Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin, 1966. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliography.

Exposure to moderately high levels of ionizing radiation (<20 Gy) has in some instances shown a hormetic effect in numerous vegetable-type crops. Past experiments performed in outdoor cultivars have shown a somewhat unpredictable increase in growth rate with a higher overall yield in a specified time when the seeds are exposed to ionizing radiation prior to germination. This experiment has attempted to eliminate potentially confounding variables in the growth of a legume utilizing an Environmental Protection Agency controlled green house. The experiment was a completely randomized block design with six blocks and seven treatment groups. Each treatment group of pinto beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were exposed to ������Co radiation, given doses of 5-20 Gy, planted and grown for 40 days. Due to the symbiotic relationship with rhizobium bacteria within a seed, the expected result was a lowered nitrogen fixation capacity as bacteria concentration was reduced due to sterilization by the high energy gamma, yielding a smaller plant mass. The predicted trend in reduction would be described by the linear no-threshold model. A statistically significant increase in overall plant mass occurred in the 5 Gy treatment group, with a subsequent linear trend in mass reduction at treatment levels of 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15 Gy. The overall quality and plant mass decreased markedly at a treatment level of 20 Gy. Additional possible contributions to plant differences in growth within a green house were light intensity, temperature, CO��� level and soil water retention. The complete randomized block design attempts to remove these as potentially confounding variables. / Graduation date: 1999

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wyoming, 2007. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on June 16, 2008). Includes bibliographical references (p. 36-44).

Dry bean (<i>Phaseolus vulgaris</i>) is currently being introduced for rainfed production in the Dark Brown soil zone in Saskatchewan. Insufficient water is one of the major factors limiting crop production in this soil zone. Ten pinto bean genotypes (Othello, Agate, GH196-2, 6315, 5325, Earliray, Fiesta, ISB82-354, UI 111 and Nodak) were exposed to drought stress in the field to study their rooting pattern under drought stress. Three pinto bean genotypes (Othello, Agate and GH196-2) with an extensive root system in the deeper soil layers and three (Earliray, Fiesta and ISB82-354) with a less extensive root system were exposed to drought stress and nonstress conditions in the growth room and in the field to study the relationship between rooting pattern and seed yield. In addition, three indeterminate pinto bean genotypes (Othello, Nodak and Fiesta) and three determinate genotypes (Agate, Agassiz and Earliray) were exposed to a soil moisture gradient to study the effects of soil moisture level on seed yield and other agronomic traits. Othello, Agate and GH196-2 had an extensive root system in the deeper soil layers, whereas Earliray, Fiesta and ISB82-354 had a less extensive root system in the deeper soil layers. An extensive root system in the deeper soil layers was associated with increased soil moisture depletion at those depths. Shoot dry mass, total root dry mass, mean root length density and root:shoot ratio were the same for the ten pinto bean genotypes. Pinto bean genotypes with an extensive root system (Othello, Agate and GH196-2) in the deeper soil layers had higher seed yield compared to genotypes with a less extensive root system (Earliray, Fiesta and ISB82-354) in the deeper soil layers in the field and in the growth room. Due to insufficient drought stress in the field, the rooting pattern of the six pinto bean genotypes was the same under irrigation and rainfed conditions. In the growth room, pinto bean genotypes with an extensive root system showed a stronger recuperative ability after a severe drought stress compared to genotypes with a less extensive root system. Root traits were positively correlated with seed yield under adequate soil moisture or where drought stress was relieved before maturity. Soil moisture deficit reduced number of pods per plant, plant height, seed weight, seed yield and seed nitrogen concentration of both determinate and indeterminate pinto bean genotypes. Indeterminate pinto bean genotypes had, on average, higher mean seed yield and showed a greater seed yield response to increasing soil moisture availability compared to determinate genotypes. However, the difference in seed yield of the two groups was small under high drought stress, except in the case of one very early maturing determinate genotype.

Beans are a commonly consumed food and a staple in many regions worldwide. Pinto beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), categorized as legumes, are dried seeds from plants and are high in protein, carbohydrate and fiber, and low in fat. They are also a good source of various minerals and well as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6, and folate Beans are typically soaked and thermally processed before consumption. Different processing methods can impact the composition of beans. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of thermal treatments on vitamin concentration in pinto beans. Beans were simmered, canned, dried-flaked, or dried-extruded, and measured for thiamin, riboflavin, folate, and vitamin B6. Beans were then reheated and measured again for vitamin concentration. Vitamin loss was comparable between the most commonly consumed stages of processing: Simmered, canned reheated, dried-flaked reheated and dried-extruded reheated. The only statistically significant differences were that simmering caused the least amount of degradation of thiamin and dried-flaked product had the least amount of vitamin B6 degradation. Though dried-flaked and dried-extruded beans generally decreased in vitamin concentration, these two products were comparable to the simmered and canned reheated products. This suggests that drying is a nutritionally acceptable means of processing pinto beans, resulting in products that are more economical to transport and more convenient to prepare.