Mycorrhizal associations contribute to the sustainability of crop production systems through their roles in nutrient cycling and other benefits in the soil-plant ecosystems. A two-year study was conducted on the Alfisols of Lilongwe and Dowa districts, Central Malawi, to assess the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungal colonisation levels in pigeon pea, cowpea, and maize grown in sole c...

In the seeds of the legume plants, a class of sugar-binding proteins with high structural and sequential identity is found, generally called the legume lectins. The seeds of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) contain, besides two such lectins, a lectin-like defense protein called arcelin, in which one sugar binding loop is absent. Here we report the crystal structure of arcelin-5 (Arc5), one ...

Seed vitality and vigour are the two most common parameters related to seed quality. It is crucial have reliable methods tests for quality testing. The standard germination test can be used predict field emergence, but laboratory testing conditions often in conflict with conditions. Validated evaluation legumes conductivity test, accelerated ageing tetrazolium test. Also, other types of been so...

To screen allelochemical-resistant species of the alien invasive weed Mikania micrantha, we studied the allelopathic inhibition effects of the leaf aqueous extract (LAE) of Mikania on seed germination and seedling growth of the 26 species native or naturalized in the invaded region in South China. Seed germination was more strongly negatively affected by LAE than seedling growth. Responses of s...

The legume-rhizobia symbiosis is a classical mutualism where fixed carbon and nitrogen are exchanged between the species. Nonetheless, the plant carbon that fuels nitrogen (N(2)) fixation could be diverted to rhizobial reproduction by 'cheaters'--rhizobial strains that fix less N(2) but potentially gain the benefit of fixation by other rhizobia. Host sanctions can decrease the relative fitness ...

Are giant clams endangered? Giant clam species are extinct or in danger of extinction in many parts of their distributions, despite being listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The shells of the smaller species are often found in shell and tourist shops around the world. The large species have bee...

A large amount of energy is utilized by legume nodules for the fixation of nitrogen and assimilation of fixed nitrogen (ammonia) into organic compounds. The source of energy is provided in the form of photosynthates by the host plant. Phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) enzyme, which is responsible for carbon dioxide fixation in C4 and crassulacean acid metabolism plants, has also been foun...

Grain legumes are a valuable source of food proteins. Their exploitation is expected to grow in relation of a growing world's food needs. Moreover, it is currently taking place a reappraisal of the beneficial effects of legume seed dietary intake, which are the basis for various health claims. Proteins and peptides concur to the observed biological activities of legume seeds, but their effect(s...