Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is a legume of great nutritional and economic importance, native to Africa and widely cultivated in Brazil, especially in the North and Northeast regions. Due to the species’ wide genetic variability and high adaptability, there is growing interest in obtaining morphological and agronomic information, which is essential for supporting genetic improvement programs. However, studies on these traits in traditional cowpea varieties under the edaphoclimatic conditions of Manaus, Amazonas, remain scarce. In this regard, the objective of this study was to characterize and evaluate traditional cowpea varieties in a dryland area in Manaus, Amazonas. The samples consisted of seeds from the cowpea collection maintained by the Active Germplasm Bank of the National Institute for Amazonian Research (INPA). The experiments employed a randomized block design with a factorial layout of 16 treatments (traditional varieties) × 2 (growing seasons), with four replications, in which 31 qualitative and quantitative descriptors were evaluated. For the morphological descriptors, the mean values obtained from the two growing seasons were used. The qualitative data were described and, when necessary, subjected to descriptive statistical analysis. The quantitative data were subjected to analysis of variance and the Scott-Knott test at a 5% significance level. To study genetic diversity, the Mahalanobis dissimilarity matrix and the simple coincidence measure were used. The treatments were clustered using the Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean (UPGMA) and Tocher’s hierarchical agglomerative method. The relative importance of the descriptors for genetic divergence was determined using Singh’s method. In the evaluation of productive performance, a factorial design was adopted comprising the 16 varieties and two growing seasons (rainy season and dry season), followed by analysis of variance and the Scott-Knott test at a 5% significance level. Pearson’s correlation was also performed among the yield components (t-test, 5%). The results revealed genetic variability among the 16 traditional varieties evaluated. The clustering methods used identified 3 and 4 groups. The variables that contributed most to the dissimilarity among the evaluated varieties were the number of main branches, seed width, pod length, and apical leaflet width. There were significant differences among the cowpea varieties, across growing seasons, and for the cultivar × growing season interaction for all response variables analyzed. During the rainy season, the grain yield of the CFG variety stood out, at 1,467.03 kg ha−1. In the rainy season, yield correlated positively with the number of pods per plant, the number of seeds per pod, and the seed mass per plant, whereas in the dry season, negative correlations predominated, especially for the number of seeds per pod and the average pod weight.
The yardlong bean (Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis (L.) Verdc.) belongs to the Fabaceae family. In Amazonas, the use of local yardlong bean varieties by smallholder farmers has ensured the conservation of genetic diversity. The selection of genetic materials is essential for breeding programs, as it contains various pieces of information that can be explored through characterization and evaluation studies. However, there are still few studies on the characterization and evaluation of yardlong beans in the region. In this regard, the present study aimed to morphologically characterize and agronomically evaluate accessions of yardlong bean varieties in the drylands of the Central Amazon. The experiment was conducted at INPA’s Vegetable Research Station, using seeds from the local varieties Preto, Branco, and Marrom, obtained from INPA’s plant germplasm collection, in addition to the ‘De Metro’ cultivar as a control. The design was a randomized block design in a 4 x 2 factorial scheme, consisting of three local varieties and one commercial cultivar, evaluated over two growing seasons (February–May and August–November). A total of 20 descriptors related to plants, leaves, flowers, fruits, and yield were used. The varieties analyzed showed high stability in their qualitative traits across seasons, such as: a pronounced tendency toward curling; a climbing growth habit; very light pigmentation of the stem and branches; a lanceolate shape of the apical leaflet blade in the Branco variety, while in the Preto, Marrom, and commercial ‘De Metro’ varieties it was sub-lanceolate; green coloration of the apical leaflet blade in the Preto variety, while in the other genotypes evaluated it was dark green; very slight pigmentation on the petiole; violet coloration of the flowers; very slight pigmentation of the pod peduncle; no pigmentation on the pod; light green coloration of the pod in the Preto variety, dark green in the Branco variety and in the ‘De Metro’ cultivar, and green in the Marro variety. Thus, qualitative differentiation was established based on the characteristics of leaf blade shape, coloration of the apical leaflet, and coloration of the pods. Phenotypic plasticity was observed among the varieties, with the rainy season favoring vegetative growth and the accumulation of photosynthates, thereby increasing yield potential. The Branco and Marrom varieties stood out for having the highest average yields, maintaining high yield levels in both growing seasons; the ‘De Metro’ cultivar stood out for its shorter growth cycle; and although the Preto variety recorded the lowest production rates, it should not be ruled out, as it may possess characteristics of interest for breeding that have not yet been evaluated, requiring further in-depth studies.
The objective was to characterize the species’ biotechnological potential and its phenotypes, with an emphasis on the morphophysiology and biochemistry of fruits, seeds, and germination, as well as the antioxidant activity of the leaf essential oil.
Talinum paniculatum is an unconventional food plant with nutritional and medicinal potential, yet it remains underexplored. Seed germination in this species may be limited by environmental factors and the occurrence of dormancy, requiring techniques that promote seedling establishment. Vegetative propagation emerges as an alternative method for its multiplication, potentially overcoming the limitations associated with sexual propagation. However, the lack of information on efficient propagation methods represents a barrier to the cultivation and valorization of this species. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate sexual and vegetative propagation methods of T. paniculatum under the environmental conditions of Central Amazonia. The research was conducted at the Vegetable and Ornamental Plant Sector of the Federal University of Amazonas (UFAM), in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil, using seeds and cuttings obtained from stock plants cultivated in a nursery. Three experiments were carried out: (1) evaluation of pre-soaking periods (0, 24, and 48 hours) and different germination conditions (sand at 25 °C, blotting paper at 25 °C, and commercial substrate under natural environmental conditions); (2) evaluation of cutting types (apical, middle, and basal) collected from stock plants aged 2, 4, and 6 months; and (3) evaluation of apical and basal cuttings with lengths of 5 and 10 cm. Germination conditions significantly influenced the performance of T. paniculatum seeds, with germination occurring only in commercial substrate maintained under natural environmental conditions, whereas pre-soaking periods had no significant effect. In the second experiment, basal cuttings obtained from six-month-old stock plants exhibited the highest percentages of survival, rooting, and sprouting, as well as the greatest number of shoots and biomass accumulation. In the third experiment, basal propagules and cuttings measuring 10 cm in length provided superior seedling establishment and vigor, demonstrating their superiority for species propagation. The propagation of T. paniculatum proved feasible under the environmental conditions of Central Amazonia, highlighting the species' potential for seedling production. These results contribute to the development of more efficient propagation strategies and to the promotion of this unconventional vegetable as an alternative for diversifying productive and food systems.
Rainfed legume production in Burkina Faso is increasingly challenged by climatic variability. Diversifying grain-legume genetic resources may help address these constraints and support food security. Tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray), a legume native to the south-western United States and northern Mexico, is tolerant of water stress, heat, and diseases. This crop may therefore provide an alternative for maintaining grain-legume production under erratic rainfall. This study evaluated the morphometric and agronomic characteristics of 36 tepary bean accessions introduced into Burkina Faso. The experiment was conducted over two consecutive years (2022 and 2023) at the Kamboinse research station using an alpha-lattice design with three replications. Fourteen quantitative traits were recorded using descriptors established by the International Board for Plant Genetic Resources. The results revealed morphometric and agronomic variability within the collection. Significant differences were observed among accessions and years, as well as for the accession × year interaction for selected traits. A strong positive correlation was observed between seed length and seed width. Plant height was the principal discriminating morphometric trait, whereas 100-seed weight and seed yield were the principal discriminating agronomic traits. Cluster analysis structured the accessions into three groups: Group II contained 16 accessions, Group I contained 12, and Group III contained eight. Accessions G40279 and G40173C from Group II showed high grain-yield potential and may be useful in breeding programmes targeting variable climatic conditions in Burkina Faso.
A. Congo, B. J. Batieno, P. Sawadogo et al.· Journal of Advances in Biolo...· 0 citations
Convolvulaceae is a family of flowering plants comprising approximately 2,000 species distributed across 60 genera, including agronomically important crops such as sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.). In Brazil, 406 native species have been recorded, with highest diversity in the Cerrado and Caatinga, and a significant representation in the Amazon (122 species in 18 genera). Despite its diversity and importance, cytogenetic knowledge of the family remains limited, with available data largely restricted to the genera Ipomoea and Cuscuta, and concentrated in the Northeast and Southeast regions of the country. Moreover, most studies rely on classical techniques, limiting information to chromosome number and morphology. In this context, this study aimed to cytogenetically characterize Amazonian populations of Convolvulaceae using fluorochrome banding. To obtain meristematic tissue, root tips were pretreated with 2 mM 8-hydroxyquinoline for 24 hours at 10 °C. Slides were prepared after fixation and enzymatic digestion, sequentially stained with CMA and DAPI, and analyzed and photographed after at least three days. Novel chromosome counts were recorded for the species Distimake cissoides and Ipomoea maurandioides with 2n = 30, and Jacquemontia guyanensis with 2n = 20. Chromosome numbers were confirmed for D. dissectus, I. mauritiana, I. triloba and I. asarifolia (2n = 30). One species, Evolvulus nummularius, was found to be a dysploid with 2n = 26, contradicting the previous record of 2n = 24. Heterochromatin bands were also similar to those observed in other populations, with an abundance of terminal and proximal CMA+ regions and few DAPI+ bands. Population-level differences in heterochromatin were observed in D. dissectus, suggesting genetic divergence across the distribution of this species. I. asarifolia also showed variation in chromosome size and band number between an Amazonian and a Caatinga population, suggesting the existence of cryptic species within this taxon. It was concluded that chromosome numbers are stable in the genera Distimake and Ipomoea, even in Amazonian populations, and that heterochromatin patterns are more effective for investigating interespecific-level cytogenetic variability in Convolvulaceae, particularly in Ipomoea and Distimake.
Plant diseases represent a significant challenge for agricultural production, directly affecting plant productivity and quality. Local species of Amaranthus blitum and viridis possess high commercial potential, driven by growing demand and initiatives to combat rural poverty. However, limited diagnostic capacity and the absence of effective control methods have hindered the phytosanitary management of these crops. Between April and June 2024, field trials were conducted at the Agrijovem Cooperative in Quicombo, funded by PDCT-MESCTI, with the aim of identifying the main diseases with economic impact on the production of these species. The plants were visually inspected with a magnifying glass, photographed, and samples of the affected parts collected. Microscopic analyses at the ISPCS Biology Laboratory, combined with morphological identification keys and the Agrio Software, allowed for the identification of white rust as the most prevalent disease. This foliar disease was favored by specific climatic conditions relative humidity of 80% and an average temperature of 25 °C reaching an incidence rate exceeding 50%. The leaf spots caused by the fungus impair the appearance of the vegetables, making their commercialization unfeasible. Identifying white rust makes it possible to adopt effective control strategies, aiming to protect production and ensure the quality required by the market.
O. Pelinganga, E. José, Fernando Francisco de Sousa et al.· Revista Angolana de Ciências· 0 citations
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