Articles tagged with Legumes
The white lupin genome has been fully sequenced, revealing its potential for high-protein seeds and efficient phosphate solubilization. The discovery could help increase lupin's role in future plant-based protein production and address phosphate depletion.
Overweight adults who followed the Mediterranean, Intermittent Fasting and Paleo diets experienced modest weight loss (2-4kg) and clinically significant improvements in blood pressure. The Mediterranean diet also improved blood sugar levels, while the fasting diet led to slightly more weight loss.
Researchers discovered that legumes acquire the ability to form root nodules by recruiting a lateral root developmental pathway. The ASL18a gene plays a key role in this process, allowing for cooperative action with genes NF-Y and NIN to induce cell division and nodule formation.
A recent review of prospective cohort studies found that consuming legumes reduces incidence rates for cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and hypertension by up to 10%. Legumes benefit cardiovascular health due to their high fiber, plant protein, and micronutrient content.
Research reveals that nodulation increases salicylic acid production in pea and Medicago truncatula plants, making them more resistant to powdery mildew. This discovery has significant implications for plant defense and nutrition.
Researchers at Aarhus University have discovered a key player in legume-rhizobial symbiosis, enabling the transfer of biological nitrogen fixation to non-legume crops. This breakthrough could help smallholder farmers increase crop yields without relying on fertilizers.
This systematic review and meta-analysis found a significant association between adherence to plant-based eating habits and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. Higher consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts was linked to lower diabetes risk in adults.
Researchers analyzed proteins in ancient ceramics to determine the diet of early farmers at Çatalhöyük. The study found evidence of cereals, legumes, dairy products, and meat, including specific species such as barley, wheat, peas, vetches, sheep, goats, cattle, and deer.
Researchers found that using legume cover crops reduces the need for nitrogen fertilizer by up to 35% compared to cereal cover crops or no cover crop at all. This simple technique can help farmers maximize sweet potato yields while reducing costs and environmental impact.
An international research team has identified a new LysM receptor kinase called NRFe involved in the symbiosis between legumes and nitrogen-fixing rhizobia. The study found that NRFe plays a crucial role in robust symbiotic signalling in Lotus japonicus.
Researchers warn that projected climate change may decrease vegetable and legume yields, threatening food security and population health. The study estimates potential yield reductions of 35% for tomatoes and 31% in hot settings like Southern Europe.
A diet rich in fish and legumes is associated with a delay of over 3 years in natural menopause, while a high intake of refined carbs like pasta and rice speeds up the process. The study also found that vegetarians and those who eat more fruits and poultry may experience later menopause.
A study has identified a key genetic pathway in the legume Lotus japonicus that regulates nodulation in response to nitrogen levels in the soil. The researchers found a gene called NRSYM1 that, when mutated, causes the legume to continue forming new nodules even when nitrate is present in the soil.
People with MS who followed a healthy diet were 20% less likely to have severe physical disability and depression. A healthy lifestyle was also associated with reduced risk of fatigue, pain, and depression.
Researchers made significant strides in transferring disease- and stress-resistance traits from wild relatives of several legumes to their domesticated varieties. This research improves the resilience of domestic legume varieties and sustains agriculture in semi-arid regions.
A diet with moderate intake of fat and fruits/vegetables, avoiding high carbohydrates, is associated with lower risk of death. The lowest risk was seen in those consuming three to four servings of fruits, vegetables, and legumes daily.
A large-scale study of 135,335 individuals across 18 countries found that a moderate intake of fruit, vegetables, and legumes can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and death. The study's findings indicate that consuming an average of 3-4 servings per day is as beneficial as higher amounts in reducing total mortality.
A new study published in The Lancet found that eating 3-4 servings of fruit, vegetables, and legumes per day (375-500g) achieves similar benefits against mortality risk as higher portions. This target is more affordable for people in low- and middle-income countries, providing a potential solution to food security issues.
The USDA has awarded $7.2 million in grants for research on plant-biotic interactions, aiming to improve crop yields and reduce the need for fertilizers. The funding will support fundamental and applied research to better understand the complex relationships between plants, microbes, and invertebrates.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered a new way that legumes, including peanuts, produce an essential amino acid called tyrosine. The team found that a single mutation in a plant enzyme is responsible for this unique pathway, which could lead to increased production of morphine and other valuable chemicals.
A special issue of Annals highlights the potential of pulses to address global nutrition issues and environmental concerns through increased consumption. The report emphasizes the need for multi-sectoral partnerships, research, and public interventions to promote pulse consumption and yield improvements.
The PREDIMED study reveals a protective association between legume consumption, especially lentils, and the risk of developing subsequent type 2 diabetes. Legumes rich in B vitamins and fibre help improve human health and lower blood glucose levels slowly after consumption.
A new review examines the potential health benefits of resistant starch, a form of starch not digested in the small intestine. It has been linked to improved blood sugar control and enhanced gut health through increased production of short-chain fatty acids.
Researchers uncover regional diversity in plant species exploited during Pre-Pottery Neolithic A, challenging previous assumptions about the importance of cereals. The study suggests that legumes played a crucial role in eastern Fertile Crescent regions and contributed to chronological dissimilarities in cereal domestication.
Researchers found that intact nitrogen-fixing symbiosis is necessary for taxonomically diverse and distinctive bacterial communities in legumes. This symbiotic relationship allows legumes to thrive in limited nitrogen environments and may also benefit non-legume plants.
Researchers developed a single calibration that can be used with multiple NIRS instruments to accurately measure the percentage of alfalfa and grass in forage mixtures.
A massive atlas of plant and bacterial proteins has been published, providing unprecedented detail on the molecular controls of nitrogen fixation symbiosis. The study, led by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers, reveals the interplay of proteins in rhizobia colonization of root nodules in the model legume Medicago truncatula.
Washington State University biologist Mechthild Tegeder has made a groundbreaking discovery in increasing soybean yield by up to 36% through the use of specialized bacteria. The breakthrough could help address global food security challenges while reducing environmental pollution.
Researchers have found that snotty gobble can kill gorse, blackberry, and Scotch broom without damaging native shrubs. The study suggests snotty gobble could be an effective native biocontrol agent for major invasive shrubs in Australia.
The newly discovered Evemphyron sinense genus and species is a primitive weevil with peculiar features. It infests legume seedpods in China, unlike other closely related beetles that roll leaves to create nests.
A new study published in Frontiers in Plant Science found that introducing legumes into agricultural systems can reduce nitrous oxide emissions by 20-30% and fertilizer use by 25-40%. The study also shows increased gross margins in forage agriculture systems, demonstrating the potential for both environmental and economic benefits.
The Crop Science Society of America (CSSA) sent ten students to the PanAfrican Legume Conference in Zambia to learn about pulses and grain legumes. The conference, which drew over 500 participants from 46 countries, focused on sustainable systems for food, income, and nutritional security.
Researchers discover that tree legumes can significantly contribute nitrogen to silvopastoral systems, benefiting both livestock and the environment. The study found two types of legume trees with different decomposition rates and nutrient cycles, but both show promise as alternatives to industrial fertilizers.
The University of California, Riverside, has received a nearly $1.6 million grant from the National Science Foundation to sequence the genome of the cowpea, a legume crop crucial for global food security. The research aims to develop high-yielding and disease-resistant cowpea varieties using genetically informed breeding strategies.
Researchers aim to unlock the secret of nitrogen fixation in legumes, which could revolutionize agriculture by reducing fertilizer usage and saving billions of dollars. The project will use advanced DNA sequencing and computational analysis to understand the signaling between plants and bacteria in the root nodules.
African smallholder farmers purchase over half of their seeds annually through local markets and informal sources. Local legume markets are particularly important, accounting for 64% of seed transactions. The study highlights the need to expand high-quality seed delivery to smallholder farmers through formal and informal channels.
A study published by the Institute of Food Technologists found that a bean-based meal provided a similar feeling of fullness compared to a beef-based meal. The researchers discovered that plant-based proteins with high fiber content may offer similar appetite regulation as animal protein.
A research team at the John Innes Centre has identified and studied peas with mutations in genes coding for seed protease inhibitors, which can reduce protein availability by up to 10%. The study provides proof of principle for genetic approaches to improve crop traits, including the removal of allergenic proteins.
A global study synthesizes data from 1980 to 2014 to better understand how drought affects different legume species and soil conditions. The results show that the magnitude of yield loss varies with legume species and phenological state during drought, while soil texture also plays a role.
Two new plant species, Psoralea diturnerae and P. vanberkelae, have been discovered by citizen scientists in the Cape Floral Kingdom of South Africa. The discovery was made possible through the efforts of a group of amateur botanists known as the Outramps, who have been conducting regular expeditions to monitor and conserve rare species.
The study identified nearly 3,000 genetic markers that will help researchers investigate the genetic variation within and between different species. The new data will enable scientists to uncover why certain legume crops succeed where others fail.
Researchers found that nitrogen-fixing bacteria evolved to become less beneficial to legumes when exposed to long-term nitrogen fertilizer. This shift could have far-reaching ecological and environmental consequences in natural areas adjacent to farmland or areas with nutrient pollution. The study suggests that changes in the quality o...
Scientists develop shorter-growing-season lentil varieties to accommodate between two rice growing seasons. The approach has already proven its potential in Bangladesh, increasing annual income by $26.6 million and improving small-scale farmers' livelihoods.
A recent study reveals that grain legume crops are a valuable source of essential micronutrients, including iron, zinc, selenium, magnesium, manganese, copper, and nickel. The research found that these crops can provide up to 100% of the recommended daily allowance for certain micronutrients per serving.
A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal found that eating just 1 serving of legumes daily can significantly reduce LDL cholesterol by 5%. This reduction may lead to a 5% lower risk of major vascular events. The authors suggest that increasing pulse intake is a reasonable and beneficial dietary change.
A Princeton University study found that tropical forests' ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is crucially linked to tree diversity and the presence of legume trees. Legumes, a diverse group of nitrogen-fixing plants, play a vital role in rapid forest growth and carbon storage.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory and Technical University of Madrid create model for iron transportation in legumes to enhance nitrogen fixation. This breakthrough aims to lessen reliance on nitrogen fertilizers and promote sustainable agriculture practices.
The Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Collaborative Research on Grain Legumes aims to increase bean productivity and enhance nutritional quality in Sub-Saharan Africa, Central America, and the US. MSU researchers will support collaborative research, graduate student training, and address gender equity and climate change.
Researchers found that floral morphologies are less reliable than other traits in determining the relationships of papilionoid species and genera. Other morphological characteristics may indicate relationships more reliably, according to the study published in the American Journal of Botany.
A research project in Malawi has led to significant increases in crop yields, with corn production rising by 200% through crop rotation. Meanwhile, children's weight and height have improved, meeting international norms for healthy children. The program's success is attributed to the adoption of bushy legumes and diverse crop rotations.
Researchers found that mixing different cover crops can increase dry matter biomass by up to 25% while reducing weed suppression needs. This long-term study supports the use of legume-rye mixes for optimal results in commercial organic production systems.
A randomized controlled trial found that a low-glycemic index diet rich in legumes improved glycemic control and reduced coronary heart disease risk in patients with type 2 diabetes. Legume consumption was associated with a 0.5% reduction in hemoglobin A1c values and an 8% decrease in estimated CHD risk.
A team led by Janine Sherrier is using Medicago truncatula to study symbiotic relationships between legumes and rhizobia, with potential benefits for crop production and reducing energy-intensive fertilizer production. This research could help lower production costs and environmental impact.
Beans, pulses and legumes are a good source of protein, fiber and nutrients like potassium and folate. Most Americans do not consume enough of them in their diets, with refried beans being the most common form reported.
Legume plants allow nitrogen-fixing bacteria to breach their cell walls, enabling the bacteria to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form. The discovery sheds light on how plants promote nitrogen fixation, a crucial process for agriculture and food production.
A new mouse model has been developed to study allergy to fenugreek, a common ingredient in Asian dishes. The model can also be used to understand suspected cross-reactivity with peanuts and other legumes, which may pose a special problem for food-allergic people.
The Murcian flower has been studied in detail for the first time in nearly a century. Researchers have found that it is critically endangered due to low reproductive success and high mortality rates during the seedling stage. A restoration plan is underway to preserve this unique species.
The Legume Integrated Pest Management Pest Information Platform for Extension and Education (ipmPIPE) provides a new option for generating, summarizing, and disseminating real-time pest data. It identifies priority pathogens and insect pests for monitoring and offers management and education tools.
A recent study published in Nutrition and Cancer found that high consumption of these foods was associated with a reduced risk of colon polyps by 33-40%, confirming the results of past studies. The protective effects may be due to their cancer-fighting agents, including fiber and detoxifying compounds.
A new species of pearl-flowered legume, Psoralea margaretiflora, has been discovered in the Sneeuberg Centre of Floristic Endemism in South Africa. This discovery highlights the importance of exploring the poorly explored Great Escarpment in southern Africa.