Acrylamide is a well-recognized hazardous compound with known carcinogenic, genotoxic, neurotoxic, and reproductive toxic effects. This research aimed to investigate how different legume species and roasting durations influence acrylamide formation during air-fryer roasting. The study also examined the relationship between acrylamide formation and the levels of free asparagine and free sugars in different bean species. Asparagine content varies substantially across different bean species. Sucrose was the predominant sugar across all bean species, with smaller amounts of galactose and glucose. Air-fryer-roasted Wandu kong (garden pea) showed the highest acrylamide formation, followed by Ultari kong (kidney bean) and Heoktae (black soybean), in that order. Beans roasted for longer periods in an air fryer contained significantly higher levels of acrylamide. This study revealed a strong positive correlation between acrylamide formation and the level of free asparagine in the beans, highlighting the risks associated with certain legume species and air-fryer roasting durations.

Legumes perform symbiotic nitrogen fixation through rhizobial bacteroids housed in specialised root nodules. The biochemical process is energy-intensive and consumes a huge carbon source to generate sufficient reducing power. To maintain the symbiosis, malate is supplied by legume nodules to bacteroids as their major carbon and energy source in return for ammonium ions and nitrogenous compounds. To sustain the carbon supply to bacteroids, nodule cells undergo drastic reorganisation of carbon metabolism. Here, a comprehensive quantitative comparison of the mitochondrial proteomes between root nodules and uninoculated roots was performed using data-independent acquisition proteomics, revealing the modulations in nodule mitochondrial proteins and pathways in response to carbon reallocation. Corroborated our findings with that from the literature, we believe nodules preferably allocate cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvates towards malate synthesis in lieu of pyruvate synthesis, and nodule mitochondria prefer malate over pyruvate as the primary source of NADH for ATP production. Moreover, the differential regulation of respiratory chain-associated proteins suggests that nodule mitochondria could enhance the efficiencies of complexes I and IV for ATP synthesis. This study highlighted a quantitative proteomic view of the mitochondrial adaptation in soybean nodules.

Trichoderma spp. is known for its ability to enhance plant growth and suppress disease, but the mechanisms for its interaction with host plants and pathogens remain unclear. This study investigated the transcriptomics and metabolomics of peanut plants (Arachis hypogaea L.) inoculated with Trichoderma harzianum QT20045, in the absence and presence of the stem rot pathogen Sclerotium rolfsii JN3011. Under the condition without pathogen stress, the peanut seedlings inoculated with QT20045 showed improved root length and plant weight, increased indole acetic acid (IAA) production, and reduced ethylene level, with more active 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate acid (ACC) synthase (ACS) and ACC oxidase (ACO), compared with the non-inoculated control. Under the pathogen stress, the biocontrol efficacy of QT20045 against S. rolfsii was 78.51%, with a similar effect on plant growth, and IAA and ethylene metabolisms to the condition with no biotic stress. Transcriptomic analysis of peanut root revealed that Trichoderma inoculation upregulated the expression of certain genes in the IAA family but downregulated the genes in the ACO family (AhACO1 and AhACO) and ACS family (AhACS3 and AhACS1) consistently in the absence and presence of pathogens. During pathogen stress, QT20045 inoculation leads to the downregulation of the genes in the pectinesterase family to keep the host plant\'s cell wall stable, along with upregulation of the AhSUMM2 gene to activate plant defense responses. In vitro antagonistic test confirmed that QT20045 suppressed S. rolfsii growth through mechanisms of mycelial entanglement, papillary protrusions, and decomposition. Our findings highlight that Trichoderma inoculation is a promising tool for sustainable agriculture, offering multiple benefits from pathogen control to enhanced plant growth and soil health.

The search for elite cultivars with better architecture has been a demand by farmers of the chickpea and lentil crops, which aims to systematize their mechanized planting and harvesting on a large scale. Therefore, the identification of genes associated with the regulation of the branching and architecture of these plants has currently gained great importance. Herein, this work aimed to gain insight into transcriptomic changes of two contrasting chickpea and lentil cultivars in terms of branching pattern (little versus highly branched cultivars). In addition, we aimed to identify candidate genes involved in the regulation of shoot branching that could be used as future targets for molecular breeding. The axillary and apical buds of chickpea cultivars Blanco lechoso and FLIP07-318C, and lentil cultivars Castellana and Campisi, considered as little and highly branched, respectively, were harvested. A total of 1,624 and 2,512 transcripts were identified as differentially expressed among different tissues and contrasting cultivars of chickpea and lentil, respectively. Several gene categories were significantly modulated such as cell cycle, DNA transcription, energy metabolism, hormonal biosynthesis and signaling, proteolysis, and vegetative development between apical and axillary tissues and contrasting cultivars of chickpea and lentil. Based on differential expression and branching-associated biological function, ten chickpea genes and seven lentil genes were considered the main players involved in differentially regulating the plant branching between contrasting cultivars. These collective data putatively revealed the general mechanism and high-effect genes associated with the regulation of branching in chickpea and lentil, which are potential targets for manipulation through genome editing and transgenesis aiming to improve plant architecture.

Legume symbiotic nitrogen fixation (SNF) is suppressed by inorganic N in the soil. High N inhibition of nitrogenase activity is associated with the deprivation of carbon allocation and metabolism in nodules. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we identify GmCIN1 which encodes a cytosolic invertase, as a gateway for the N-tuning of sucrose utilization in nodules. GmCIN1 is enriched in mature soybean nodules and its expression is regulated by nitrogen status. The knockout of GmCIN1 using genome editing partially mimicks the inhibitory effects of N on nitrogenase activity and sugar content and the impact of high N on nodule transcriptomes. This indicates that GmCIN1 partially mediates the high N inhibition of nodule activity. Moreover, ChIP-qPCR and EMSA reveal that SNAP1/2 transcription factors directly bind to the GmCIN1 promoter. In addition, SNAP1/2 may be involved in the repression of GmCIN1 expression in mature nodules at high N concentrations. Our findings provide insights into the involvement of the transcriptional tuning of C metabolism genes by N-signaling modulators in the N-induced inhibition of nitrogenase activity.

Microorganisms form dynamic communities with plants, providing benefits such as nutrient acquisition and stress resilience. Understanding how these microorganisms are affected by environmental factors such as growth conditions and soil characteristics are essential for harnessing these communities for sustainable agriculture practices and their response to climate change. The microbiome associated to Lupinus angustifolius, a legume native in Europe, with a high protein value and stress resilience was characterized for the first time. Using 16S rRNA gene and ITS amplicon sequencing, we characterized the compositional and temporal changes of the bacterial and fungal communities associated to the soil, rhizosphere, and plant compartments where Lupinus angustifolius grows naturally. Our results suggest that the main difference in the soil microbial communities is related to the edaphic properties, although environmental factors such as temperature, humidity or rainfall also influenced the composition of the soil microbial communities. We also characterized the bacterial communities associated with the rhizosphere, roots, nodules, and leaves of wild plants collected in the field and compared them against plants obtained under greenhouse conditions. In the plant compartments, the bacterial composition appeared to be more affected by the growing conditions (field vs greenhouse), than by soil characteristics or location. These results can be used to identify key taxa that may play crucial roles in the development and adaptation of the host plant and its associated microbiota to environmental changes and highlight the importance of characterizing the plant microbiomes in their natural habitats. Soil, influenced by climatic seasons, shapes the plant microbiome assembly. Lupinus recruits a core microbiome across rhizosphere, roots, nodules, and leaves, that is stable across locations. However, cultivation conditions may alter microbiome dynamics, impacting the adaptability of its components. Wild plants show a resilient and adaptable microbiome while germination and cultivation in greenhouse conditions alter its composition and vulnerability.

Plants use a combination of sophisticated local and systemic pathways to optimize growth depending on heterogeneous nutrient availability in the soil. Legume plants can acquire mineral nitrogen (N) either through their roots or via a symbiotic interaction with N-fixing rhizobia bacteria housed in so-called root nodules. To identify shoot-to-root systemic signals acting in Medicago truncatula plants at N-deficit or N-satiety, plants were grown in a split-root experimental design, in which either high or low N was provided to a half of the root system, allowing the analysis of systemic pathways independently of any local N response. Among the plant hormone families analyzed, the cytokinin trans-Zeatin accumulated in plants at N-satiety. Cytokinin application by petiole feeding led to an inhibition of both root growth and nodulation. In addition, an exhaustive analysis of miRNAs revealed that miR2111 accumulates systemically under N-deficit in both shoots and non-treated distant roots, whereas a miRNA related to inorganic Phosphate (Pi)-acquisition, the miR399, does so in plants grown at N-satiety. These two accumulation patterns are dependent on CRA2 (Compact Root Architecture 2), a receptor required for CEP (C-terminally Encoded Peptide) signaling. Constitutive ectopic expression of the miR399 reduced nodule numbers and root biomass depending on Pi availability, suggesting that the miR399-dependent Pi-acquisition regulatory module controlled by N-availability affects the development of the whole legume plant root system.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) is a major food legume providing high quality nutrition, especially in developing regions. Chickpea wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris) causes significant annual losses. Integrated disease management of Fusarium wilt is supported by resistant varieties. Relatively few resistance genes are known so there is value in exploring genetic resources in chickpea wild relatives. This study investigates the inheritance of Fusarium wilt resistance (race 2) in recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from a cross between a cultivated susceptible chickpea variety (Gokce) and a wild resistant Cicer reticulatum line (Kayat-077). RILs, parents, resistant and susceptible tester lines were twice grown in the greenhouse with inoculation and disease symptoms scored. DNA was extracted from dried leaves and individuals were single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyped. SNPs were placed on the reference chickpea genome and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping was performed. Significant QTL regions were examined using PulseDB to identify candidate genes. The results showed the segregation of Fusarium wilt resistance conforming to a single gene inheritance. One significant QTL was found at the start of chromosome 8, containing 138 genes, three of which were disease-resistance candidates for chickpea breeding.

OBJECTIVE: Wild species are strategic sources of valuable traits to be introduced into crops through hybridization. For peanut, the 33 currently described wild species in the section Arachis are particularly important because of their sexual compatibility with the domesticated species, Arachis hypogaea. Although numerous wild accessions are carefully preserved in seed banks, their morphological similarities pose challenges to routine classification.
METHODS: Using a high-density array, we genotyped 272 accessions encompassing all diploid species in section Arachis. Detailed relationships between accessions and species were revealed through phylogenetic analyses and interpreted using the expertise of germplasm collectors and curators.
RESULTS: Two main groups were identified: one with A genome species and the other with B, D, F, G, and K genomes. Species groupings generally showed clear boundaries. Structure within groups was informative, for instance, revealing the history of the proto-domesticate A. stenosperma. However, some groupings suggested multiple sibling species. Others were polyphyletic, indicating the need for taxonomic revision. Annual species were better defined than perennial ones, revealing limitations in applying classical and phylogenetic species concepts to the genus. We suggest new species assignments for several accessions.
CONCLUSIONS: Curated by germplasm collectors and curators, this analysis of species relationships lays the foundation for future species descriptions, classification of unknown accessions, and germplasm use for peanut improvement. It supports the conservation and curation of current germplasm, both critical tasks considering the threats to the genus posed by habitat loss and the current restrictions on new collections and germplasm transfer.

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