ABSTRACTCooking time (CT), post‐harvest darkening (PHD), and micronutrient content influence consumer preference of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties. The objective of this study was to evaluate Andean genotypes for CT, PHD, and seed iron and zinc concentration. A total of 52 genotypes belonging to three market classes, namely, purple‐speckled (Kabulangeti), yellows, and cranberry (sugar beans), were grown at the Golden Valley Agricultural Research Trust (GART) Farm and the Mpika Research Farm in Zambia and assessed for CT, PHD, and seed iron and zinc concentration. The fastest cooking genotype among all 52 genotypes was a yellow genotype, Y1612‐5. Yellow genotypes generally cooked faster than the Kabulangeti and sugar types. Among the elite lines with Kabulangeti seed types, which is a dominant market class in Zambia, the elite line K175 had faster CT and higher iron and zinc concentration than the Kabulangeti landrace race currently available on the Zambian market. Kabulangeti and sugar genotypes showed regular darkening, whereas yellows did not darken. The yellow genotype Y1612‐3 was particularly outstanding because of its unique combination of high concentrations of both iron and zinc. Therefore, it can be used to introgress these two essential minerals into variable genetic backgrounds. The significant variability and high to moderate heritability for CT (0.85) and iron (0.81) and zinc (0.58) concentration observed in the current study suggest that it is possible to make progress in breeding for faster cooking varieties that are rich in iron and zinc.

ABSTRACTThis study evaluated 22 spring‐type faba bean cultivars in the main areas for cultivation of faba bean in Norway to assess the variation of 14 faba bean traits due to cultivar (G), environment (E), and their interaction (G × E), and to assess their stability across environments by using the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis and coefficient of variation (CV). Significant G, E, and G × E effects were found for most traits, with environment accounting for much of the variance in yield and the growing degree days (GDD) to different developmental stages. Yield was highly correlated with thousand kernel weight (TKW) and GDD to BBCH 89 (maturation). The stability of the cultivars was studied for yield, TKW, and GDD to BBCH 89. Stability analysis using the AMMI stability value, yield stability index, CV, and the average sum of ranks identified Birgit, Stella, Bobas, and Macho as the most stable high‐yielding cultivars across environments, achieving a mean yield of 6–6.4 tons ha−1. Bobas, Macho, Stella, and Yukon had the most stable TKW (612–699 g) and Bobas, Capri, Trumpet, and Vertigo were the most stable regarding GDD to BBCH 89 (1257°C days, with a base temperature of 5°C). These stable cultivars can be utilized in breeding programs to achieve high and stable faba bean yield in the main growing areas of Norway and other Nordic‐Baltic countries.

ABSTRACTLow soil mineral concentrations are a major limitation to the nutritional quality of grain crops produced in Africa. As a result, 232 million people are suffering from microelement deficiency and 239 million from protein‐calorie malnutrition in Africa. This study evaluated the nutritional quality of common bean grain harvested from 63 genotypes planted at Malkerns in Eswatini. The results showed significantly marked differences in the concentrations of 10 dietarily important nutrient elements. Of the macronutrients, Na levels showed the highest variation (12.00–91.00 mg/g) among the 63 bean genotypes, followed by K (14.03–22.03 mg/g) and P (3.30–9.57 mg/g), with Mg (1.57–2.30 mg/g) and Ca (0.80–2.68 mg/g) concentrations exhibiting the least difference among the bean genotypes. Of the micronutrients, Fe levels revealed the highest variation (66.36–151.08 mg/kg), followed by Zn (23.57–70.72 mg/kg) and Mn (11.53–26.84 mg/kg), with B (10.06–17.65 mg/kg) and Cu (6.30–13.67 mg/kg) exhibiting relatively lower differences among the 63 common bean genotypes. However, genotype NUC 461 recorded the highest grain concentrations of P, K, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, and B, followed by DAB 155, which also revealed high levels of P, K, Ca, Fe, Zn, and Mn in its seeds. For improved human health and nutrition, the two bean genotypes would be the ideal candidates to recommend to commercial bean growers and resource‐poor farmers. However, the mechanisms underlying the greater accumulation of six to seven dietarily important nutrient elements by genotypes NUC 461 and DAB 155 remain to be determined.

ABSTRACTLentil (Lens culinaris L.) is an ancient leguminous crop, with its seeds eaten in numerous forms in throughout the world. Along with macronutrients and micronutrients, it provides a range of non‐nutritional constituents, which are categorized as bioactive compounds. These compounds have immense roles in maintaining biological functions in plants and animal kingdom. Bioactive compounds in lentils consist of phenolic compounds, pigment, tocopherol, flavonoids, lectins, oxalic acid, phytic acid, and so forth. Some of these compounds are regarded as antinutritional factors (ANFs) because they prevent nutrients from being absorbed. Processing methods such as cooking, germination, fermentation, dehulling, milling, and extrusion can drastically reduce the amount of ANFs contained in lentils. The primary objective of dehulling and milling is not to reduce or eliminate the ANFs of lentils but to increase their feasibility for using in various food applications. However, the processing stresses may result good or bad effects on the bioactive molecules as well. For instance, the raw lentils may not contain any γ‐aminobutyric acid, but following germination and fermentation, it becomes abundant. In this article, we reviewed the studies on the impact assessment of processing techniques on the bioactive components of lentils. By combining existing literature, this review fills a knowledge gap on the ways that processing methods affect lentils' bioactive properties and offers valuable guidance for dietary applications and informed consumer choices. Lentils can cater to recent consumer trends for increasing preference of plant‐based proteins by offering nutrient‐dense and healthy dietary options.

ABSTRACTThe protein isolation process produces a protein isolate and a starch byproduct. This research focuses on characterizing the composition, pasting properties, and gel firmness (FM) of starch fractions of five yellow pea genotypes grown in six environments in the state of Washington, USA. Protein isolation yielded 17% protein and 60% starch fractions. The starch fraction had a purity range of 66.0%–84.8%. Pea starch exhibited a strong gel‐forming property. The pasting temperatures (PTs) of the starch fractions from the five pea entries ranged between 73.2 °C and 77.1 °C. Viscosity measurements indicated significant seasonal variations. Specifically, the viscosity parameters for the starches from the 2020 to 2022 seasons were significantly higher than those from the 2021 season. Differences in weather conditions partly contributed to seasonal variations. The 2021 season experienced low rainfall, primarily in May and June, followed by high temperatures during late June and the first 3 weeks of July. The principal component analysis (PCA) of 344 viscosity measurements from the Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA) test showed a clear separation of the 2021 samples from those of 2020 and 2022, emphasizing the impact of the differences in growing conditions.

ABSTRACTLentil milk–based soft cheese (LBC) is one of the emerging partial substitutes for animal milk‐based cheese. With time, more people want to reduce their meat and dairy intake for ethical, environmental, and chronic health–related concerns. This study focused on the formulation of LBC using milk extracted from green gram (S1 (6.5 g) of proteins), red gram (S2 (5 g) proteins), and black gram (S3 (3.5 g) proteins). All formulated LBC samples were investigated by determining proximate analysis, syneresis, viscosity, texture, color change, storage time, microbial count, and sensory attributes to evaluate the quality during 15 days of storage. The results reported that pH levels decreased for both S1 and S3, while S2 showed an increasing trend from Day 1 to Day 15. Viscosity and syneresis increased from Days 1 to 15 in S1, S2, and S3. Moreover, assessment of storage stability showed significant changes (p < 0.05) in the microbial count for S1 (7.89–4.98 CFU/mL), S2 (2.88–9.68 CFU/mL), and S3 (1.39–7.09 CFU/mL) from Day 1 to Day 15. The puncture force test reported that S1 showed a decreasing trend while S2 and S3 showed an increasing trend. The color attributes also showed a rising trend across all LBC samples. For sensory evaluation, LBC prepared using green gram showed the highest scores, particularly in appearance, texture, and color. Overall findings concluded the potential of lentil milk as a suitable ingredient for plant‐based soft cheese production, offering a new nutritious option for consumers with dietary preferences or restrictions.

ABSTRACTThe Andean lima bean (ALB) (Phaseolus lunatus L.), also known as “Pallar” in Peru, is a large, semi‐flat, kidney‐shaped rarely investigated legume. This ancestral legume lacks in‐depth scientific reports and is mainly cultivated in the coastal region of the Ica valley. Its consumption dates back to ancient times, as evidenced by archaeological finds from pre‐Columbian civilizations in Peru, and it is still part of the Peruvian diet today. ALB has been domesticated and adapted to climate change in arid territories and under peculiar agronomic conditions in Peru, making the crop tolerant to various stresses, including drought. Like the common bean, ALB is an important source of protein, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and micronutrients that are essential for a nutritious diet. However, the information on its diversity, particularly the native varieties that are the ancestors of the commercial lima bean “Pallar de Ica,” is scarce. Therefore, this review consisted of synthesizing and analyzing important aspects of the little known ALB, such as its morphological description, domestication, response to climate change, nutritional composition, and relevance to food security and potential for cultivation to address food shortages.

ABSTRACTGenotype by environment (G × E) interaction obstructs breeding by persuading variations in genotype performance. The aim of the present study was to determine the stability and yield performance of Desi and Kabuli chickpea varieties at different agroecological regions of Ethiopia, using different stability parameters. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The additive main effect and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated highly significant differences (p ≤ 0.01) for environments, genotypes, and importantly G × E interaction. AMMI and GGE biplot, AMMI's stability value (ASV) indicate that the Desi chickpea variety Teketay with mean yield of 2225.6 kg/ha (highest) and the variety Dimtu (1603.9 kg/ha) followed by Natoli with mean yield of 2004.9 kg/ha were found to be stable and adaptable to all environments. Similarly, from the Kabuli chickpea varieties, the variety Koka with mean grain yield of 2257.1 kg/ha (highest) and the variety Ejere with mean yield of 1997.6 kg/ha followed by Shasho (1798.59 kg/ha) were found to be stable and adaptable to all environments and should be promoted for production in chickpea‐growing areas of Ethiopia. In conclusion, identification of stable improved varieties for the different agroecological regions can assist the producers such as the farmers for the effective chickpea production. This leads to sustainable self‐sufficiency of food at the household and country level.

ABSTRACTPhytic acid, proteins, and oils are seed storage compounds that play a role in germination and seedling growth and may determine seed quality. The pattern of accumulation of these compounds and the relationship of their contents with the seed quality of the Bambara nut (BN) are poorly understood. Seeds of three BN landraces, AbiBam001 (black/cream), LocalBam (brown speckled), and TVSU544 (cream), were harvested from two field experiments at different maturation stages and tested for final germination percentage (FGP), germination velocity index (GVI), and seedling dry weight (SDW). Seed samples from the same experiments were analyzed for phytic acid and proximate composition. Kendall's ranked correlation was used to describe relationships between phytic acid, protein, and oil contents and the seed quality of the landraces. Results showed no differences in the phytate, protein, and oil contents of landraces during seed maturation (p > 0.05), except for the phytate content of AbiBam001 (p < 0.05), which increased in the first experiment. At mass maturity, AbiBam001 and LocalBam had higher phytate and less protein and oil contents than TVSU544, implying that seed coat color may influence the phytate, protein, and oil contents of BN landraces. Higher phytate content in landraces appeared to relate positively with FGP, GVI, and SDW and vice versa. Phytic acid may positively affect seed germinability in BN landraces with high phytate content but may affect it negatively in low‐phytate landraces. The oil content of all landraces had negative correlations with most seed quality characteristics, suggesting that BN oils either are not priority reserves or play a minimal role in germination and seedling growth.

ABSTRACTThe common bean weevil (Acanthoscellides obtectus [Say]) is a major post‐harvest pest of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in tropical regions. Developing and using weevil‐resistant varieties is the most environmentally and cost‐effective means of mitigating the losses caused by the common bean weevil. The arcelin–phytohemagglutinin–alpha‐amylase (APA) locus, originally from tepary bean (Phaseolus acutifolius A. Gray), provides effective resistance against the common bean weevil. The APA locus is currently deployed in very limited market classes, and knowledge of the stability of its resistance across different market classes of common bean is limited. The objectives of this study were to (i) introgress the APA locus into selected market classes of Andean gene pool of common bean and (ii) determine the stability of APA‐based resistance to A. obtectus (AO) in multiple market classes of common bean. A total of 571 F5:7 breeding lines derived from crossing the weevil‐resistant breeding line AO‐1012‐29‐3‐3A (AO‐3A) possessing the APA locus with seven Andean genotypes belonging to five market classes were evaluated for resistance to AO. Of the 571 breeding lines screened, 16 were resistant, representing a low weevil resistance recovery rate of 2.8%. These lines are across diverse market classes, including those preferred in African countries. Of the 16 newly developed resistant breeding lines, six were more resistant to AO (scores ranging from 1–1.3) than AO‐3A (score of 2), and these can be used for further genetic enhancement of common bean resistance to AO.