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Lablab bean (Lablab purpureus L.) is a multipurpose crop, commonly used for food, feed, and fodder, and its potential as a plant-based meat alternative. Its nutritional diversity, including high protein, starch, and phenolic content, makes it a suitable candidate for nutritional profiling, which is essential for developing nutritionally enhanced varieties. Traditional methods for analyzing its nutritional parameters are labor-intensive, time-consuming, and expensive. This study employs Near-Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy (NIRS) as a rapid, non-destructive alternative to evaluate 112 Lablab bean genotypes. We developed prediction models for starch, amylose, protein, fat, and phenols using a Modified Partial Least Squares (MPLS) approach, with spectral pre-processing using Standard Normal Variate (SNV) to remove scatter effects and Detrending (DT) to reduce baseline shifts and noise. The models were optimized for derivatives, gap selection, and smoothing, and evaluated using independent test data and key performance metrics including coefficient of determination (R²), bias, and Residual Prediction Deviation (RPD). The best-performing models were: starch (R² = 0.959, RPD = 4.57), amylose (R² = 0.737, RPD = 1.76), protein (R² = 0.911, RPD = 3.09), fat (R² = 0.894, RPD = 2.92), and phenols (R² = 0.816, RPD = 2.36). Statistical tests, including paired t-tests, correlation, and reliability analysis, confirmed the robustness of these models. This study presents a first report offering rapid, multi-trait assessment method for evaluating Lablab bean germplasm, demonstrating high predictive accuracy for pre-breeding practices. It has broad applications in developing nutritionally enhanced varieties, supporting plant-based protein alternatives, and optimizing food production processes to meet the growing demand for healthier, sustainable foods.

IntroductionMalnutrition continues to be a significant concern at unacceptably high levels globally. There is significant potential for addressing malnutrition of human population through the biofortification of climate-resilient vegetables using strategic breeding strategies. Lablab bean [Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet], a underutilized nutrient-dense crop holds great potential in this aspect. Despite its advantageous nutritional profile, the production, research, and consumption of lablab bean are currently limited. Addressing these limitations and unlock the nutritional benefits of lablab beans needs to prioritized for fighting malnutrition in local inhabitants on a global scale.Materials and methodsTwenty five genotypes of lablab bean collected through exploration survey in Eastern India and were evaluated in 2020–2021. Among them, the nine highly diverse well adapted genotypes were again evaluated at the experimental farm of ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna, Bihar, India in 2021–2022. Horticultural important traits of lablab bean were recorded by using the minimum descriptors developed by ICAR-NBPGR in New Delhi and biochemical analysis was done by using standard protocols. Genotypic and phenotypic correlation and path coefficient analysis was done used understand relationships, interdependencies, and causal pathways between different traits. The outcome was revalidated by using principal component analysis (PCA).ResultsDescriptive statistics revealed substantial heterogeneity across the traits of lablab bean evaluated. Vitamin A content showed nearly a five-fold variation, Fe ranged from 5.97 to 10.5 mg/100 g, and Vitamin C varied from 4.61 to 9.45 mg/100 g. Earliness and dwarf growth was observed in RCPD-1 (60 cm) and early flowering (41 days). RCPD-3 and RCPD-12 had high pod yield due to their high number of pods and pod weight. Pod yield was significantly correlated with number of pod per plant (NPP) (rg = 0.995) and with average pod weight (APW) (rg = 0.882). A significant positive correlation was also found between protein and Zn content (rg = 0.769). Path coefficient analysis revealed that average pod weight had the most direct positive effect on pod yield, followed by NPP and protein content. The reaction of lablab bean genotypes to collar rot disease was also evaluated and significant differences in disease intensity were observed among the genotypes, with the resistant check RCPD-15 exhibiting the lowest disease intensity.DiscussionThe study highlights the substantial heterogeneity in lablab bean traits, particularly in nutritional components such as vitamin A, iron, and vitamin C concentrations. Early flowering and dwarf growth habit are desirable qualities for lablab bean, and certain genotypes were found to exhibit these traits. Positive correlations, both phenotypic and genotypic, existed among different traits, suggesting the potential for simultaneous improvement. Path coefficient and PCA revealed genotypes with high yield and nutritional traits. Finally, resistant and moderately resistant lablab bean genotypes to collar rot disease were identified. These findings contribute to the selection and breeding strategies for improving lablab bean production and nutritional value.

Country bean is a grain legume extensively farmed for its multi-purpose uses, yet the traits related to yield are are poorly studied and yet unexplored. A study on the diversity of qualitative and quantitative morphological characteristics concerning yield among the country bean germplasms collected from Bangladesh identified considerable variation in the studied traits across the germplasms and identified a complex correlation between the qualitative and quantitative traits. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) detected five components that contributed 66.38% qualitative traits and six components contributed 74.49% quantitative traits to total variations. Eigenvalues indicated that a majority of color-related qualitative traits included cotyledon, leaf, vein, seed, flower, and petals contributed, in contrast,a majority of the seed, leaf, flower, and inflorescence-related quantitative traits contributed to the total diversity of the Lablab germplasms. Among the quantitative traits, the highest coefficient of variation (CV%) was found in average pod weight (50.98%), followed by the total number of spikes per plant (43.82%), while seed length, pod weight, length, width, thickness, number of flower/spike, spike length, and total no of spikes/plant all had more than 20.00 percent CV, suggesting suitability to use in the breeding of high yielding genotypes. The germplasms are grouped into four and three clusters based on quantitative and qualitative traits, suggesting quantitative characters offer better clustering of genotypes. Considering the above traits, our research found that the BD-10804, BD-10807, BD-11091, BD-10808, BD-10815, and BD-11089 and cultivar Goal Goda Lablab beans germplasms produced higher pod weight with corresponding higher pod length, width, and thickness suggesting to use them as high yielding genotypes for food and fodder purposes.

Introduction: Malnutrition continues to be a significant concern at unacceptably high levels globally. There is significant potential for addressing malnutrition of human population through the biofortification of climate-resilient vegetables using strategic breeding strategies. Lablab bean [ Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet], a underutilized nutrient-dense crop holds great potential in this aspect. Despite its advantageous nutritional profile, the production, research, and consumption of lablab bean are currently limited. Addressing these limitations and unlock the nutritional benefits of lablab beans needs to prioritized for fighting malnutrition in local inhabitants on a global scale., Materials and Methods: Twenty five genotypes of lablab bean collected through exploration survey in Eastern India and were evaluated in 2020-2021. Among them, the nine highly diverse well adapted genotypes were again evaluated at the experimental farm of ICAR-Research Complex for Eastern Region, Patna, Bihar, India in 2021-2022. Horticultural important traits of lablab bean were recorded by using the minimum descriptors developed by ICAR-NBPGR in New Delhi and biochemical analysis was done by using standard protocols. Genotypic and phenotypic correlation and path coefficient analysis was done used understand relationships, interdependencies, and causal pathways between different traits. The outcome was revalidated by using principal component analysis (PCA)., Results: Descriptive statistics revealed substantial heterogeneity across the traits of lablab bean evaluated. Vitamin A content showed nearly a five-fold variation, Fe ranged from 5.97 to 10.5 mg/100 g, and Vitamin C varied from 4.61 to 9.45 mg/100 g. Earliness and dwarf growth was observed in RCPD-1 (60 cm) and early flowering (41 days). RCPD-3 and RCPD-12 had high pod yield due to their high number of pods and pod weight. Pod yield was significantly correlated with number of pod per plant (NPP) ( r g  = 0.995) and with average pod weight (APW) ( r g  = 0.882). A significant positive correlation was also found between protein and Zn content ( r g  = 0.769). Path coefficient analysis revealed that average pod weight had the most direct positive effect on pod yield, followed by NPP and protein content. The reaction of lablab bean genotypes to collar rot disease was also evaluated and significant differences in disease intensity were observed among the genotypes, with the resistant check RCPD-15 exhibiting the lowest disease intensity., Discussion: The study highlights the substantial heterogeneity in lablab bean traits, particularly in nutritional components such as vitamin A, iron, and vitamin C concentrations. Early flowering and dwarf growth habit are desirable qualities for lablab bean, and certain genotypes were found to exhibit these traits. Positive correlations, both phenotypic and genotypic, existed among different traits, suggesting the potential for simultaneous improvement. Path coefficient and PCA revealed genotypes with high yield and nutritional traits. Finally, resistant and moderately resistant lablab bean genotypes to collar rot disease were identified. These findings contribute to the selection and breeding strategies for improving lablab bean production and nutritional value., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The reviewer PC declared a shared parent affiliation with the authors to the handling editor at the time of review., (Copyright © 2024 Shubha, Choudhary, Dubey, Tripathi, Kumar, Kumar, Mukherjee, Tamta, Kumar, Kumar, Layek and Das.)

Germplasm characterization is an important component of crop breeding program. In characterizing indigenous beans lablab which is used for vegetables as well pulses in Nepal. Twenty three lablab beans germplasm were evaluated for different qualitative and quantitive physico-morphological charecteristics for two years during 2011 and 2012 at Horticulture Research Station, Malepatan, Pokhara. The germplasm showed considerable variations in most of the qualitative and quantitative traits. Leaf size, vine color, flower color, pod color, pod shape, pod type and seed color varied among the genotypes. Variation was also observed in yield attributing characters eg, pod length and width, 10 fresh pod weight, seeds per pod and 100-seed weight. Days to 50% flowering ranged from 81 to 130 days indicating the presence of early varieties. Fresh pod weight of 10 pods was ranged from 45.0 g to 162.5 g. Multivariate analysis indicated four groups in these genotypes, among with ML-02 and ML-10 were distinct in comparioson with other genotypes. Simple selection may be considered to develop high yielding, early type varieties from these gentopypes.

Lablab bean (Dolichos lablab) seeds is a potential source of protein globulin.The bean’s protein content is 20.86 %, and the amount of globulin was more than 60% from the total protein, having major fractions of 7S and 11S. The objectives of this research were to explore the 7S globulin fractions, to study interaction between 7S globulin fractions with xanthan gum, and to observe the functional properties of the product of the interaction. The research was conducted in 2 steps. The first step was to fractionate the 7S fractions from globulin. The second steps was to interact 7S globulin fraction with xanthan gum. The yield of these interaction were examined for its physicochemical and functional properties. The results showed that the 7S globulin fractions could be interacted by xanthan gum at pH 7. The interacted product of globulin 7S fraction 10 % with xanthan gum 0,75 % had good functional properties than globulin 7S fraction, such as oil holding capacity, foaming capacity, and emulsion activity. Water holding capacity could not be detected because the yield became soluble. However,the foaming and emulsifying stability were still lower than those of soybean protein isolates. The research concluded that xanthan gum could be used to improve the physicochemical and functional properties of globulin 7S fraction.

Country bean is a grain legume extensively farmed for its multi-purpose uses, yet the traits related to yield are are poorly studied and yet unexplored. A study on the diversity of qualitative and quantitative morphological characteristics concerning yield among the country bean germplasms collected from Bangladesh identified considerable variation in the studied traits across the germplasms and identified a complex correlation between the qualitative and quantitative traits. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) detected five components that contributed 66.38% qualitative traits and six components contributed 74.49% quantitative traits to total variations. Eigenvalues indicated that a majority of color-related qualitative traits included cotyledon, leaf, vein, seed, flower, and petals contributed, in contrast,a majority of the seed, leaf, flower, and inflorescence-related quantitative traits contributed to the total diversity of the Lablab germplasms. Among the quantitative traits, the highest coefficient of variation (CV%) was found in average pod weight (50.98%), followed by the total number of spikes per plant (43.82%), while seed length, pod weight, length, width, thickness, number of flower/spike, spike length, and total no of spikes/plant all had more than 20.00 percent CV, suggesting suitability to use in the breeding of high yielding genotypes. The germplasms are grouped into four and three clusters based on quantitative and qualitative traits, suggesting quantitative characters offer better clustering of genotypes. Considering the above traits, our research found that the BD-10804, BD-10807, BD-11091, BD-10808, BD-10815, and BD-11089 and cultivar Goal Goda Lablab beans germplasms produced higher pod weight with corresponding higher pod length, width, and thickness suggesting to use them as high yielding genotypes for food and fodder purposes., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2022 The Author(s).)

Abstract: This study was conducted to determine silage fiber characteristics and fermentation profiles of corn (Zea mays L.) grown in mixture with lablab bean [Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet] at different planting densities. The experiment was conducted in two environments in 2005. ‘Rongai’ lablab bean and corn were intercropped at eight different planting densities; 20/80, 40/0, 40/40, 40/80, 60/0, 60/40, 60/80, and 80/80 thousand corn/lablab bean plants/ha. Corn in monoculture or in mixture with bean was harvested between 1/2 and 3/4 milk line. Two 1-L glass jar mini-silos per treatment per replicate plot were filled at a density of 500g/L, eight jars per treatment per location, and stored for 40 days at room temperature (∼22°C). At the time of ensiling a 500-g fresh sub-sample was also taken for dry matter (DM) and initial characterization of the corn and corn–bean mixtures. Each silo was analyzed for fiber characteristics, pH, and fermentation products. Silage crude protein (CP) concentration was on average 17.5% (86.4g/kg DM) greater in the mixture than monoculture corn (73.5g/kg DM). The in vitro true digestible DM (IVTDDM) concentrations in the mixtures were on average 4.6% less (796g/kg DM) than that of monoculture corn (834g/kg DM), but neutral detergent fiber digestibility was not different between monoculture corn and corn–lablab mixtures (P>0.05). Lactate concentration was 21.2% higher in the corn–lablab bean mixtures (60.5g/kg DM) than monoculture corn (49.9g/kg DM). The contribution of the lablab bean to the mixture increased as corn planting density decreased. Thus the maximum benefits to increased CP occurred in the mixtures with the lowest corn planting densities, but those mixtures also had the greatest reductions in IVTDDM. However all treatments fermented well in spite of significant (P<0.05) differences in pH and fermentation products. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]