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Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.) is an important legume cultivated mainly in regions with limited water availability across the African and American continents. Its productivity is significantly affected by environmental stresses. Thaumatin-like proteins (TLPs), which belong to the PR-5 (pathogenesis-related 5) protein family, are known to be responsive to both biotic and abiotic stresses. However, their role remains controversial, with some TLPs associated with plant defense (particularly against fungal infections) and others associated with abiotic stresses response. In this study, we evaluated the structural diversity and gene expression of TLPs in cowpea (VuTLPs) under different stress conditions, including biotic [mechanical injury followed by inoculation with Cowpea Aphid-borne Mosaic Virus (CABMV) or Cowpea Severe Mosaic Virus (CPSMV)] and abiotic (root dehydration). Genomic anchoring of VuTLPs revealed 34 loci encoding these proteins. Neighbor- joining analysis clustered the VuTLPs into three distinct groups. We identified 15 segmental duplication and 6 tandem duplication gene pairs, with the majority of VuTLP genes found to be under purifying selection. Promoter analysis associated VuTLPs with bHLH, Dof-type, and MYB- related transcription factors, supporting their diverse roles. Diversity in VuTLP function was also observed in their expression profiles under the studied stress conditions. Gene expression data showed that most VuTLPs are recruited within the first minutes after biotic stress imposition. For the root dehydration assay, the most transcripts were up-regulated 150 min post-stress. Moreover, the gene expression data suggested that VuTLPs exhibit functional specialization depending on the stress condition, highlighting their diverse roles and biotechnological potential.

The genus Vigna Savi (Leguminosae Juss.) comprises approximately 150 species, classified into five subgenera, most of which exhibit a diploid chromosome number of 2n = 22. However, the wild species Vigna lasiocarpa (Benth) Verdc. (V. subg. Lasiospron) is notable for its dysploid chromosome number of 2n = 20. This study aimed to elucidate the chromosomal events involved in the karyotype evolution of V. lasiocarpa (Vla). We used oligopainting probes from chromosomes 1, 2, 3, and 5 of Phaseolus vulgaris L. and two barcode probes from the genome of V. unguiculata (L.) Walp. Additionally, bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) from V. unguiculata and P. vulgaris, along with a telomeric probe from Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh., were hybridized to V. lasiocarpa metaphase chromosomes to characterize Vla3, Vla7/5, and Vla9. Our findings revealed conserved oligo-FISH patterns on chromosomes 2, 6, 8, 10, and 11 between V. unguiculata and V. lasiocarpa. Paracentric and pericentric inversions were identified for Vla3 and Vla9, respectively. Our integrative approach revealed that the dysploid chromosome originated from an “end-to-end fusion” of homoeologous chromosomes 5 and 7. This is the first report on the chromosomal mechanisms underlying descending dysploidy in Vigna, providing new insights into the evolutionary dynamics of the genus.

Soil microbial communities represent the largest biodiversity on Earth, holding an important role in promoting plant growth and productivity. However, the knowledge about how soil factors modulate the bacteria community structure and distribution in tropical regions remain poorly understood, mainly in different cowpea producing ecoregions belonging to Northeastern Brazil. This study addressed the bacterial community along three different ecoregions (Mata, Sertão, and Agreste) through the16S rRNA gene sequencing. The results showed that soil factors, such as Al 3+ , sand, Na + , cation exchange excel, and total organic C, influenced the bacterial community and could be a predictor of the distinct performance of cowpea production. Also, the bacterial community changed between different ecoregions, and some keystone groups related to plant-growth promotion, such as Bradyrhizobium, Bacillales, Rhizobiales, and Solibacillus, were correlated to cowpea yield, so revealing that the soil microbiome has a primordial role in plant productivity. Here, we provide evidence that bacterial groups related to nutrient cycling can help us to increase cowpea efficiency and we suggest that a better microbiome knowledge can contribute to improving the agricultural performance.

The productivity of beans is greatly influenced by the different edaphoclimatic conditions in the Agreste-Sertão region, requiring the identification of adapted and stable genotypes to minimize the effects of the interaction between genotypes per environments (GxE). The objective of this work was to analyze the adaptability and stability of carioca bean pre-cultivars in three municipalities in the Agreste-Sertão of Pernambuco using the AMMI model in its Bayesian version BAMMI and compare the results with the frequentist approach. According to the results, the BAMMI analysis showed better predictive capacity, as well as better performance in the study of adaptability and stability. The cultivar BRS Notável stood out in terms of main effect and stability. Adaptability of genotypes to specific locations was also observed, enabling the use of the positive effect of the GxE interaction, which was more evident with the BAMMI model. From this work, the flexibility of BAMMI model to deal with data resulting from multi-environmental experiments can be seen, overcoming limitations of the standard analysis of the AMMI model.

Cytogenomic resources have accelerated synteny and chromosome evolution studies in plant species, including legumes. Here, we established the first cytogenetic map of V. angularis (Va, subgenus Ceratotropis) and compared this new map with those of V. unguiculata (Vu, subgenus Vigna) and P. vulgaris (Pv) by BAC-FISH and oligopainting approaches. We mapped 19 Vu BACs and 35S rDNA probes to the 11 chromosome pairs of Va, Vu, and Pv. Vigna angularis shared a high degree of macrosynteny with Vu and Pv, with five conserved syntenic chromosomes. Additionally, we developed two oligo probes (Pv2 and Pv3) used to paint Vigna orthologous chromosomes. We confirmed two reciprocal translocations (chromosomes 2 and 3 and 1 and 8) that have occurred after the Vigna and Phaseolus divergence (~9.7 Mya). Besides, two inversions (2 and 4) and one translocation (1 and 5) have occurred after Vigna and Ceratotropis subgenera separation (~3.6 Mya). We also observed distinct oligopainting patterns for chromosomes 2 and 3 of Vigna species. Both Vigna species shared similar major rearrangements compared to Pv: one translocation (2 and 3) and one inversion (chromosome 3). The sequence synteny identified additional inversions and/or intrachromosomal translocations involving pericentromeric regions of both orthologous chromosomes. We propose chromosomes 2 and 3 as hotspots for chromosomal rearrangements and de novo centromere formation within and between Vigna and Phaseolus. Our BAC- and oligo-FISH mapping contributed to physically trace the chromosome evolution of Vigna and Phaseolus and its application in further studies of both genera.

In northeast Brazil, the cactus Opuntia ficus-indica is a key species for feeding livestock. However, productivity has been reduced by the cochineal scale Dactylopius opuntiae. Fusarium incarnatum-equiseti species complex (FIESC) strains obtained from D. opuntiae show potential as biological control agents. Furthermore, the insecticidal action of entomopathogenic fungi can be enhanced when used in conjunction with insecticides of plant origin. This study aimed to verify the insecticidal action of extracts of Ricinus communis and Poincianella pyramidalis separately and in combination with FIESC isolates against D. opuntiae. We evaluated the compatibility of FIESC 20-b isolates with aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts of R. communis and P. pyramidalis at w/v concentrations of 5, 10 and 20 %. The treatments used in the four bioassays against D. opuntiae were selected using the Biological Index model. The aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts of R. communis and P. pyramidalis were compatible with some FIESC 20-b isolates. The corrected mortality values at different bioassays ranged from 61.23 to 100 %. The insecticide action resulting from the combination of the URM6778 isolate with aqueous extract of R. communis was the highest, producing 100 % mortality on D. opuntiae. Our results indicate FIESC 20-b isolates and extracts of R. communis and P. pyramidalis are promising control agents for D. opuntiae, a low-cost technology and environmentally friendly.

Using genotypes adapted to different regions is one of the main ways to increase Brazilian bean yield. The aim of the present study was to assess the genotypic performance of Carioca beans through mixed models. Fourteen Carioca bean genotypes were assessed in four locations in Pernambuco State (Arcoverde, Caruaru, Belém de São Francisco and São João counties) in 2015. The experiments followed a completely randomized block design, with three repetitions. Genetic parameters were estimated according to the REML/BLUP methodology, whereas genotype selection was based on the harmonic mean of relative performance of genetic values method (MHPRVG). The mean genotype heritability had moderate magnitude, high selective accuracy, besides allowing selection of agronomically superior individuals. Genotypes ?BRS Notável?, CNFC 15480 and ?IPR 139? showed good adaptability and grain yield stability. There was agreement among the statistics (u + g), stability (MHVG), adaptability (PRVG), and stability and adaptability of genetic values (MHPRVG) in the discrimination of the most productive genotypes, which presented high adaptability and stability. This outcome indicated that these genotypes can be part of the selection criteria regularly used in bean breeding programs.

‘BRS FS307’ is a common bean cultivar with mulatto grain developed for the Northeast of Brazil. Presents the following characteristics: cycle semiearly, yield potential of 4.145 kg ha-1 and a mean yield of 2.703 kg ha-1, i.e., 13.9% higher than that of the control cultivars (BRS Marfim and BRS Agreste).

Abstract We characterized 12 Solanum species using CMA/DAPI banding and/or genome size estimation (1C value) within a phylogenetic perspective. Here, we reported new Constitutive Heterochromatic (CH) data for S. andreanum, S. peruvianum and S. paludosum and new 1C value for S. corneliomulleri and S. andreanum. CH ranged from two (S. viarum) to 42 bands (S. paludosum). Potato species exhibited a higher number of CH blocks, whereas Leptostemonum species generally had fewer blocks, except for S. paludosum. However, no relationship between heterochromatin and evolutive diversification within the genus could be inferred. Mean 1C value varied from 1.0 pg in S. melongena (diploid) to 1.80 pg in S. laciniatum (octaploid), with moderate correlation (r = 0.69) with the ploidy level of the species. Our data contribute to understanding genetic and cytogenetic diversification within Solanum in a phylogenetic context and are relevant to species characterization, supporting future genetic breeding programs of the genus.

BRS FC402 is a common bean cultivar of the carioca-grain group with commercial grain quality, suitable for cultivation in 21 Brazilian states. Cultivar has a normal cycle (85-94 days), high yield potential (4479 kg ha-1), 10.1% higher mean yield than the controls (2462 kg ha-1) and resistance to fusarium wilt and anthracnose.