium strains tested. However, they produced antibiotics and siderophores and plant growth promoting substances. Ex planta and plant nitrogen fixation and phosphate solubilization was not detected by any of the isolates. Under in-vitro conditions, nine isolates inhibited growth of soil-borne fungal pathogens; one of them identified as Bacillus sp. antagonized all the fungi tested on two different media. All PGPR isolates were tested both in sterile and unsterile soil for their ability to promote nodulation, nitrogen fixation, growth, and yield of green gram in the presence of two Bradyrhizobium sp. (Vigna) strains S 24 and Cog 15. In sterile soil, all PGPR isolates had a positive effect on shoot biomass development, acetylene reduction assay (ARA), and N content when co-inoculated with Bradyrhizobium strain Cog 15, but could influence only shoot biomass development in the presence of strain S 24. In unsterile soil, PGPR isolates had a nodule-stimulatory effect on strain Cog 15 and a plant growth promoting effect on strain S 24, after 50 and 90 days of plant growth. Five isolates EG-RS-3, EG-RS-4, and NG-ER-7 (Bacillus spp), and KG-ER-1 and EG-ER-2 (Enterobacter spp) significantly increased yield of green gram in unsterile soil.

Abstract: Two full-length lipid transfer protein (LTP) cDNAs were isolated from mungbean (Vigna radiata) and designated Vrltp1 and Vrltp2. The deduced amino acid sequences contain the two highly conserved pentapeptides characteristic of plant LTPIs suggesting these Vrltps belong to the LTPI gene family. Vrltp1 mRNA was detected in developing seeds, but Vrltp2 mRNA was not. Within the vegetative tissues, the Vrltp1 and Vrltp2 mRNAs were present only in leaves and stems, but not root tips. Salt and dehydration stresses and exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) treatments resulted in increased mRNA levels of both Vrltps in leaves. We suggest that these unique Vrltps are specific to growing shoot tissues, and may play an important role in plant acclimation to water stress.

Abstract: Twenty-seven seed samples of catjang bean and yard long bean (Vigna unguiculata sspp.) collected from different provinces of North Vietnam were tested for the presence of the blackeye cowpea mosaic strain of Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV-B1CM), Cowpea aphid-borne mosaic virus, Cowpea mosaic virus, Cucumber mosaic virus and Southern cowpea mosaic virus using a growing-on test, ELISA, bioassay and electron microscopy. Among the 27 seedlots tested, eight catjang bean and five yard long bean seedlots were found to be infected with BCMV-B1CM serotype B. The identity of one of these isolates as BCMV-B1CM was further supported by nucleotide sequencing in the 3′ region of the genome. The incidence of seeds carrying transmissible virus ranged from 0.8 to 12.4%. In most cases, only symptomatic seedlings in a growing-on test were found infected with the virus. This is the first record of BCMV-B1CM in catjang bean and yard long bean grown in North Vietnam.

Abstract: A set of 146 representative adzuki (Vigna angularis var. angularis and var. nipponensis) germplasm from six Asian countries with a tradition of adzuki bean production, together with an outgroup standard rice bean (Vigna umbellata), were analysed by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) methodology using 12 informative primer pairs. A total of 313 unambiguous polymorphic bands were created. According to the dendrogram, using cluster analysis based on AFLP banding, 143 of the accessions were distinct and revealed enough genetic diversity for identification and classification of accessions within Vigna angularis. A neighbour-joining tree was generated using the newly developed Innan's nucleotide diversity estimate from the AFLP data. From analysis, seven distinct evolutionary groups, named ‘Chinese cultivated’, ‘Japanese cultivated’, ‘Japanese complex-Korean cultivated’, ‘Chinese wild’, ‘China Taiwan wild’, ‘Nepal- Bhutan cultivated’ and ‘Himalayan wild’, were detected. Nucleotide diversity with geographical distribution of each group is discussed, regarding the evolutionary relationships between wild and cultivated adzuki beans. The preliminary results indicated that cultivated adzuki beans have been domesticated from at least four progenitors with at least three geographical origins.

Abstract: Interactions between Neomegalotomus parvus (Westwood) (Coreoidea: Heteroptera: Alydidae) and host plants were investigated including population monitoring throughout the year, gregarious behavior in the field, and oviposition preference among host plants and one non-host plant in field cages. Cowpea, Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp., soybean, Glycine max (L.) Mill. cv. BR 37, pigeon pea, Cajanus cajan (L.) Mill., pigeon pea cv. Anao, and lablab, Dolichos lablab L. were monitored in the field. N. parvus was found on host plants during 11 months. The shortest period of occurrence was observed on soybean and the longest on lablab. Insects were found mostly on mature pods. Contagious distribution (negative bionomial) was detected, characterizing the aggregation. Greater number of eggs were observed on pigeon pea, followed by soybean and lablab. Eggs were not found on cowpea, on common bean Phaseolus vulgaris L., and on rice, Oryza sativa L.

Abstract: A set of representative 146 adzuki (Vigna angularis var. angularis, and var. nipponensis)germplasm from 6 Asian countries traditionally for adzuki bean production, together with an out group stand-ard rice bean (Vigna umbellata), were analyzed by AFLP methodology using 12 informative primer pairs.313 unambiguous polymorphic bands were created. According to the dendrogram by cluster analysis based onAFLP banding, 143 of the accessions were distinct and revealed enough genetic diversity for identification andclassification of accessions within Vigna angularis. A neighbor joining tree was generated using newly devel-oped Innan's nucleotide diversity estimate from the AFLP data. From analysis, 7 distinct evolutionary groups,named as "Chinese cultivated", "Japanese cultivated", "Japanese complex-Korean cultivated", "Chinesewild", "China Taiwan wild", "Nepal-Bhutan cultivated" and "Hymalayan wild", were detected. Nucleotidediversity with geographical distribution of each group is discussed, regarding the evolutionary relationships be-tween wild and cultivated adzuki beans. The preliminary results indicated that cultivated adzuki bean should bedomesticated from at least 4 progenitors in at least 3 geographical origins.