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Well-managed legume-based food systems are uniquely positioned to curtail the existential challenge posed by climate change through the significant contribution that legumes can make toward limiting Green House Gas (GHG) emissions. This potential is enabled by the specific functional attributes offered only by legumes, which deliver multiple co-benefits through improved ecosystem functions, including reduced farmland biodiversity loss, and better human-health and -nutrition provisioning. These three critical societal challenges are referred to collectively here as the “climate-biodiversity-nutrition nexus.” Despite the unparalleled potential of the provisions offered by legumes, this diverse crop group remains characterized as underutilized throughout Europe, and in many regions world-wide. This commentary highlights that integrated, diverse, legume-based, regenerative agricultural practices should be allied with more-concerted action on ex-farm gate factors at appropriate bioregional scales. Also, that this can be achieved whilst optimizing production, safeguarding food-security, and minimizing additional land-use requirements. To help avoid forfeiting the benefits of legume cultivation for system function, a specific and practical methodological and decision-aid framework is offered. This is based upon the identification and management of sustainable-development indicators for legume-based value chains, to help manage the key facilitative capacities and dependencies. Solving the wicked problems of the climate-biodiversity-nutrition nexus demands complex solutions and multiple benefits and this legume-focus must be allied with more-concerted policy action, including improved facilitation of the catalytic provisions provided by collaborative capacity builders—to ensure that the knowledge networks are established, that there is unhindered information flow, and that new transformative value-chain capacities and business models are established.
Pietro P. M. Iannetta; Cathy Hawes; Graham S. Begg; Henrik Maaß; Georgia Ntatsi; Dimitrios Savvas; Marta Vasconcelos; Karen Hamann; Michael Williams; David Styles; Luiza Toma; Shailesh Shrestha; Bálint Balázs; Eszter Kelemen; Marko Debeljak; Aneta Trajanov; R Vickers; Robert M. Rees. A Multifunctional Solution for Wicked Problems: Value-Chain Wide Facilitation of Legumes Cultivated at Bioregional Scales Is Necessary to Address the Climate-Biodiversity-Nutrition Nexus. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 2021, 5, 1 .
AMA StylePietro P. M. Iannetta, Cathy Hawes, Graham S. Begg, Henrik Maaß, Georgia Ntatsi, Dimitrios Savvas, Marta Vasconcelos, Karen Hamann, Michael Williams, David Styles, Luiza Toma, Shailesh Shrestha, Bálint Balázs, Eszter Kelemen, Marko Debeljak, Aneta Trajanov, R Vickers, Robert M. Rees. A Multifunctional Solution for Wicked Problems: Value-Chain Wide Facilitation of Legumes Cultivated at Bioregional Scales Is Necessary to Address the Climate-Biodiversity-Nutrition Nexus. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. 2021; 5 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StylePietro P. M. Iannetta; Cathy Hawes; Graham S. Begg; Henrik Maaß; Georgia Ntatsi; Dimitrios Savvas; Marta Vasconcelos; Karen Hamann; Michael Williams; David Styles; Luiza Toma; Shailesh Shrestha; Bálint Balázs; Eszter Kelemen; Marko Debeljak; Aneta Trajanov; R Vickers; Robert M. Rees. 2021. "A Multifunctional Solution for Wicked Problems: Value-Chain Wide Facilitation of Legumes Cultivated at Bioregional Scales Is Necessary to Address the Climate-Biodiversity-Nutrition Nexus." Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 5, no. : 1.
The food- and feed-value systems in the European Union are not protein self-sufficient. Despite the potential of legume-supported production systems to reduce the externalities caused by current cultivation practices (excessive use of N fertilizer) and improve the sustainability of the arable cropping systems and the quality of human diets, sufficient production of high-protein legume grains in Europe has not been achieved due to multiple barriers. Identifying the barriers to the production and consumption of legumes is the first step in realizing new pathways towards more sustainable food systems of which legumes are integral part. In this study, we engage stakeholders and decision-makers in a structured communication process, the Delphi method, to identify policy interventions leveraging barriers that hinder the production and consumption of legumes in the EU. This study is one of a kind and uses a systematic method to reach a common understanding of the policy incoherencies across sectors. Through this method we identify policy interventions that may promote the production of legumes and the creation of legume-based products in the EU. Policies that encourage reduced use of inorganic N fertilizer represent an important step toward a shift in the increased cultivation of legumes. Relatedly, investment in R&D, extension services, and knowledge transfer is necessary to support a smooth transition from the heavy use of synthetic N fertilizer in conventional agriculture. These policy interventions are discussed within current EU and national plant-protein strategies.
Bálint Balázs; Eszter Kelemen; Tiziana Centofanti; Marta Vasconcelos; Pietro Iannetta. Policy Interventions Promoting Sustainable Food- and Feed-Systems: A Delphi Study of Legume Production and Consumption. Sustainability 2021, 13, 7597 .
AMA StyleBálint Balázs, Eszter Kelemen, Tiziana Centofanti, Marta Vasconcelos, Pietro Iannetta. Policy Interventions Promoting Sustainable Food- and Feed-Systems: A Delphi Study of Legume Production and Consumption. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (14):7597.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBálint Balázs; Eszter Kelemen; Tiziana Centofanti; Marta Vasconcelos; Pietro Iannetta. 2021. "Policy Interventions Promoting Sustainable Food- and Feed-Systems: A Delphi Study of Legume Production and Consumption." Sustainability 13, no. 14: 7597.
Despite the importance of dormancy and dormancy cycling for plants’ fitness and life cycle phenology, a comprehensive characterization of the global and cellular epigenetic patterns across space and time in different seed dormancy states is lacking. Using Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. (shepherd’s purse) seeds with primary and secondary dormancy, we investigated the dynamics of global genomic DNA methylation and explored the spatio-temporal distribution of 5-methylcytosine (5-mC) and histone H4 acetylated (H4Ac) epigenetic marks. Seeds were imbibed at 30 °C in a light regime to maintain primary dormancy, or in darkness to induce secondary dormancy. An ELISA-based method was used to quantify DNA methylation, in relation to total genomic cytosines. Immunolocalization of 5-mC and H4Ac within whole seeds (i.e., including testa) was assessed with reference to embryo anatomy. Global DNA methylation levels were highest in prolonged (14 days) imbibed primary dormant seeds, with more 5-mC marked nuclei present only in specific parts of the seed (e.g., SAM and cotyledons). In secondary dormant seeds, global methylation levels and 5-mC signal where higher at 3 and 7 days than 1 or 14 days. With respect to acetylation, seeds had fewer H4Ac marked nuclei (e.g., SAM) in deeper dormant states, for both types of dormancy. However, the RAM still showed signal after 14 days of imbibition under dormancy-inducing conditions, suggesting a central role for the radicle/RAM in the response to perceived ambient changes and the adjustment of the seed dormancy state. Thus, we show that seed dormancy involves extensive cellular remodeling of DNA methylation and H4 acetylation.
Sara Gomez-Cabellos; Peter E. Toorop; María Jesús Cañal; Pietro P. M. Iannetta; Eduardo Fernández-Pascual; Hugh W. Pritchard; Anne M. Visscher. Global DNA methylation and cellular 5-methylcytosine and H4 acetylated patterns in primary and secondary dormant seeds of Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. (shepherd’s purse). Protoplasma 2021, 1 -20.
AMA StyleSara Gomez-Cabellos, Peter E. Toorop, María Jesús Cañal, Pietro P. M. Iannetta, Eduardo Fernández-Pascual, Hugh W. Pritchard, Anne M. Visscher. Global DNA methylation and cellular 5-methylcytosine and H4 acetylated patterns in primary and secondary dormant seeds of Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. (shepherd’s purse). Protoplasma. 2021; ():1-20.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSara Gomez-Cabellos; Peter E. Toorop; María Jesús Cañal; Pietro P. M. Iannetta; Eduardo Fernández-Pascual; Hugh W. Pritchard; Anne M. Visscher. 2021. "Global DNA methylation and cellular 5-methylcytosine and H4 acetylated patterns in primary and secondary dormant seeds of Capsella bursa-pastoris (L.) Medik. (shepherd’s purse)." Protoplasma , no. : 1-20.
Background Agriculture is facing an unprecedented challenge in having to reduce its environmental footprint whilst ensuring food security to an ever-growing global population. Towards this end, several strategies have been investigated and implemented to help maintain or improve crop yield under reduced water and/or nutrient provision for key commercial commodities such as tomatoes. Despite the high commercial, nutritional, and food-cultural value, there is no synthesis of evidence regarding yield maintenance of tomato (as a model crop) under resource-deficit. This systematic map therefore provides an overview of the evidence that exists on the effectiveness of techniques and management approaches aimed at improving the productivity of field-grown tomatoes under conditions of water-, nitrogen- (N) and/or phosphorus (P)-deficit. Methods Following the published map protocol, systematic searches of peer reviewed- and grey-literature were conducted using research publication databases, and specialist websites. A total of 14,377 unique articles were identified as potentially relevant to our research question, of which 927 were screened at the full-text level. Of that subset, 291 articles met all the pre-defined eligibility criteria. Basic information and meta-data on the interventions reported were recorded for these articles and a systematic map was compiled with the extracted data. Results The articles included in the systematic map database were used to identify several significant points including: (1) from the year 2000, the number of articles investigating strategies to improve field-grown tomato yield under conditions of water and/or nutrient deficit follows an upward trend; (2) large evidence bases (> 50%) originated from the United States, India, and Italy; (3) most studies addressed water alone as a resource (49%), with only 18% of studies focussing on N and 4% on P alone. Only 4% of records assessed all three resources simultaneously; (4) most evidence (77%) aims to improve resource use-efficiency via either irrigation, fertilisation, or crop and soil management strategies; and (5) different geographical regions appear to focus on different groups of interventions. Conclusions This systematic map identifies a range of interventions that have been successfully implemented in fields to improve the yield of commercial tomatoes under conditions of water, N and/or P deficit. However, only half of the relevant literature reported evidence on more than one intervention, which highlights the need for more integrated approaches to assess multiple interventions to adapt to deficits of key-resources simultaneously. In addition, the use of ‘techno-chemical’, ‘breeding and genetic’ and ‘computational’ interventions are only reported in a small number of records (< 8% of the gathered evidence). Hence, these interventions may also be considered as subjects to prioritise in future funding strategies.
Fanny Tran; Jonathan E. Holland; Nora Quesada; Mark Young; Damian Bienkowski; Dimitrios Savvas; Andrea Schubert; Georgia Ntatsi; Philip J. White; Graham S. Begg; Pietro P. M. Iannetta. What evidence exists on the effectiveness of the techniques and management approaches used to improve the productivity of field-grown tomatoes under conditions of water-, nitrogen- and/or phosphorus-deficit? A systematic map. Environmental Evidence 2021, 10, 1 -17.
AMA StyleFanny Tran, Jonathan E. Holland, Nora Quesada, Mark Young, Damian Bienkowski, Dimitrios Savvas, Andrea Schubert, Georgia Ntatsi, Philip J. White, Graham S. Begg, Pietro P. M. Iannetta. What evidence exists on the effectiveness of the techniques and management approaches used to improve the productivity of field-grown tomatoes under conditions of water-, nitrogen- and/or phosphorus-deficit? A systematic map. Environmental Evidence. 2021; 10 (1):1-17.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFanny Tran; Jonathan E. Holland; Nora Quesada; Mark Young; Damian Bienkowski; Dimitrios Savvas; Andrea Schubert; Georgia Ntatsi; Philip J. White; Graham S. Begg; Pietro P. M. Iannetta. 2021. "What evidence exists on the effectiveness of the techniques and management approaches used to improve the productivity of field-grown tomatoes under conditions of water-, nitrogen- and/or phosphorus-deficit? A systematic map." Environmental Evidence 10, no. 1: 1-17.
The food- and feed-value systems in the European Union are not protein self-sufficient. Despite their potential to improve the well-being of arable cropping systems, sufficient production of high-protein legume grains in Europe has not been achieved due to multiple barriers. The reasons are multiple and span economic, agronomic, research, and extension services, as well as aspects of culture and traditional dietary habits. Given the well-documented advantages of legume-supported production systems and diets, that include ecosystem and health provisions, acknowledging and promoting legumes as cornerstone species for more sustainable agri-food systems is a necessary and logical step. This paper provides an integrated analysis of case studies and current policies that shape the production and consumption of legumes in Europe. This study identified three key pathways, which can be integrated into sustainable farming systems to support current and future food security challenges via the use of legumes and legume-based products. At each pathway, we identified several enablers that support the sustainability transformation of legume production and consumption in Europe.
Bálint Balázs; Eszter Kelemen; Tiziana Centofanti; Marta W. Vasconcelos; Pietro P.M. Iannetta. Integrated policy analysis to identify transformation paths to more sustainable legume-based food and feed value-chains in Europe. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems 2021, 45, 931 -953.
AMA StyleBálint Balázs, Eszter Kelemen, Tiziana Centofanti, Marta W. Vasconcelos, Pietro P.M. Iannetta. Integrated policy analysis to identify transformation paths to more sustainable legume-based food and feed value-chains in Europe. Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems. 2021; 45 (6):931-953.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBálint Balázs; Eszter Kelemen; Tiziana Centofanti; Marta W. Vasconcelos; Pietro P.M. Iannetta. 2021. "Integrated policy analysis to identify transformation paths to more sustainable legume-based food and feed value-chains in Europe." Agroecology and Sustainable Food Systems 45, no. 6: 931-953.
Pulse (Fabaceae) grains, such as peas and beans, are derived from crops that are usually cultivated in the absence of mineral nitrogen fertiliser as these crops can obtain their nitrogen requirement naturally from the air via biological nitrogen fixation. Therefore, pulses present a significantly lower greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint than crops demanding nitrogen fertiliser, whilst also offering significant quantities of starch for the brewing and distilling industries. Mitigation of agriculture derived GHG emissions through utilisation of pulses can have a positive environmental impact. To this end, the potential of exploiting dry, dehulled faba bean (Vicia faba L.) kernel flour as an adjunct for beer production was evaluated. The impact of different temperature regimes and commercial enzymes were assessed for their effect on wort: viscosity; run‐off rate; primary amino nitrogen content and, fermentability. Faba beans demonstrated insufficient endogenous enzyme capacity for starch conversion and generated a viscous wort. However, using a stepped temperature mashing regime and exogenous enzyme additions, the faba bean wort was comparable in processability and fermentability to that of 100% malted barley wort. The faba based beer and co‐product qualities demonstrate the environmental, nutritional and commercial potential of pulses in brewing. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of the Institute of Brewing published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Institute of Brewing & Distilling
Kirsty Black; Athina Tziboula‐Clarke; Philip J. White; Pietro P.M. Iannetta; Graeme Walker. Optimised processing of faba bean ( Vicia faba L.) kernels as a brewing adjunct. Journal of the Institute of Brewing 2020, 127, 13 -20.
AMA StyleKirsty Black, Athina Tziboula‐Clarke, Philip J. White, Pietro P.M. Iannetta, Graeme Walker. Optimised processing of faba bean ( Vicia faba L.) kernels as a brewing adjunct. Journal of the Institute of Brewing. 2020; 127 (1):13-20.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKirsty Black; Athina Tziboula‐Clarke; Philip J. White; Pietro P.M. Iannetta; Graeme Walker. 2020. "Optimised processing of faba bean ( Vicia faba L.) kernels as a brewing adjunct." Journal of the Institute of Brewing 127, no. 1: 13-20.
The aim of the current study was to contribute to the establishment of sustainable organic crop rotation schemes for common bean under mild-winter climatic conditions. Common bean was cultivated according to organic or conventional farming practices during spring-summer in two successive years with crop and treatment during the preceding winter as either: (a) organic broccoli, (b) conventional broccoli, (c) organic faba bean used as green manure, or (d) fallow. Common bean was either inoculated with Rhizobium tropici CIAT 899 or non-inoculated, while faba bean was inoculated or non-inoculated with Rhizobium laguerreae VFLE1. Inoculating faba bean with rhizobia enhanced dry biomass production and biological N-fixing ability in both experimental years. Furthermore, organic farming did not restrict the yield of broccoli compared to conventional practices during the first year, while the reverse was the case in the second year, due to reduced soil N availability. Furthermore, green manure enhanced the fresh pod yield in the following organic crop of common bean in both years. The lowest yield was recorded in organically grown common bean when the preceding winter crop was organically grown broccoli in both years. Rhizobia inoculation of the common bean during the first year slightly increased atmospheric N fixation by common bean.
Ioannis Karavidas; Georgia Ntatsi; Theodora Ntanasi; Ioannis Vlachos; Anastasia Tampakaki; Pietro P. M. Iannetta; Dimitrios Savvas. Comparative Assessment of Different Crop Rotation Schemes for Organic Common Bean Production. Agronomy 2020, 10, 1269 .
AMA StyleIoannis Karavidas, Georgia Ntatsi, Theodora Ntanasi, Ioannis Vlachos, Anastasia Tampakaki, Pietro P. M. Iannetta, Dimitrios Savvas. Comparative Assessment of Different Crop Rotation Schemes for Organic Common Bean Production. Agronomy. 2020; 10 (9):1269.
Chicago/Turabian StyleIoannis Karavidas; Georgia Ntatsi; Theodora Ntanasi; Ioannis Vlachos; Anastasia Tampakaki; Pietro P. M. Iannetta; Dimitrios Savvas. 2020. "Comparative Assessment of Different Crop Rotation Schemes for Organic Common Bean Production." Agronomy 10, no. 9: 1269.
The potential to utilize low nitrogen barley for production of distilling quality malt was studied. This presents an opportunity to reduce the environmental impact of nitrogen fertilizer applications. Malting barley (cv. Octavia) was grown without the application of inorganic nitrogen fertilizer, to produce grain with a relatively low nitrogen concentration (1.16%, dry weight basis). Following micro-malting trials, dextrinizing units (58 DU) obtained from low nitrogen malt were much higher than a typical specification of 45 DU for malt with a conventional nitrogen concentration (<1.5%). A higher soluble nitrogen ratio (SNR) or index of modification (IoM) of 49 indicated greater modification of the low nitrogen barley, resulting in higher extract released into the wort. Additionally, much lower levels of β-glucan were found in low nitrogen malt wort (64 mg/L compared with over 100 mg/L in wort of conventional nitrogen malt). Low nitrogen malt also produced higher predicted spirit yields following wort fermentation and wash distillation. These findings indicate that lower nitrogen concentration barley can be processed without negatively impacting malt quality for distilling applications. The implication of these findings to help realize more environmentally sustainable production of barley for malting and use in distilling is discussed.
Kirsty Black; Martina Daute; Athina Tziboula-Clarke; Philip J. White; Pietro P. M. Iannetta; Graeme Walker. Utilization of Low Nitrogen Barley for Production of Distilling Quality Malt. Journal of the American Society of Brewing Chemists 2020, 79, 26 -32.
AMA StyleKirsty Black, Martina Daute, Athina Tziboula-Clarke, Philip J. White, Pietro P. M. Iannetta, Graeme Walker. Utilization of Low Nitrogen Barley for Production of Distilling Quality Malt. Journal of the American Society of Brewing Chemists. 2020; 79 (1):26-32.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKirsty Black; Martina Daute; Athina Tziboula-Clarke; Philip J. White; Pietro P. M. Iannetta; Graeme Walker. 2020. "Utilization of Low Nitrogen Barley for Production of Distilling Quality Malt." Journal of the American Society of Brewing Chemists 79, no. 1: 26-32.
The common bean (Phaseolous vulgaris L.) is a grain legume functionally characterized by its capacity for symbiotic of biological nitrogen fixation. As such, it does not demand the application of synthetic nitrogenous fertilizer and can offer environmental benefits as part of holistic cropping systems. While common bean commodities are highly nutritious, commercial cultivation of this crop is declining in already-industrialized countries. However, recent interest of consumers towards diets that benefit environmental and personal health has rekindled commercial interest in legumes, including the common bean. The aim of this protocol is to identify agronomic practices that are capable of increasing the yield and quality of the common bean for use as food. To address this research question, published literature will be screened for inclusion on the basis of defined eligibility criteria to ensure data sources are selected in an objective and consistent manner. Consistency checks will be carried out for the title, abstract and full texts of the literature collated. The output is expected to be a summary of the knowledge available to maximize the productivity and quality of the common bean as food. This anticipated synthesis will be of utility for a wide range of value-chain stakeholders from farmers and consumers, to research scientists and policy makers.
Georgia Ntatsi; Anestis Karkanis; Fanny Tran; Dimitrios Savvas; Pietro P. M. Iannetta. Which Agronomic Practices Increase the Yield and Quality of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)? A Systematic Review Protocol. Agronomy 2020, 10, 1008 .
AMA StyleGeorgia Ntatsi, Anestis Karkanis, Fanny Tran, Dimitrios Savvas, Pietro P. M. Iannetta. Which Agronomic Practices Increase the Yield and Quality of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)? A Systematic Review Protocol. Agronomy. 2020; 10 (7):1008.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGeorgia Ntatsi; Anestis Karkanis; Fanny Tran; Dimitrios Savvas; Pietro P. M. Iannetta. 2020. "Which Agronomic Practices Increase the Yield and Quality of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)? A Systematic Review Protocol." Agronomy 10, no. 7: 1008.
The starch in the grains of legumes, such as faba bean (Vicia faba L.), offers an environmentally sustainable raw material for the brewing industry as their entire nitrogen fertiliser requirement can be provided by the natural process of biological nitrogen fixation. Faba bean is, therefore, distinguished from species such as spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), which require large amounts of synthetic nitrogen fertiliser. Consumer analysis of beer produced with faba bean as an adjunct compared with barley malt beers has not previously been assessed. This study evaluated the potential of beers brewed using 30% (w/w) dehulled bean (kernel) flour as an adjunct to malted barley, using a series of quantitative sensory tests. The first, a blind acceptance test with inferred preference, found no statistically significant difference in the taste score of the bean kernel flour adjunct beer when compared with conventional beer. In the second acceptance test, the knowledge that the beer was produced using beans did not affect the overall consumer impression of the beer, regardless of how this information was presented. These results suggest that the use of faba beans in brewing does not impact negatively on the taste or acceptability of the resultant beer. © 2019 The Institute of Brewing & Distilling
Kirsty Black; Andrew Barnett; Athina Tziboula-Clarke; Philip J. White; Pietro P.M. Iannetta; Graeme Walker. Faba bean as a novel brewing adjunct: Consumer evaluation. Journal of the Institute of Brewing 2019, 125, 310 -314.
AMA StyleKirsty Black, Andrew Barnett, Athina Tziboula-Clarke, Philip J. White, Pietro P.M. Iannetta, Graeme Walker. Faba bean as a novel brewing adjunct: Consumer evaluation. Journal of the Institute of Brewing. 2019; 125 (3):310-314.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKirsty Black; Andrew Barnett; Athina Tziboula-Clarke; Philip J. White; Pietro P.M. Iannetta; Graeme Walker. 2019. "Faba bean as a novel brewing adjunct: Consumer evaluation." Journal of the Institute of Brewing 125, no. 3: 310-314.
The intensification of arable production since the 1950s has resulted in increases in yield but only at significant cost to the environment, raising serious concerns about long-term consequences for the sustainability of food production systems. While a range of policies and practices have been put in place to mitigate negative effects in terms of pollution, soil degradation and loss of biodiversity, their efficacy has not been properly quantified. Whole-system effects of management change are rarely studied and so trade-offs and conflicts between different components of the agricultural system are poorly understood. A long-term field platform was therefore established in which conventional arable management was compared with a low-input, integrated cropping system designed with the goal to maintain yields whilst enhancing biodiversity and minimizing environmental impact. Over the first rotation, only winter wheat yielded less under integrated management; yield was maintained for the remaining five crops (spring and winter barley, winter oilseed rape, potato and field beans), suggesting a negligible impact on economic returns. Beneficial broad-leaved weeds were significantly more abundant in the integrated management system across all crops whereas grass weeds showed no overall response to treatment. Soil carbon, pH and soil concentrations of the main plant growth-limiting macronutrients were enhanced under the integrated management system. The integrated system was therefore successful in meeting the goals to enhance biodiversity and reduce environmental impact without jeopardizing crop yields.
Cathy Hawes; Colin J. Alexander; Graham S. Begg; Pietro P. M. Iannetta; Alison J. Karley; Geoffrey R. Squire; Mark Young. Plant Responses to an Integrated Cropping System Designed to Maintain Yield Whilst Enhancing Soil Properties and Biodiversity. Agronomy 2018, 8, 229 .
AMA StyleCathy Hawes, Colin J. Alexander, Graham S. Begg, Pietro P. M. Iannetta, Alison J. Karley, Geoffrey R. Squire, Mark Young. Plant Responses to an Integrated Cropping System Designed to Maintain Yield Whilst Enhancing Soil Properties and Biodiversity. Agronomy. 2018; 8 (10):229.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCathy Hawes; Colin J. Alexander; Graham S. Begg; Pietro P. M. Iannetta; Alison J. Karley; Geoffrey R. Squire; Mark Young. 2018. "Plant Responses to an Integrated Cropping System Designed to Maintain Yield Whilst Enhancing Soil Properties and Biodiversity." Agronomy 8, no. 10: 229.
Lathyrus linifolius L. (Reichard) Bässler (bitter vetch) is a fabaceous nitrogen (N) fixing species. A coloniser of low nutrient (N) soils it supports biodiversity such as key moth and butterfly species and its roots are known for their organoleptic and claimed therapeutic properties. Thus, the species has high potential for restoration, conservation, novel cropping and as model species. The latter owing to its genetic synteny with important pulse crops. However, regeneration and functional attributes of L. linifolius remain to be characterised. Seeds of L. linifolius were characterised using physical, colourimetric and chemical data. Ultrastructural and functional characterisation of the N fixing root nodules included immunolabelling with nifH‐protein antibodies (recognising the N fixing enzyme, nitrogenase). Endosymbiotic bacteria were isolated from the root nodules and characterised phylogenetically using 16S rRNA, nodA and nodD gene sequeneces. L. linifolius yielded hetermorphic seeds of distinct colour classes: green and brown. Seed morphotypes had similar carbon:N ratios and were equally germinable (ca. 90%) after scarification at differing optimal temperatures (16 and 20°C, respectively). Brown seeds were larger and comprised a larger proportion of the seed batch (69%). L. linifolius root nodules appeared indeterminate in structure, effective (capable of fixing atmospheric N) and accommodated strains with high similarity to Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viciae. The findings and rhizobial isolates have potential application for ecological restoration and horticulture using native seeds. Also, the data and rhizobial resources have potential application in comparative and functional studies with related and socio‐economically important crops such as Pisum, Lens and Vicia. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
E. Dello Jacovo; T. A. Valentine; Marta Maluk; P. Toorop; L. Lopez Del Egido; N. Frachon; G. Kenicer; L. Park; M. Goff; Valerie Ferro; C. Bonomi; E. K. James; P. P. M. Iannetta. Towards a characterisation of the wild legume bitter vetch (Lathyrus linifoliusL. (Reichard) Bässler): heteromorphic seed germination, root nodule structure and N‐fixing rhizobial symbionts. Plant Biology 2018, 21, 523 -532.
AMA StyleE. Dello Jacovo, T. A. Valentine, Marta Maluk, P. Toorop, L. Lopez Del Egido, N. Frachon, G. Kenicer, L. Park, M. Goff, Valerie Ferro, C. Bonomi, E. K. James, P. P. M. Iannetta. Towards a characterisation of the wild legume bitter vetch (Lathyrus linifoliusL. (Reichard) Bässler): heteromorphic seed germination, root nodule structure and N‐fixing rhizobial symbionts. Plant Biology. 2018; 21 (3):523-532.
Chicago/Turabian StyleE. Dello Jacovo; T. A. Valentine; Marta Maluk; P. Toorop; L. Lopez Del Egido; N. Frachon; G. Kenicer; L. Park; M. Goff; Valerie Ferro; C. Bonomi; E. K. James; P. P. M. Iannetta. 2018. "Towards a characterisation of the wild legume bitter vetch (Lathyrus linifoliusL. (Reichard) Bässler): heteromorphic seed germination, root nodule structure and N‐fixing rhizobial symbionts." Plant Biology 21, no. 3: 523-532.
Testing rhizobial inoculation of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in hydroponics enables accurate quantification of biological N2 fixation (BNF) and provides information about the potential of reducing inorganic N fertilizer use. In view of this background, common bean grown on pumice was inoculated with Rhizobium tropici CIAT899 (Rt) and supplied with either full-N (total nitrogen 11.2 mmol L−1), 1/3 of full-N or N-free nutrient solution (NS). BNF was quantified at the early pod-filling stage using the 15N natural abundance method. Full-N supply to Rt-inoculated plants resulted in markedly smaller nodules than less- or zero-N supply, and no BNF. Rt inoculation of full-N-treated plants did not increase biomass and pod yield compared with non-inoculation. Restriction (1/3 of full-N) or omission of inorganic N resulted in successful nodulation and BNF (54.3 and 49.2 kg N ha−1, corresponding to 58 and 100% of total plant N content respectively) but suppressed dry shoot biomass from 191.7 (full-N, +Rt) to 107.4 and 43.2 g per plant respectively. Nutrient cation uptake was reduced when inorganic N supply was less or omitted. Rt inoculation of hydroponic bean provides no advantage when full-N NS is supplied, while 1/3 of full-N or N-free NS suppresses plant biomass and yield, partly because the restricted NO3− supply impairs cation uptake. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Charis-Konstantina Kontopoulou; Epifanios Liasis; Pietro Iannetta; Anastasia Tampakaki; Dimitrios Savvas. Impact of rhizobial inoculation and reduced N supply on biomass production and biological N2fixation in common bean grown hydroponically. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 2017, 97, 4353 -4361.
AMA StyleCharis-Konstantina Kontopoulou, Epifanios Liasis, Pietro Iannetta, Anastasia Tampakaki, Dimitrios Savvas. Impact of rhizobial inoculation and reduced N supply on biomass production and biological N2fixation in common bean grown hydroponically. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 2017; 97 (13):4353-4361.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCharis-Konstantina Kontopoulou; Epifanios Liasis; Pietro Iannetta; Anastasia Tampakaki; Dimitrios Savvas. 2017. "Impact of rhizobial inoculation and reduced N supply on biomass production and biological N2fixation in common bean grown hydroponically." Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 97, no. 13: 4353-4361.
There is increasing pressure on the agricultural industry to maintain or increase production of high‐quality food while maintaining long‐term environmental sustainability. and policies and practices have been developed and implemented in an attempt to improve the sustainability and efficiency of arable farming and satisfy these potentially conflicting requirements. However, to the authors' knowledge, there has been no attempt to quantify whether new interventions have the desired effect on improving sustainability at a whole‐systems level. Most studies focus on one, or a few, elements of a specific system and therefore fail to account for trade‐offs and conflicts between the many different interacting components. Here, we propose a whole‐systems approach based on a suite of indicators for a complete and holistic assessment of the efficacy of policies to improve economic, environmental, and ecological sustainability.
C. Hawes; G. S. Begg; P. P. M. Iannetta; A. J. Karley; G. R. Squire. A whole‐systems approach for assessing measures to improve arable ecosystem sustainability. Ecosystem Health and Sustainability 2016, 2, e01252 .
AMA StyleC. Hawes, G. S. Begg, P. P. M. Iannetta, A. J. Karley, G. R. Squire. A whole‐systems approach for assessing measures to improve arable ecosystem sustainability. Ecosystem Health and Sustainability. 2016; 2 (12):e01252.
Chicago/Turabian StyleC. Hawes; G. S. Begg; P. P. M. Iannetta; A. J. Karley; G. R. Squire. 2016. "A whole‐systems approach for assessing measures to improve arable ecosystem sustainability." Ecosystem Health and Sustainability 2, no. 12: e01252.
The potential of biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) to provide sufficient N for production have encouraged re-appraisal of cropping systems that deploy legumes. It has been argued that legume-derived N can maintain productivity as an alternative to the application of mineral fertiliser, although few studies have systematically evaluated the effect of optimising the balance between legumes and non N-fixing crops to optimise production. In addition, the shortage, or even absence in some regions, of measurements of BNF in crops and forages severely limits the ability to design and evaluate new, legume–based agroecosystems. To provide an indication of the magnitude of BNF in European agriculture, a soil-surface N-balance approach was applied to historical data from 8 experimental cropping systems that compared legume and non-legume crop types (e.g. grains, forages and intercrops) across pedoclimatic regions of Europe. Mean BNF for different legume types ranged from 32-115 kg ha-1 annually. Output in terms of total biomass (grain, forage, etc.) was 30% greater in non-legumes, which used N to produce dry matter more efficiently than legumes, whereas output of N was greater from legumes. When examined over the crop sequence, the contribution of BNF to the N-balance increased to reach a maximum when the legume fraction was around 0.5 (legume crops were present in half the years). BNF was lower when the legume fraction increased to 0.6-0.8, not because of any feature of the legume, but because the cropping systems in this range were dominated by mixtures of legume and non-legume forages to which inorganic N as fertiliser was normally applied. Forage (e.g. grass and clover), as opposed to grain crops in this range maintained high outputs of biomass and N. In conclusion, BNF through grain and forage legumes have the potential to generate major benefit in terms of reducing or dispensing with the need for mineral N without loss of total output.
Pietro P. M. Iannetta; Mark Young; Johann Bachinger; Göran Bergkvist; Jordi Doltra; Rafael J. Lopez-Bellido; Michele Monti; Valentini A. Pappa; Moritz Reckling; Cairistiona Topp; Robin Walker; Robert Rees; Christine Watson; Euan James; Geoffrey R. Squire; Graham S. Begg. A Comparative Nitrogen Balance and Productivity Analysis of Legume and Non-legume Supported Cropping Systems: The Potential Role of Biological Nitrogen Fixation. Frontiers in Plant Science 2016, 7, 1700 .
AMA StylePietro P. M. Iannetta, Mark Young, Johann Bachinger, Göran Bergkvist, Jordi Doltra, Rafael J. Lopez-Bellido, Michele Monti, Valentini A. Pappa, Moritz Reckling, Cairistiona Topp, Robin Walker, Robert Rees, Christine Watson, Euan James, Geoffrey R. Squire, Graham S. Begg. A Comparative Nitrogen Balance and Productivity Analysis of Legume and Non-legume Supported Cropping Systems: The Potential Role of Biological Nitrogen Fixation. Frontiers in Plant Science. 2016; 7 ():1700.
Chicago/Turabian StylePietro P. M. Iannetta; Mark Young; Johann Bachinger; Göran Bergkvist; Jordi Doltra; Rafael J. Lopez-Bellido; Michele Monti; Valentini A. Pappa; Moritz Reckling; Cairistiona Topp; Robin Walker; Robert Rees; Christine Watson; Euan James; Geoffrey R. Squire; Graham S. Begg. 2016. "A Comparative Nitrogen Balance and Productivity Analysis of Legume and Non-legume Supported Cropping Systems: The Potential Role of Biological Nitrogen Fixation." Frontiers in Plant Science 7, no. : 1700.
Root nodule bacteria were isolated from nodules on Mimosa pudica L. growing in neutral-alkaline soils from the Distrito Federal in Central Brazil. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of ten strains placed them into the genus Rhizobium with the closest neighbouring species (each with 99% similarity) being R. grahamii, R. cauense, R. mesoamericanum and R. tibeticum. This high similarity, however, was not confirmed by multi locus sequence analysis (MLSA) using three housekeeping genes (recA, glnII and rpoB), which revealed R. mesoamericanum strain CCGE 501T to be the closest type strain (92% sequence similarity or less). Chemotaxonomic data, including fatty acid profiles (with majority being C 19:0 cyclo w8c and Summed Feature 8 (C18:1 w6c), DNA G+C content (57.6% mol), and carbon compound utilization patterns supported the placement of the novel strains in the genus Rhizobium. Results of Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI) differentiated the novel strains from the closest Rhizobium species, R. mesoamericanum, R. grahamii and R. tibeticum with 89.0, 88.1 and 87.8% similarity, respectively. The symbiotic genes essential for nodulation (nodC) and nitrogen fixation (nifH) were most similar (99-100%) to those of R. mesoamericanum, another Mimosa-nodulating species. Based on the current data, these ten strains represent a novel species for which the name Rhizobium altiplani sp. nov. (BR 10423T = HAMBI 3664T) is proposed.
Alexandre C. Baraúna; Luc F. M. Rouws; Jean L. Simoes-Araujo; Fábio B. Dos Reis Junior; Pietro Iannetta; Marta Maluk; Silvia R. Goi; Veronica M. Reis; Euan James; Jerri E. Zilli. Rhizobium altiplani sp. nov., isolated from effective nodules on Mimosa pudica growing in untypically alkaline soil in central Brazil. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 2016, 66, 4118 -4124.
AMA StyleAlexandre C. Baraúna, Luc F. M. Rouws, Jean L. Simoes-Araujo, Fábio B. Dos Reis Junior, Pietro Iannetta, Marta Maluk, Silvia R. Goi, Veronica M. Reis, Euan James, Jerri E. Zilli. Rhizobium altiplani sp. nov., isolated from effective nodules on Mimosa pudica growing in untypically alkaline soil in central Brazil. International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology. 2016; 66 (10):4118-4124.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAlexandre C. Baraúna; Luc F. M. Rouws; Jean L. Simoes-Araujo; Fábio B. Dos Reis Junior; Pietro Iannetta; Marta Maluk; Silvia R. Goi; Veronica M. Reis; Euan James; Jerri E. Zilli. 2016. "Rhizobium altiplani sp. nov., isolated from effective nodules on Mimosa pudica growing in untypically alkaline soil in central Brazil." International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology 66, no. 10: 4118-4124.
C.K. Kontopoulou; S. Giagkou; E. Stathi; Dimitrios Savvas; Pietro Iannetta. Responses of hydroponically-grown common bean to N-starvation combined by root inoculation with N2-fixing bacteria. Acta Horticulturae 2016, 31 -36.
AMA StyleC.K. Kontopoulou, S. Giagkou, E. Stathi, Dimitrios Savvas, Pietro Iannetta. Responses of hydroponically-grown common bean to N-starvation combined by root inoculation with N2-fixing bacteria. Acta Horticulturae. 2016; (1142):31-36.
Chicago/Turabian StyleC.K. Kontopoulou; S. Giagkou; E. Stathi; Dimitrios Savvas; Pietro Iannetta. 2016. "Responses of hydroponically-grown common bean to N-starvation combined by root inoculation with N2-fixing bacteria." Acta Horticulturae , no. 1142: 31-36.
Legumes such as soybean, peas and lupin have attracted considerable interest as potential sources of protein to replace finite and limiting supplies of marine fishmeal (FM) as major ingredients for aquafeeds. In this respect, faba beans (Vicia faba) represent a widespread and relatively unexploited legume crop in Europe with potentially favourable characteristics. However, for carnivorous species such as Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), protein levels in legumes are generally too low and require to be concentrated to be direct replacements for FM. Previously we showed that a faba bean protein concentrate, produced by air classification, containing 55% protein could partially replace FM and/or soy protein concentrate (SPC) in feeds for parr and post-smolt salmon. In the present study, a faba bean protein isolate (BPI), produced by a wet process, with almost ~ 80% crude protein was investigated in feeds for Atlantic salmon in seawater. Four dietary treatments were tested including one with high inclusion of FM (400 g kg− 1) and three with low FM (216 g kg− 1) and increasing inclusions of BPI (0, 70 and 140 g kg− 1) substituting for SPC (236, 125 and 45 g kg− 1). Growth performance in fish was unaffected with the lower level of dietary BPI, but was reduced in fish fed the higher level, mainly due to feed intake being reduced initially. Histological analysis of the distal intestine showed inflammation in fish fed both diets containing BPI, but especially at 140 g kg− 1. The high dietary level of BPI affected the transcriptome of pyloric caeca with almost 2000 differentially expressed genes (DEG) compared to fish fed FM, whereas fish fed SPC or the lower level of BPI showed no DEG compared to fish fed FM. In contrast, the liver transcriptome was generally affected similarly by both BPI and SPC. The combined data suggested that the BPI utilised contained a factor that was detrimental above a certain threshold and, although this factor could be an artefact of the protein isolation method, an effect of a known ANF could not be excluded with saponin the most likely candidate. Overall, however, the results of the present study confirmed that protein concentrates or isolates derived from faba beans can replace FM and/or SPC up to a certain level in feeds for Atlantic salmon. A study testing novel raw materials for fish feed.
C. De Santis; S.A.M. Martin; C.E. Dehler; P.P.M. Iannetta; D. Leeming; D.R. Tocher. Influence of dietary inclusion of a wet processed faba bean protein isolate on post-smolt Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ). Aquaculture 2016, 465, 124 -133.
AMA StyleC. De Santis, S.A.M. Martin, C.E. Dehler, P.P.M. Iannetta, D. Leeming, D.R. Tocher. Influence of dietary inclusion of a wet processed faba bean protein isolate on post-smolt Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ). Aquaculture. 2016; 465 ():124-133.
Chicago/Turabian StyleC. De Santis; S.A.M. Martin; C.E. Dehler; P.P.M. Iannetta; D. Leeming; D.R. Tocher. 2016. "Influence of dietary inclusion of a wet processed faba bean protein isolate on post-smolt Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar )." Aquaculture 465, no. : 124-133.
To date, few attempts have been made to assess the impact of Rhizobium inoculation on N2 fixation and plant yield in soilless cultivations of common bean. In the present study, common bean (P. vulgaris L.) grown on an inert medium (pumice) was inoculated with either Rhizobium tropici CIAT899 or a commercial product containing a mix of N2-fixing bacteria, specifically rhizobia, and Azotobacter sp. The plants treated with both inoculants were supplied with nitrogen (N)-free (0% N) nutrient solution (NS) throughout the cropping period. A third treatment with non-inoculated plants, which were supplied with a standard (100% N) NS was applied as a control. Inoculation with R. tropici significantly increased the total number of root nodules (80 nodules per plant on average) in comparison with the other two treatments (nine nodules per plant on average). The supply of N-free NS restricted markedly both total plant biomass and pod yield, whereas the inoculation with R. tropici mitigated this effect. The aboveground tissues of plants fed with N-free NS contained appreciably less N than those fed with standard solution when they were inoculated with the commercial inoculant (1.7 vs. 29 mg·g−1 dry weight, respectively). The shoot total N concentration 45, 65, and 90 days after transplanting (32, 31, and 29 mg·g−1 dry weight, respectively) was not reduced by the supply of N-free NS when the plants were inoculated with R. tropici. This finding indicates that, at least from the first sampling date onward, the tissue N level was not a limiting factor for growth and yield in plants inoculated with R. tropici. The supply of N-free NS restricted appreciably the potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and zinc (Zn) levels in the aboveground plant biomass, regardless of inoculation treatment. The impaired growth and yield in plants fed with N-free NS and inoculated with R. tropici is ascribed to both a N shortage at early growth stages and a reduced K+ uptake aimed at electrochemically balancing the anion-to-cation uptake ratio under conditions of no external NO3– supply.
Charis-Konstantina Kontopoulou; Sofia Giagkou; Efthalia Stathi; Dimitrios Savvas; Pietro Iannetta. Responses of Hydroponically Grown Common Bean Fed with Nitrogen-free Nutrient Solution to Root Inoculation with N2-fixing Bacteria. HortScience 2015, 50, 597 -602.
AMA StyleCharis-Konstantina Kontopoulou, Sofia Giagkou, Efthalia Stathi, Dimitrios Savvas, Pietro Iannetta. Responses of Hydroponically Grown Common Bean Fed with Nitrogen-free Nutrient Solution to Root Inoculation with N2-fixing Bacteria. HortScience. 2015; 50 (4):597-602.
Chicago/Turabian StyleCharis-Konstantina Kontopoulou; Sofia Giagkou; Efthalia Stathi; Dimitrios Savvas; Pietro Iannetta. 2015. "Responses of Hydroponically Grown Common Bean Fed with Nitrogen-free Nutrient Solution to Root Inoculation with N2-fixing Bacteria." HortScience 50, no. 4: 597-602.
Intercropping is a farming practice involving two or more crop species, or genotypes, growing together and coexisting for a time. On the fringes of modern intensive agriculture, intercropping is important in many subsistence or low‐input/resource‐limited agricultural systems. By allowing genuine yield gains without increased inputs, or greater stability of yield with decreased inputs, intercropping could be one route to delivering ‘sustainable intensification’. We discuss how recent knowledge from agronomy, plant physiology and ecology can be combined with the aim of improving intercropping systems. Recent advances in agronomy and plant physiology include better understanding of the mechanisms of interactions between crop genotypes and species – for example, enhanced resource availability through niche complementarity. Ecological advances include better understanding of the context‐dependency of interactions, the mechanisms behind disease and pest avoidance, the links between above‐ and below‐ground systems, and the role of microtopographic variation in coexistence. This improved understanding can guide approaches for improving intercropping systems, including breeding crops for intercropping. Although such advances can help to improve intercropping systems, we suggest that other topics also need addressing. These include better assessment of the wider benefits of intercropping in terms of multiple ecosystem services, collaboration with agricultural engineering, and more effective interdisciplinary research.
Rob W. Brooker; Alison E. Bennett; Wen-Feng Cong; Tim J. Daniell; Timothy S. George; Paul Hallett; Cathy Hawes; Pietro P. M. Iannetta; Hamlyn G. Jones; Alison J. Karley; Long Li; Blair M. McKenzie; Robin J. Pakeman; Eric Paterson; Christian Schöb; Jianbo Shen; Geoff Squire; Christine Watson; Chaochun Zhang; Fusuo Zhang; Junling Zhang; Philip White. Improving intercropping: a synthesis of research in agronomy, plant physiology and ecology. New Phytologist 2014, 206, 107 -117.
AMA StyleRob W. Brooker, Alison E. Bennett, Wen-Feng Cong, Tim J. Daniell, Timothy S. George, Paul Hallett, Cathy Hawes, Pietro P. M. Iannetta, Hamlyn G. Jones, Alison J. Karley, Long Li, Blair M. McKenzie, Robin J. Pakeman, Eric Paterson, Christian Schöb, Jianbo Shen, Geoff Squire, Christine Watson, Chaochun Zhang, Fusuo Zhang, Junling Zhang, Philip White. Improving intercropping: a synthesis of research in agronomy, plant physiology and ecology. New Phytologist. 2014; 206 (1):107-117.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRob W. Brooker; Alison E. Bennett; Wen-Feng Cong; Tim J. Daniell; Timothy S. George; Paul Hallett; Cathy Hawes; Pietro P. M. Iannetta; Hamlyn G. Jones; Alison J. Karley; Long Li; Blair M. McKenzie; Robin J. Pakeman; Eric Paterson; Christian Schöb; Jianbo Shen; Geoff Squire; Christine Watson; Chaochun Zhang; Fusuo Zhang; Junling Zhang; Philip White. 2014. "Improving intercropping: a synthesis of research in agronomy, plant physiology and ecology." New Phytologist 206, no. 1: 107-117.