Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Mucuna pruriens'

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES
Mucuna pruriens (MP) has demonstrated the ability to increase spermatogenesis and testicular weight in animal model and therefore came to be marketed with the promise of stimulating testosterone biosynthesis even without scientific proof. Thus, this study aimed to test the ability of MP on synthesis of testosterone and verify effects on lipid profile, oxidative stress, liver function and body composition in trained rats. It was produced flour and alcoholic extract of MP, which had nutritional composition evaluated. Wistar rats (n=35) were used to test anabolic activity of MP. They were randomized into control sedentary (CS), trained control (CT), sedentary supplemented with MP (MPS), and trained supplemented with MP (MPT). Trained animals performed resistance exercise protocol during ten weeks and supplemented animals received 250 mg of extract of MP/kg/day. Food consumption and body weight were assessed weekly and weight of liver, testes and visceral fat, total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides (TG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH ), malondialdehyde (MDA) and animals body composition were measured by absorptiometry dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. MP extract showed 7.6 g of fat, 36 g of carbohydrate, 43.4 g of protein and minerals such as potassium, iron, phosphorus and calcium. Phytochemical analysis indicated the presence of antioxidants. Chronic supplementation of MP alone or associated with training did not affect biosynthesis of testosterone, testicular development, muscle damage and lipid peroxidation induced by training or body composition. Hepatic markers remained unchanged, but there was a reduction of HDL-C by 19.7% between CS and MPS, 15% between MPT and MPS and 19.9% between CT and MPS (p<0.05). However, also decreased the total cholesterol in 14.7% between CT and MPS (p<0.05), 6.1% between CT and MPT (p<0.01), VLDL-C in 7.9% between CS and CT and 14.9% between CT and MPS (p<0.05) and 55.1% between CT and MPT (p<0.01), TG 52.4% between MPT and CS (p<0.05), 62.5% between CT and MPT and 56.2% between CT and MPS (p<0.01) and visceral fat in 31.3% between CS and MPS, 28.2% between CS and CT (p<0.05), 33.1% between CS and MPT (p<0.01). Reduction in food consumption was observed only in trained groups from the fourth week until the end of treatment. It was concluded that chronic supplementation of MP associated with training did not show anabolic properties and reduced serum HDL-C, but decreased food intake, weight of visceral fat, total cholesterol, VLDL-C and TG.
A Mucuna pruriens (MP) tem demonstrado capacidade de aumentar espermatogênese e peso de testículos em modelo animal e por isso passou a ser comercializada com a promessa de estímulo à biossíntese de testosterona mesmo sem comprovação científica. Assim, este estudo objetivou testar a capacidade da MP sobre a produção de testosterona e verificar os efeitos no perfil lipídico, estresse oxidativo, função hepática e composição corporal em ratos submetidos a treinamento de resistência. Farinha e extrato hidroalcoólico do grão de MP foram produzidos e avaliados quanto à composição nutricional. Foram utilizados ratos Wistar (n=35) para testar atividade anabólica da MP, randomizados nos grupos controle sedentário (CS), controle treinado (CT), suplementado com MP sedentário (MPS) e treinado (MPT). Os grupos treinados realizaram exercício resistido durante dez semanas e os suplementados receberam 250 mg do extrato de MP/kg/dia. Foram avaliados consumo alimentar e peso corporal semanalmente; peso de fígado, testículos e gordura visceral, colesterol total e frações, triglicerídeos (TG), alanina aminotransferase (ALT), aspartato aminotransferase (AST), creatina quinase (CK), lactato desidrogenase (LDH), malondialdeído (MDA) e composição corporal por absortometria de feixe duplo de raios-x (DEXA). O extrato de MP apresentou 7,6 g de gordura, 36 g de carboidrato, 43,4g de proteína e minerais como potássio, ferro, fósforo e cálcio, além de antioxidantes. A suplementação crônica de MP isolada ou associada ao treinamento não alterou a biossíntese de testosterona, o desenvolvimento testicular, o dano muscular e a peroxidação lipídica induzidas pelo treinamento, nem a composição corporal dos animais. Marcadores hepáticos permaneceram inalterados, mas ocorreu redução do HDL-c em 19,7% entre CS e MPS, 15% entre MPT e MPS e 19,9% entre CT e MPS (p<0,05). Em contrapartida, também houve redução do colesterol total em 14,7% entre CT e MPS (p<0,05); 6,1% entre CT e MPT (p<0,01), VLDL-c em 7,9% entre CT e CS e 14,9% entre CT e MPS, (p<0,05); 55,1% entre CT e MPT (p<0,01), TG em 52,4% entre MPT e CS (p<0,05); 62,5% entre CT e MPT e 56,2% entre CT e MPS (p<0,01) e gordura visceral em 31,3% entre CS e MPS, 28,2% entre CS e CT (p<0,05); 33,1% entre CS e MPT (p<0,01). Redução no consumo alimentar foi observada somente nos grupos treinados a partir da quarta semana até o final do tratamento. Conclui-se que a suplementação crônica de MP associada ao treinamento não apresentou propriedade anabólica e reduziu a concentração sérica de HDL-c, mas causou diminuição no consumo alimentar, peso de gordura visceral, colesterol total, VLDL-c e TG.

This study examines the potential for increasing natural L-DOPA drug biosynthesis in Mucuna pruriens by silencing or “knocking down” expression of putative DOPA/tyrosine decarboxylase (Mp-ty/ddc) in situ. Mp-ty/ddc codes for DOPA/tyrosine decarboxylase (Mp-TY/DDC) which converts L-DOPA to dopamine in plants. The hypothesis of the work was that silencing the Mp-ty/ddc gene would result in accumulation of L-DOPA in the plant tissues. This work involved isolation and characterisation of 1.73 kb putative full-length ORF of Mp-ty/ddc. The gene showed 74% homology with TY/DDC protein alignments of other plants in the same taxa, although no enzyme activity was detected when the gene product was heterologously expressed. In addition, a protocol was developed for Agrobacterium mediated transformation of M. pruriens so as to be able to manipulate expression of the DOPA genes in situ. The cotyledonary nodal and hypocotyl tip explants regenerated shoots on M.S media supplemented with 50 μM BA, 0.5 μM NAA and 50 mg l-1 kanamycin selection also the nptII transgene was detected by PCR. The Agrobacteria strains GV3101 harbouring a pGREEN vector and carrying an Mp-ty/ddc antisense were used for the plant transformation experiments. Further work showed that the Mp-ty/ddc gene copy number was 1, the gene expression was highest in roots and stems, followed by seeds and was very low in leaves. On the other hand, L-DOPA-content in seeds was 17-fold higher relative to leaves and 15 fold relative to stems and roots.

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Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
A busca de novas alternativas visando o controle de fitonematóides em substituição aos nematicidas convencionais é, hoje, uma preocupação mundial. A utilização de extratos botânicos e a incorporação de plantas ou parte delas têm sido estudadas por pesquisadores em todo o mundo como uma destas alternativas. Diversas espécies do gênero Mucuna têm sido bastante utilizadas no Brasil, seja em programas de adubação verde, seja na redução da população de nematóides em áreas cultivadas. Além disso, algumas substâncias isoladas de mucuna preta (Mucuna pruriens var. utilis) apresentaram atividade nematicida contra M. incognita e Heterodera glycines. Desta forma, objetivou-se neste trabalho verificar a eficácia de extratos aquosos de folhas e de sementes de mucuna preta, aplicados via pulverização foliar, tratamento de sementes ou diretamente ao solo, e também o efeito da incorporação de diferentes quantidades do material vegetal seco da leguminosa sobre a população de M. javanica e M. incognita, em raízes de tomateiro. Na primeira parte do trabalho, os extratos vegetais foram preparados através da mistura das folhas secas ou das sementes de mucuna com água destilada, na proporção 1:10 (m:v), procedendo-se à trituração do material após 24 horas da mistura. Finalmente, os extratos foram filtrados em papel Whatman N 0 1 e utilizados logo em seguida. Nos três ensaios, as avaliações foram realizadas 60 dias após a infestação do solo e transplantio das mudas de tomateiro, quando se mensuraram as seguintes variáveis: altura e peso da parte aérea das plantas e o número de galhas e de ovos presentes no sistema radicular das plantas. No primeiro ensaio, extratos de folhas e de sementes de mucuna, de folhas de manjericão (Ocimum basilicum L.) e água foram pulverizados em plantas de tomate aos 0, 7 e 14 dias após a infestação do solo com ovos de M. incognita e M. javanica. No segundo ensaio, sementes de tomateiro foram tratadas com água ou com os extratos de folhas ou de sementes de mucuna e as mudas originadas destas sementes foram transplantadas em solo infestado com M. incognita e M. javanica. No terceiro ensaio, os extratos de mucuna foram adicionados ao solo aos 0, 7 e 14 dias da infestação deste com ovos das duas espécies de nematóides. A pulverização dos três extratos reduziu o número de galhas de M. incognita em raízes de tomateiro, em relação à testemunha, mas o tratamento de sementes com os extratos não afetou significativamente a altura e massa da parte aérea das plantas, assim como o número de ovos e galhas de M. incognita ou M. javanica. Apenas o número de ovos de M. javanica foi reduzido pela adição dos extratos de sementes de mucuna ao solo. A parte aérea seca e picada de mucuna preta ou de tomateiro (0, 2, 4, 6 e 8 g por vaso) foi adicionada a vasos de argila de 0,6 litro de capacidade, infestados com 2000 ovos de M. incognita ou M. javanica, visando estudar o efeito da matéria orgânica de uma planta antagonista e de uma boa hospedeira no controle desses nematóides. Sessenta dias após a infestação do solo, foi realizada a avaliação da altura e peso da parte aérea das plantas, além do número de galhas e de ovos presentes no sistema radicular destas plantas. A incorporação ao solo da parte aérea de mucuna preta ou tomate, independente da quantidade utilizada, não afetou a altura e o peso da parte aérea das plantas inoculadas com M. incognita e M. javanica. A adição de matéria orgânica de mucuna preta ao solo, a partir de 2 g/vaso, reduziu o número de galhas das duas espécies de nematóides, sendo que nas parcelas infestadas com M. incognita, as duas maiores doses promoveram maior efeito. A incorporação do material vegetal seco de mucuna, nas doses de 6 e 8 g/vaso, influenciou negativamente a reprodução de ambas as espécies de nematóides. Não foi observado nenhum efeito significativo na redução do número de galhas e de ovos de M. incognita e M. javanica nas parcelas nas quais foram adicionados os materiais vegetais de tomateiro. Esse trabalho confirma que a utilização de extratos e/ou matéria orgânica de mucuna preta e outras plantas pode ser muito útil no manejo de nematóides.
The search for new alternatives to control nematodes, to replace the use of conventional nematicides is, today, a world concern. Several natural products obtained from different plant species with nematicidal or nematostatic properties have shown to be promising to be used in field conditions. Consequently, the use of botanical extracts and soil amendment with plant parts have deserved special attention by researchers, all over the world. Several species of Mucuna have been used in Brazil, not only as green manure but also to reduce nematode populations in cultivated areas. Some substances isolated from velvetbean (Mucuna pruriens var. utilis) have shown activity against M. incognita, Heterodera glycines and other nematodes. Thus, this study was conducted to verify the effectiveness of aqueous extracts of leaves and seeds of velvetbean; applied as foliar spray, seed treatment or directly in the soil, as well as the effect of soil amendment using that plant species on the control of M. javanica and M. incognita. First, the botanical extracts were prepared through the mixture of the dry leaves or seeds with distilled water (1:10 w/v). The material was ground 24 hours later, filtered in Whatman paper and used right away. In all the three experiments, the evaluations were accomplished 60 days after soil infestation and the following parameters were evaluated: height and weight of the tops and the numbers of galls and eggs in the root systems. In the first assay, the extracts of leaves and seeds of velvetbean and of sweet basil leaves (Ocimum basilicum L.), used as control, were sprayed on tomato plants at 0, 7 and 14 days after soil infestation with M. incognita and M. javanica eggs. In the second assay, tomato seeds were treated with velvetbean extracts (from seeds and leaves) and the seedlings resulting from them were transplanted in soil infested with M. incognita and M. javanica. In the third assay, velvetbean extracts were poured in the soil 0, 7 and 14 days after infestation with eggs of both nematodes species. The foliar application of the three extracts reduced the number of galls of M. incognita in the root system of tomatoes as compared to the control, but the seed treatment with the extracts did not affect any parameter. Only the number of eggs of M. javanica was reduced by the addition of velvetbean seed extract to the soil. In the studies involving soil amendment, dry aboveground plant parts of velvetbean (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 g) were added to clay pots (0,6 liter capacity) infested with 2000 eggs of M. incognita or M. javanica. A treatment using dry tomato tops was included in the experiment, in the same rates, to compare the effect of either type of organic amendment. Sixty days after soil infestation, the experiment was evaluated. The incorporation of velvetbean or tomato tops in the soil, independently of the amount used, did not affect the height and weight of the plants inoculated with M. incognita or M. javanica. Gall numbers were reduced for both nematode species, starting from 2 g/pot, and in the plots infested with M. incognita, the two larger rates of amendment promoted the best effect. The rates of 6 and 8 g/pot influenced the reproduction of both nematodes species negatively. No significant effect was observed in the reduction of the numbers of galls and eggs of M. incognita or M. javanica in the plots where tomato tops were used as soil amendment. This work corroborates others that show that the use of extracts and/or organic material from velvetbean and other plants can be very useful in nematode management.
Dissertação importada do Alexandria

Diabetes is currently a wide spread global disease. As a result of the side effects of the current therapies, herbal plants may present alternative source of drugs for management of the disease. Mucuna pruriens is a plant that is traditionally used for diabetes and anaemia. There are experimental reports of the hypoglycaemic effect of the alcoholic extracts but the anti-diabetic effects of the aqueous extract has not been investigated. Therefore, the aim of this project was to investigate the potential anti-diabetic mechanisms of the aqueous extract of Mucuna pruriens leaves. The leaf extract was prepared by decoction. The potential mechanisms of anti-diabetic effect of this extract was evaluated as follows: Antioxidant activity of the aqueous Mucuna pruriens leaf extract was investigated in reduced β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH)/phenazine methosulphate (PMS), and Xanthine /Xanthine oxidase superoxide generating systems. In addition, the effect of aqueous Mucuna pruriens leaf extract against oxidative stress was measured as cytoprotective effect of the extract against paraquat induced oxidant injury in NRK-52E renal cells. Cytoprotective effect was measured as cell viability and cell death using 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-Yl)-2,5 Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) and Lactose dehydrogenase (LDH) assays respectively. Finally the effect of aqueous Mucuna pruriens leaf extract on glucose uptake was evaluated in NRK-52E renal cells and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The results revealed that aqueous Mucuna pruriens leaf extract had significant superoxide scavenging activity which increased from 21.35% to 99.8% in xanthine/xanthine oxidase and 36.15% to 62.4% in NADH/PMS superoxide generating systems at p < 0.05. However, aqueous Mucuna pruriens leaf extract did not protect against paraquat induced oxidative stress. Data from glucose uptake experiments showed that 1mg/ml of aqueous Mucuna pruriens leaf extract inhibited glucose uptake in NRK-52E renal by 35.5% compared to control at p < 0.05. This effect was comparable to 1mM Phloridzin (a non- selective inhibitor of sodium glucose transporters). Finally, 50 and 100μg/ml of both aqueous Mucuna pruriens leaf extract and its acid hydrolysed fractions prepared with liquid-liquid partitioning in diethyl ether, stimulated glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Specifically, 50 and 100μg/ml aqueous Mucuna pruriens leaf extract stimulated glucose uptake be 57.06 and 86.24% respectively compared to negative control at p < 0.05. Increase in glucose uptake was also observed in cells treated with diethyl ether acid hydrolysed fractions. Taken together, the results show that aqueous the Mucuna pruriens leaf extract used in this study may exert anti-diabetic effects via antioxidant and glucose uptake modulatory mechanisms.

Thesis (PhD(Agric) (Agronomy))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Continuous cropping without replenishing the nutrient component of soils will eventually lead to the depletion of soil nutrients. Small scale farmers in Zimbabwe often do not have the financial means to buy fertilizer and this problem is exacerbated by scarcity of commodities such as fertilizers. The use of herbaceous legumes such as mucuna (Mucuna pruriens) can assist to recapitalize soil fertility depletion and improve subsequent maize productivity in sandy loam soils in the small holder farming sector of Zimbabwe. In this study the effect of phosphorus (P) application to a mucuna crop, the effect of mucuna management options and the application of nitrogen (N) to the subsequent maize crop was investigated. The experiment was carried out during the 2007 to 2009 seasons at the Grasslands Research Station in Marondera in Zimbabwe. The soils are classified as humic ferrolsols and are predominantly of the kaolinitic order with sandy loams of low fertility and are slightly acid (pH CaCl = 5.2). A randomized complete block design was used for the effect of P on mucuna productivity and the effect of P and mucuna management options on the soil properties. The treatments were two P rates (P0 and P40 = 0 kg P ha-1 and 40 kg P ha-1 respectively) applied to a preceding mucuna crop, four mucuna management options [1) fallow (F) (no mucuna planted = control), 2) mucuna ploughed-in at flowering (MF), 3) all mucuna above ground biomass removed at maturity and only roots were ploughed-in (MAR) and 4) mucuna pods removed and the residues ploughed-in (MPR)]. A split-plot design was used to study the effect of P application to mucuna, mucuna management options and N rates on the growth and yield of the subsequent maize crop. The four N treatments [N0 = 0 kg N ha-1, N40 = 40 kg N ha-1, N80 = 80 kg N ha-1 and iv N120 = 120 kg N ha-1] were applied to a subsequent maize crop. Growth and development parameters such as biomass production, leaf area index, nutrient content of the foliage and grain yield were determined in the mucuna and maize crops. Soil parameters investigated included nutrient content, pH, bulk density and porosity. Phosphorus application in these particular soil conditions positively influenced mucuna biomass production and therefore enhanced the role of mucuna as a rotational crop by increased positive effects on the subsequent maize crop. The incorporation of above-ground biomass of mucuna had positive effects on all soil properties investigated. The MF and MPR management options increased the soil organic matter (OM) and reduced bulk density which leads to an improvement in porosity (f) of the soil. Mucuna incorporated at flowering (MF) and P40 treatment combination resulted in the highest mineral N, P, potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) levels. A significant three-way interaction (P<0.05) between mucuna management options, nitrogen rates and time was observed in terms of biomass production and all nutrients in the leaves of the subsequent maize crop. The main findings were that the MF management option had the highest biomass and foliar nutrient accumulation through-out all the treatment combinations. In general the MF management option gave the highest maize yield across all the treatment combinations. Incorporation of mucuna biomass into the soil prior to planting a maize crop therefore improve soil physical and chemical qualities resulting in improved soil conditions for a subsequent maize crop which in turn lead to higher maize yields. Including a mucuna rotational crop have a similar effect on maize yield than application of 80 kg ha-1 of fertilizer N.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Aanhoudende verbouing van gewasse op dieselfde grond sonder om voedingstowwe aan te vul lei uiteindelik tot die agteruitgang van die grond se vrugbaarheid. Kleinboere in Zimbabwe het meestal nie die finansiële vermoëns om bemestingstowwe te koop nie en die probleem word vererger deur die onbekombaarheid van kommoditeite soos bemestingstowwe. Die gebruik van kruidagtige peulplant gewasse soos mucuna (Mucuna pruriens) kan bydra om grondverarming teen te werk en om die produksie van ‗n daaropvolgende mielie aanplanting in sandleemgronde in ‗n kleinboerstelsel in Zimbabwe te verhoog. In hierdie studie is die invloed van fosfor (P) toediening aan ‗n mucuna aanplanting, die invloed van bestuursopsies van die mucuna en die toediening van stikstof (N) aan die daaropvolgende mielie aanplanting ondersoek. Die eksperiment is tydens die 2007 tot 2009 reënseisoen by die Grasslands Research Station in Marondera in Zimbabwe uitgevoer. Die grond word geklassifiseer as humiese ferrolsols en is hoofsaaklik sanderige leemgrond van die kaolinitiese orde met lae vrugbaarheid en is effens suur (pH CaCl = 5.2). ‘n Volledig ewekansige blokontwerp is gebruik om die invloed van P op die produktiwiteit van mucuna te bepaal asook die invloed van P toediening en mucuna bestuursopsies op grondeienskappe. Die behandelings was twee P vlakke (P0 = 0 kg P ha-1 en P40 = 40 kg P ha-1) wat aan ‗n voorafgaande mucuna aanplanting toegedien is, vier mucuna bestuursopsies [1) braak (F) (geen mucuna geplant = kontrole), 2) mucuna ingeploeg met blomtyd (MF), 3) alle bogrondse mucuna biomassa verwyder by rypwording en slegs wortels ingewerk (MAR) en 4) mucuna peule verwyde en die res van die bogrondse material ingeploeg (MPR)] en vier N behandelings [N0 = 0 kg N ha-1, N40 = 40 kg N ha-1, N80 = 80 kg N ha-1 en N120 = 120 kg N ha-1] toegedien aan ‗n daaropvolgende mielie aanplanting. Groei en ontwikkeling parameters soos biomassa produksie, blaaroppervlakindeks, nutriëntinhoud van die blare en graanopbrengs is in die mucuna en mielie aanplantings ondersoek. Grondeienskappe soos nutriëntinhoud, pH, bulkdigtheid en porositeit is gemeet. Fosfaat toediening aan hierdie spesifieke grondtipe het mucuna produksie positief beïnvloed en dus die rol van mucuna as rotasiegewas verbeter deur positiewe reaksies in die daaropvolgende mielie aanplanting. Die inwerk van bogrondse mucuna biomassa het al die fisiese grondeienskappe wat ondersoek is positief beïnvloed. Die MF en MPR bestuursopsies het organiese materiaal inhoud van die grond verhoog en bulkdigtheid verlaag wat lei tot verbeterde grondporeusheid (f). Mucuna wat tydens blomvorming ingewerk is (MF) lei tot die hoogste minerale N, P, kalium (K), kalsium (Ca) en magnesium (Mg) vlakke. ‗n Betekenisvolle drie-rigting interaksie (P < 0.05) tussen mucuna bestuursopsies, N vlakke en tyd is waargeneem in terme van biomassa produksie en in terme van al die nutriëntvlakke in die mielieblare wat ondersoek is. Die hoofbevindinge was dat die MF bestuursopsie die hoogste biomassa produksie en blaarnutriënt akkumulasie oor alle behandelingskombinasies tot gevolg gehad het. In die algemeen het die MF bestuursopsie die hoogste mielie-opbrengs oor alle behandelingskombinasies tot gevolg gehad. Die inwerk van mucuna materiaal in die grond voordat mielies geplant word verbeter dus fisiese en chemiese toestande in die grond wat grondtoestande verbeter vir die daaropvolgende miegewas en uiteindelik lei tot hoër mielie-oeste. Die insluiting van mucuna as ‘n rotasiegewas het diesefde effek op mielie-opbrengs as die toediening van 80 kg ha-1 N bemesting.

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)
Green manure is considered a viable and sustainable alternative to agricultural land. The positive highlight this practice results from the proof of the harmful effects of joint-soluble fertilizers with high oil costs and industrial fertilizers. Thus Leguminosae family has been the most used as green manure, as it brings many advantages for both the soil and to the plants. In this family there is the Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. (Leguminosae, Faboideae) species as one of the most used for this practice. However knowledge about their biology and especially in relation to aspects of floral biology and their pollinators about various species used as green manure are scarce. This study aimed to verify aspects of floral biology and pollination that influence the reproduction of green manure Mucuna pruriens. For this, we inventoried the wealth of floral visitors and pollinators; verified as morphology and floral biology influence the pollinator behavior and/or floral visitor; and analyzed the M. pruriens fertility components through its fruiting rates and seed formation. To study the floral biology flowers were observed as to their flowering time and duration of anthesis. Visa also is change of color in the floral parts and stigmatic receptivity at all stages of flower development. Morphometry of flowers by the material preserved in FAA and in natura was verified. For the morphological and anatomical study of the keel light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy was used. The floral visitors were observed during their foraging activities and made autogamy test for the presence of spontaneous self. For fertility components was observed a difference in fruit development positions in the basal, middle and apical inflorescence and the difference in the formation of seeds in the fruits positions. The M. pruriens flower anthesis have seven days. Are heteroclamídeas with purplish corolla dialipetala and zigomorfa. It is a monoecious plant with androecium and gynoecium diadelfo simple. The gynoecium and androecium are tensioned and confined inside the keel. In Keel apex petals are joined and lignified presenting a membrane that is different from petalar tissue. Were observed individuals Trigona spinipes (Fabr.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and Vespidae of individuals presenting looting behavior. There was no significant difference between the number of fruits developed in relation to the position in the inflorescence. Selective abortions occurred at a higher frequency in the basal region of the pods of Mucuna pruriens. Mucuna pruriens, presented characteristics that distinguishes it from other species of the genus, since, it showed no need for pollinators for reproduction by the presence of autogamy. The presence of the membrane in Keel vertex possibly be the difference that provides the reproduction of this species. Before the study of fertility components, it is possible to detect certain reproductive problems. There is a great investment in production M. pruriens little flowers to fruit formation occurring a great loss of energy descent to ensure species.
A adubação verde é considerada uma alternativa viável e sustentável aos solos agrícolas. O destaque positivo dessa prática resulta da comprovação dos efeitos danosos dos adubos solúveis em junção com os elevados custos do petróleo e fertilizantes industriais. Diante disso Leguminosae tem sido a família mais utilizada como adubo verde, pois traz muitas vantagens tanto para o solo quanto para as plantas. Nesta família destaca-se a espécie Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. (Leguminosae, Faboideae) como uma das mais utilizadas para esta prática. Entretanto o conhecimento sobre sua biologia e principalmente em relação aos aspectos da biologia floral e de seus agentes polinizadores acerca de várias espécies utilizadas como adubo verde são escassos. Assim este trabalho objetivou verificar aspectos da biologia floral e da polinização que influenciam a reprodução do adubo verde Mucuna pruriens. Para isso, foi inventariada a riqueza de visitantes florais e de polinizadores; verificada como a morfologia e a biologia floral influenciam no comportamento do polinizador e/ou visitante floral; e analisados os componentes de fecundidade de M. pruriens através de suas taxas de frutificação e formação de sementes. Para o estudo da biologia floral as flores foram observadas quanto ao seu período de floração e duração da antese. Visto também se ocorre mudança de coloração nas partes florais e receptividade estigmática em todos os estágios de desenvolvimento floral. Foi verificada a morfometria das flores mediante material preservado em FAA e in natura. Para o estudo morfo-anatômico da quilha foi utilizada a microscopia de luz e microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Os visitantes florais foram observados durante suas atividades de forrageamento e feito teste de autogamia para verificar a presença de autopolinização espontânea. Para os componentes de fecundidade foi verificada a diferença no desenvolvimento de frutos nas posições basal, mediana e apical das inflorescências, bem como a diferença na formação de sementes nas posições dos frutos. As flores de M. pruriens possuem antese de sete dias. São heteroclamídeas, com corola violácea, dialipétala e zigomorfa. É uma planta monóica com androceu diadelfo e gineceu simples. O gineceu e androceu ficam tensionados e confinados no interior da quilha. No ápice da quilha as pétalas são unidas e lignificadas apresentando uma membrana que se diferencia do tecido petalar. Foram observados indivíduos de Trigona spinipes (Fabr.) (Hymenoptera:    Apidae)    e indíviduos de Vespidae apresentando comportamento de pilhagem. Não houve diferença significativa entre o número de frutos desenvolvidos em relação à posição na inflorescência. Os abortos seletivos ocorreram em maior frequência na região basal das vagens de Mucuna pruriens. Mucuna pruriens, apresentou características que a distingue de outras espécies do gênero, uma vez que, não evidenciou necessidade de polinizadores para reprodução pela presença de autogamia. A presença da membrana no vértice da quilha, possivelmente ser o diferencial que proporciona a reprodução dessa espécie. Diante do estudo dos componentes de fecundidade, é possível detectar determinados problemas reprodutivos. Existe um grande investimento da M. pruriens na produção de flores para pouca formação de frutos ocorrendo uma grande perda de energia para garantir descendentes da espécie.

Cette thèse est fondée sur le développement de nouvelles méthodes de criblage et d’analyse appliquées aux extraits naturels. Le premier axe de ce travail a consisté à isoler une molécule très minoritaire dans un mélange réactionnel de synthèse biomimétique en utilisant entre autre la chromatographie de partage centrifuge (CPC) en mode pH-zone refining. Nous avons pu isoler la nitrarine avec un rendement de 0,04% en permettant de valider le mécanisme proposé pour sa synthèse biomimétique.Le deuxième axe de ce projet est consacré à l’identification par fractionnement bioguidé, dans les graines de Mucuna pruriens (une plante de la pharmacopée traditionnelle indienne), des molécules responsables de la synergie thérapeutique antiparkinsonienne mise en évidence dans la littérature par des essais in vivo et cliniques. L’extrait hydro-alcoolique de graines de Mucuna pruriens a été fractionné par chromatographie sur colonne de gel de silice, puis les fractions obtenues ont été évaluée in vitro sur plusieurs cibles biologiques : enzymes de dégradation de la dopamine (MAO, COMT), et une enzyme de sa synthèse endogène (DDC). Nous avons développé une méthodes de détection d’une activité d’inhibition de ces enzymes par spectrométrie de masse. À partir des fractions identifiées comme étant actives, nous avons isolé et identifié une vingtaine de molécules, parmi lesquelles une dizaine sont nouvellement décrites. Il a été nécessaire de synthétiser certaines d'entre elles en raison de la quantité nécessaire aux essais biologiques. Certaines de ces molécules ont montré une activité inhibitrice intéressante sur la COMT
This thesis is based on the development of new methods of screening and analysis applied to natural extracts.The first axis of this work consisted in isolating a minoritary molecule in a reaction mixture of a biomimetic synthesis using different techniques including centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) in pH-zone refining mode. We were able to isolate the nitrarine with a yield of 0.04%, thus allowing to validate the proposed mechanism of its biomimetic synthesis.The second axis of this project is dedicated to the identification in the seeds of Mucuna pruriens (a plant of Indian traditional pharmacopoeia), by bioguided fractionation, the molecules responsible for the antiparkinsonian synergy demonstrated by in vivo studies and clinical trials. For this purpose, the hydroalcoholic extract of M. pruriens seeds was fractionated by chromatography on a silica gel column and the obtained fractions were evaluated in vitro on various biological targets: the dopamine-degrading enzymes (MAO, COMT) and an enzyme implicated in its endogenous synthesis (DDC). Moreover, we have developed a method to detect by mass spectrometry fractions or compounds having an inhibitory activity on these enzymes. From fractions identified as active, we isolated and identified about twenty molecules, from which a dozen are newly described. On the other hand, it was necessary to synthetize some of them due to the amount required by bioassays. Some of these molecules have shown an interesting inhibitory activity against the COMT enzyme

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Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
Os nematoides causam grandes prejuízos em culturas agrícolas em todo o mundo. O seu controle é realizado com o uso de produtos químicos de alta toxicidade para o homem, os animais e o meio ambiente. Por isso, tem-se buscado alternativas de controle, dentre estas o uso de plantas antagônicas. Uma das plantas antagônicas mais utilizadas pertence ao gênero Mucuna. Portanto, neste trabalho foi proposto um estudo dos metabólitos secundários presentes na parte aérea e nos exsudados das raízes de Mucuna pruriens var. utilis. A identificação destes compostos foi realizada pela primeira vez utilizando-se cromatografia líquida acoplada com espectrômetro de massas com ionização por electrospray (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Os compostos identificados foram adenosina, isoschaftosideo, isovitexina, rhoifolina e luteolina. Todos os compostos isolados foram caracterizados por espectroscopia no IV, espectrometria de massas, espectroscopia de RMN de 1H e de 13 C. Tanto os extratos como as substâncias isoladas e identificadas (glutinol, estigmasterol e triacilglicerol) foram submetidas a ensaios de atividade sobre o nematoide Meloidogyne javanica um dos mais agressivos para culturas de grande valor comercial como soja, arroz, e aveia entre outras, obtendo-se como resultado uma atividade moderada. A exceção das frações que apresentam entre seus constituintes ácidos graxos, e flavonoides provenientes do extrato metanólico da parte aérea e a fração em acetato de etila proveniente dos exsudados radiculares de Mucuna pruriens apresentaram porcentagens de controle acima de 90%. Este estudo proporciona informação sobre os fitoquímicos presentes em Mucuna pruriens e uma possível aplicação destes compostos no controle do nematoide das galhas, visto que estes apresentaram altas porcentagens de mortalidade para este gênero de nematoides.
The nematodes cause significant damage in economic cultures worldwide. Its control is performed by using chemicals with high toxicity for humans, animals, and the environment. Researchers have tried their control through antagonistic plants. One of the most used antagonistic plants belongs to the genus Mucuna. This work proposes a study of secondary metabolites exuded from the roots of Mucuna pruriens var. utilis, through hydroponic cultivation of the plant, the identification of compounds was performed for first time using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization (ESI-LC-MS/MS).The identified compounds have adenosine isoschaftoside, isovitexin, rhoifolin and luteoline; All isolated compounds were characterized by IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, H NMR and 13 C spectroscopy. Both isolated substances and extracts were identified and submitted for activity tests on the nematode Meloidogyne javanica that is one of the most aggressive for crops as soybeans and rice, obtaining as a result a moderate activity. However, except for fractions which have among their constituent fatty acids, and flavonoids from the aerial part of the methanol extract and the fraction in ethyl acetate from the root exudates of Mucuna which showed control percentages above 90%. This study provides information about phytochemicals present in Mucuna pruriens and a possible application of these compounds in the control of nematode cyst, given that they had high mortality percentages for this kind of nematodes.

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Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico
Entre os problemas fitossanitários da cultura da soja [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] no Brasil, o nematóide de cistos da soja (NCS) é responsável por grandes prejuízos econômicos. Devido à pouca disponibilidade de variedades de soja resistentes no País, o controle deste nematóide baseia-se principalmente na rotação de culturas com espécies não-hospedeiras tradicionalmente cultivadas ou utilizadas para adubação verde e cobertura do solo. Visando ampliar as informações sobre a utilização da espécie Mucuna pruriens no controle do NCS, foram conduzidos ensaios em casa de vegetação, para avaliar a penetração e o desenvolvimento de populações do nematóide identificadas como raças 2, 3, 4, 5 e 14 nas raízes das variedades pruriens (mucunas anã e rajada) e utilis (mucunas preta e cinza) e as alterações histológicas quando inoculadas com a raça 3 do nematóide. Observou-se a penetração dos juvenis de segundo estádio (J2) das diferentes raças do nematóide em todas as mucunas e o desenvolvimento destes até o terceiro (J3) e quarto estádios (J4). Todavia, estes dois últimos estádios de desenvolvimento foram encontrados em maior número nas raízes da soja ‘Doko RC’. As duas variedades de M. pruriens se comportaram como não- hospedeiras do nematóide, pois apenas três fêmeas se formaram nas raízes das plantas de mucunas rajada, anã e cinza (uma fêmea em uma das plantas) quando se inoculou a raça 4 e apenas uma fêmea em uma das plantas de mucuna-cinza quando se inoculou a raça 2. As alterações histológicas ocorridas em tecidos da raiz de mucuna indicaram a penetração intracelular pelos J2 do NCS, com danos mecânicos nas células do córtex devido ao rompimento de paredes. A formação de síncitos foi evidenciada, ocorrendo hipertrofia de células do córtex, da endoderme, do periciclo e do cilindro central. Citoplasma denso, vacúolos, núcleos hipertrofiados e aglomerados e paredes celulares hipertrofiadas sem rompidas a foram formação observados de um nos síncito síncitos. funcional e Células células desorganizadas e necrosadas próximas à região cefálica do nematóide indicaram reações de resistência da planta que impediram o seu desenvolvimento. Síncitos em degeneração associados a J4 que se desenvolveram em machos e regiões necrosadas sendo recuperadas pelo desenvolvimento de células do raio parenquimático foram também observados.
Heterodera glycines is currently the cause to account for the most serious economic losses in Brazilian soybeans. SCN-resistant soybean cultivars are hardly available in this country, thus the accepted means to achieve nematode control has been rotation in which widely cultivated non-host crops, or those used as green manure or cover crops, are used. Mucuna pruriens is a good prospect against the SCN, thus assays were carried out with this leguminous plant, under greenhouse conditions, to provide data on plant penetration by the races 2, 3, 4, 5 and 14 , how they develop inside roots of the pruriens and utilis varieties of M. pruriens, and on the anatomic root changes brought about by the race 3 of the nematode. Second stage juveniles (J2) penetrated the roots of both varieties, in which they developed into the third (J3) and fourth (J4) stages; nevertheless, the numbers of J3 and J4 individuals were much lower here than in ‘Doko-RC` soybean roots, used as the susceptible control. The M. pruriens varieties were ranked as non-host plants since only three female specimens, of the race 4, and one, of the race 2, were found in all examined roots. The anatomic changes found in root tissues indicate the intracelular penetration by J2 juveniles, because it shows a damaged cortex due to disruption of cell walls. Syncytial feeding sites were formed by hypertrophied cells in the cortex, endodermis, pericycle and the vascular cylinder. Dense cytoplasm, vacuolation, hypertrophied and clustered nuclei, in addition to disrupted cell walls, were also observed. The nematode failure to fully develop in the mucuna root tissues, the occurrence of hypertrophied root cells with no syncytium formation and disorganized and necrotic root cells near the nematode cephalic region are indications that mucuna root tissues are somewhat resistant to H. glycines race 3. Degenerated syncytia associated with the J4 bound to develop into males and necrotic regions being regenerated by parenchymatous ray cells were also found.
Tese importada do Alexandria

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Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior
The study was conducted in the Experimental Field of Embrapa Agrobiologia in Serop?dica, state of Rio de Janeiro, with the objectives: (a) evaluate different spatial arrangements of corn in monoculture or syndication with legumes, as the production of grains and nutrient intake of green incorporated biomass accumulated in the soil; (b) assess the residual effect of biomass built on the agronomic performance of sweet potato grown in succession. The treatments for the pre-cultivation were: corn sown in rows of individual spaced 1.0 m between them and double spaced rows of 1.5 m, with 0.5 m between each component; monoculture of corn with or without additional organic fertilizer of coverage (50 kg ha-1 total N in the form of "bed" of chicken), in consortium with corn Crotalaria juncea submitted to cut single or two cuts over the cycle, and corn in consortium with Mucuna pruriens. The crops were conducted in the body system, adopting to block randomized experimental design, involving the 10 treatments arranged in split plots, with four repetitions. Computaram is the biomass of the shoots of each species, as well as the productivity of corn grain in dry and sweet potato tubers of a commercial pattern. The management of Crotalaria juncea through cutting provided only increase the production of corn, compared to the monoculture without fertilization of coverage. Already the cuts parcelados of Crotalaria juncea undermined the productive performance of corn, but resulted in higher intake of biomass to the system. The sowing of Mucuna pruriens, 40 days after planting corn, did not affect the performance of the cereal. The productivity of corn was not influenced by the spatial arrangements evaluated. The performance of the sweet potato has no influence of any of the treatments related to pre-cultivation, production reaching above state and national averages disclosed. The inclusion of legumes green manure, via consortium with corn, is considered a viable option for its ability to provide significant input of organic matter, produced in situ, containing significant amounts of nutrients, especially nitrogen, with the potential to bring benefits in the medium deadline for subsequent commercial crops.
O estudo foi realizado no Campo Experimental da Embrapa Agrobiologia, em Serop?dica, estado do Rio de Janeiro, tendo por objetivos: (a) avaliar diferentes arranjos espaciais de milho, em monocultivo ou consorciado com leguminosas, quanto ? produ??o de gr?os e aporte de nutrientes acumulados na biomassa verde incorporada ao solo; e (b) avaliar o efeito residual dessa biomassa incorporada sobre o desempenho agron?mico da batata-doce cultivada em sucess?o. Os tratamentos relativos ao pr?-cultivo foram: milho semeado em fileiras individuais espa?adas de 1,0 m entre si e em fileiras duplas espa?adas de 1,5 m, com 0,5m entre cada componente; monocultivo do milho com ou sem aduba??o org?nica suplementar de cobertura (50 kg ha-1 de N total, na forma de cama de frango), milho em cons?rcio com Crotalaria juncea (crotal?ria) submetida a corte ?nico ou a dois cortes durante o ciclo, e milho em cons?rcio com Mucuna pruriens (mucuna cinza). As culturas foram conduzidas no sistema org?nico, adotando-se delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, envolvendo os 10 tratamentos dispostos em parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repeti??es. Computaram-se as biomassas da parte a?rea de cada esp?cie, assim como a produtividade do milho em gr?os secos e da batata-doce em tub?rculos de padr?o comercial. O manejo da crotal?ria por meio de corte ?nico proporcionou aumento na produ??o do milho, em compara??o ao monocultivo sem aduba??o de cobertura. J? os cortes parcelados da crotal?ria prejudicaram o desempenho produtivo do milho, por?m resultaram em aporte superior de biomassa ao sistema. A semeadura da mucuna cinza, 40 dias ap?s o plantio do milho, n?o afetou o desempenho do cereal. A produtividade do milho tamb?m n?o foi influenciada pelos arranjos espaciais avaliados. O desempenho da batata-doce n?o sofreu influ?ncia de qualquer dos tratamentos relacionados ao pre-cultivo, alcan?ando produ??o acima das m?dias estadual e nacional divulgadas. A inclus?o das leguminosas para aduba??o verde, via cons?rcio com o milho, ? considerada uma op??o vi?vel por sua capacidade em prover expressivo aporte de mat?ria org?nica, produzida in situ, contendo significante quantidade de nutrientes, especialmente nitrog?nio, com potencial de trazer benef?cios no m?dio prazo para subsequentes culturas comerciais.

碩士
國立臺灣海洋大學
水產養殖學系
96
The increasing economical and environmental concerns regarding the use of fish meal in diets for aquaculture have led to the development of replacement strategies in which plants are seen as a reliable source of lower production costs. This study evaluated a fish meal replacement strategy using a plant protein source in treatment diets for marine white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei. The use of mucuna beans was evaluated as a replacement for fish meal in practical diets. Animal protein was replaced with 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of mucuna beans meal respectively. Post larvae of Litopenaeus vannamei were reared indoors. Each treatment had a replicate containing groups of 24 shrimps (100/m2) per aquarium arranged in a completely randomized design. Shrimps initial mean weight ranged from 1.37 ± 0.09 and 1.41 ± 0.17. The shrimp were hand fed twice daily at 08:00 and 20:00 for 70 days. The results showed that mucuna bean is a good alternative source for protein in white shrimp diets and can replace fish meal in levels from 25 % to 50 %. The results also showed no significant different effect in weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and survival rate. From the economic point of view, the partial gross returns for the protein source were compared simulating a 1 hectare culture of white shrimp and using results from the treatment diets that showed no significant differences among them according to final mean weight. The results showed that as more mucuna was replaced on every diet, the protein costs were lowered, but control diet had an increased partial gross return of NT$ 260 673.47 compared to the 25% replacement with NT$ 198 897.26 and the 50% mucuna had NT$ 184 153.84. According to these results we can have a good usage of the mucuna beans in replacement of the fishmeal especially from the economic point of view since we can reduce the price of the feed, which is the major cost in the culture of most aquatic species and in this case in the white shrimp culture. In conclusion, the replacement of fish meal with mucuna beans as a plant protein source in white shrimp practical diets is feasible. Keywords: Litopenaeus vannamei; Mucuna pruriens; Fish meal; Shrimp Nutrition

The competitive advantage of velvet beans as an economic agricultural commodity. In the past 40 years, although food insecurity, poverty and environmental degradation persist, worldwide farmers have made considerable progress in increasing per capita food production whilst better understanding natural-resource management. Literature indicates that — in the decades to come — food demand will both grow and change for three reasons, namely increased numbers of people, increased income (people will have more purchasing power), and increased urbanisation (people will be more likely to adopt new diets containing animal protein and cereal). The world population is expected to increase to 8,9 billion by 2050, with 84% in the developing countries. Food insecurity and malnutrition are expected to persist despite progress on average per capita consumption of food. As a complex system, and despite challenges, agriculture must produce simultaneously unprecedented abundance of food and unparalleled social concerns. As a business, agriculture requires high capital investments in land, facilities and production inputs; most often producing commodities of generally low unit value with thin profit margins, thereby forcing producers to strive for efficiency in all aspects of production. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that farmers should understand sustainable agriculture; where a more sustainable food-production system seeks to make the best use of nature’s goods and services whilst not being harmful to the environment. Sustainable agriculture should maximise the productivity of the land; should focus on locally adapted resource-conserving technologies which assist whole system redesign and large-scale adoption; and should aim to minimise the use of harmful non-renewable and fossil-fuel derived inputs. Fertilisers have not replaced the function of organic matter and other management practices; but soil erosion and toxic waste rather did increase disproportionately along with increased agricultural production. This has led to a progressive decline in crop and land productivity as a result of soil degradation, water contamination, increasing problems of weed infestation, pests and diseases. Often the apparent absence of sustainable productive agricultural systems within the scope of commercial farmers is not because of the lack in technology or low yield potential of traditional varieties, but rather on account of the limited knowledge or lack of awareness on the part of farmers about sustainable production practices which function in harmony with their farming environment. As one of the keys to success the velvet bean — which can grow almost everywhere — is an example of the introduction of a simple regenerative component into a farming system, as well as boosting the capacity of a farmer for local adaptation of the technology. Integrating the natural processes of nutrient cycling, nitrogen fixation and introducing natural enemies of pests into food production processes can contribute to minimising environmental damage and/or health of the farmer and the consumer. Using the knowledge and skills of farmers helps to improve their self-reliance and to solve a common management problem, such as social- and human-capital management. The velvet bean is seen as an answer to the agricultural problem of low nutrient supply to the staple crop of maize. The bean creates ground cover, regenerates, fertilises the soil, controls weeds and adds organic matter and nutrients. In arid South Africa the crop is one of the strongest defences of the farmer against the harmful effects of El Niño — with the bean protecting the soil, holding water and fertilising the land with its leaves. With the velvet bean farmers can grow their own organic and inexpensive fertilisers. Commercial fertilisers are becoming more and more expensive and their benefit is decreasing because of a degrading soil resource base. Furthermore, the rise in production costs makes total reliance on inorganic fertilisers more uneconomical for most growers in the agricultural sector; making it imperative for researchers to come up with options which increase the efficient use of fertiliser, and also to identify other nutrient sources — such as legumes — that are not capital intensive. The velvet-bean technique is known to researchers and farmers worldwide for a considerable amount of time, but not in our country. As the technique becomes better known to South African farmers, it can be considered in a broader sense as a modern way to add nitrogen to the soil; benefitting, amongst others, the subsequent crop. The velvet-bean approach has a window of opportunity which can lead to higher yields in crop production, decline in labour costs, crop diversification, as well as agro-processing — all resulting in improved food security for South Africa. Adopting the velvet bean into a production system can benefit a farmer, by achieving maize yields of 3 t/ha–4 t/ha (similar to yields normally obtained with recommended levels of fertilisation at 130 kg N/ha) without applied nitrogen fertiliser or input for weeding. Velvet beans, as an intercrop, can provide more than 100 kg N/ha to the following crop. However, literature shows a declining trend over time for all systems, which suggests that additional external inputs (probably P and K fertiliser) are required to achieve full sustainability. The adoption of the velvet bean in the South African maize industry would result in import savings of about 158 million tons of urea or about R591 billion/year. Information presented in this mini-dissertation is considered to be the current state of knowledge on establishing, managing, and utilising the velvet bean as a legume in South Africa’s commodity market; with the belief that it will expand the use of the bean, and will enhance the benefits from its use.
MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015