scholarly journals The future of grain legumes in cropping systems

2012 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas R. Sinclair ◽  
Vincent Vadez
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Grain Legumes ◽  
Phosphorus Recovery ◽  
Grain Legume ◽  
Human Consumption ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Legume Production ◽  
Economic Constraints

Grain legume production is increasing worldwide due to their use directly as human food, feed for animals, and industrial demands. Further, grain legumes have the ability to enhance the levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in cropping systems. Considering the increasing needs for human consumption of plant products and the economic constraints of applying fertiliser on cereal crops, we envision a greater role for grain legumes in cropping systems, especially in regions where accessibility and affordability of fertiliser is an issue. However, for several reasons the role of grain legumes in cropping systems has often received less emphasis than cereals. In this review, we discuss four major issues in increasing grain legume productivity and their role in overall crop production: (i) increased symbiotic nitrogen fixation capacity, (ii) increased phosphorus recovery from the soil, (iii) overcoming grain legume yield limitations, and (iv) cropping systems to take advantage of the multi-dimensional benefits of grain legumes.

Potential and realities of enhancing rapeseed- and grain legume-based protein production in a northern climate

2012 ◽  
Vol 151 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. PELTONEN-SAINIO ◽  
A. HANNUKKALA ◽  
E. HUUSELA-VEISTOLA ◽  
L. VOUTILA ◽  
J. NIEMI ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soybean Meal ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Grain Legumes ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Grain Legume ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Realistic Potential ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
Self Sufficiency

SUMMARYCrop-based protein self-sufficiency in Finland is low. Cereals dominate the field cropping systems in areas that are also favourable for legumes and rapeseed. The present paper estimated the realistic potential for expanding protein crop production taking account of climatic conditions and constraints, crop rotation requirements, field sizes, soil types and likelihood for compacted soils in different regions. The potential for current expansion was estimated by considering climate change scenarios for 2025 and 2055. By using actual regional mean yields for the 2000s, without expecting any yield increase during the expansion period (due to higher risks of pests and diseases), potential production volumes were estimated. Since rapeseed, unlike grain legumes, is a not a true minor crop, its expansion potential is currently limited. Thus, most potential is from the introduction of legumes into cropping systems. The current 100000 ha of protein crops could be doubled, and areas under cultivation could reach 350000 and 390000 ha as a result of climate warming by 2025 and 2055, respectively. Such increases result mainly from the longer growing seasons projected for the northern cropping regions of Finland. Self-sufficiency in rapeseed could soon increase from 0·25 to 0·32, and then to 0·50 and 0·60 by 2025 and 2055, respectively. If legume production expands according to its potential, it could replace 0·50–0·60 of currently imported soybean meal, and by 2025 it could replace it completely. Replacement of soybean meal is suitable for ruminants, but it presents some problems for pig production, and is particularly challenging for poultry.

scholarly journals Elevated CO2 and Temperature Resetting the Expression of Resistance, Pest Incidence, Geographical Distribution and Physiology in Insect-pests of Grain Legumes: A Review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
B.L. Jat ◽  
P. Pagaria ◽  
A.S. Jat ◽  
H.D. Choudhary ◽  
T. Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Elevated Co2 ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Grain Legumes ◽  
Grain Legume ◽  
Nutritional Content ◽  
High Co2 ◽  
Elevated Co2 And Temperature

The most important factor that affects the crop production in terms of nutritional content of foliar plants is the global climate change. Herbivore’s growth, development, survival and geographical distribution all are determined by elevated CO2 and temperature. The interactions between herbivores and plants have changed due to increasing level of CO2 and temperature. The effect of high CO2 and temperature on grain legume plant which change in to plant physiology (e.g., nutritional content, foliage biomass) and how it change in herbivory metabolism rate and food consumption rate. Plant injury is determined by two factors viz. resistance and tolerance and both are influenced by greater CO2 and temperature. Legumes are an important source of food and feed in the form of proteins and also improve the soil environment. The repercussions of the abiotic factors mentioned above needs discussion among the scientific community. We may able to limit the negative repercussions of stated factors in future breeding projects by harnessing the practical favourable impacts and by including such influences of elevated CO2 and temperature on pulses productivity. The extensive research is necessary to overcome the negative effects of high CO2 and temperature on insect-plant interaction.

scholarly journals Impact of Cover Crops on the Soil Microbiome of Tree Crops

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Castellano-Hinojosa ◽  
Sarah L. Strauss
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Sustainable Management ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Soil Nutrient ◽  
Conventional Tillage ◽  
Soil Microbiome ◽  
Nitrogen And Phosphorus ◽  
Tree Crops

Increased concerns associated with interactions between herbicides, inorganic fertilizers, soil nutrient availability, and plant phytotoxicity in perennial tree crop production systems have renewed interest in the use of cover crops in the inter-row middles or between trees as an alternative sustainable management strategy for these systems. Although interactions between the soil microbiome and cover crops have been examined for annual cropping systems, there are critical differences in management and growth in perennial cropping systems that can influence the soil microbiome and, therefore, the response to cover crops. Here, we discuss the importance of cover crops in tree cropping systems using multispecies cover crop mixtures and minimum tillage and no-tillage to not only enhance the soil microbiome but also carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling compared to monocropping, conventional tillage, and inorganic fertilization. We also identify potentially important taxa and research gaps that need to be addressed to facilitate assessments of the relationships between cover crops, soil microbes, and the health of tree crops. Additional evaluations of the interactions between the soil microbiome, cover crops, nutrient cycling, and tree performance will allow for more effective and sustainable management of perennial cropping systems.

DINITROGEN FIXATION OF LENTIL, FIELD PEA AND FABABEAN UNDER DRYLAND CONDITIONS

1988 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 553-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. BREMER ◽  
D. A. RENNIE ◽  
R. J. RENNIE
Keyword(s):  
Drought Stress ◽  
Isotope Dilution ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Black Soil ◽  
Grain Legumes ◽  
Dinitrogen Fixation ◽  
Grain Legume ◽  
Hordeum Vulgare L ◽  
Total N ◽  
Legume Production

Annual grain legume production has increased substantially in Western Canada over the past 15 yr but more information on the N2-fixing potential of these crops is needed. 15N isotope dilution was used to determine N2 fixation of several grain legumes under dryland field conditions in Saskatchewan. Two cultivars of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik), pea (Pisum sativum L.), and fababean (Vicia faba L.) were grown at five locations in both 1984 and 1985, with all major soil zones represented by at least one location in each year. Drought stress was moderate to severe at all sites in 1984 and at sites in the Brown and Dark Brown soil zones in 1985. Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were nearly identical as non-N2-fixing reference crops, but their validity as reference crops for the grain legumes included in this study was not tested. Indigenous rhizobia were incapable of supporting adequate levels of N2 fixation at most sites in this study. Inoculation increased total dry matter, total N and N2 fixation of all grain legume cultivars tested. Proportion of N assimilated from the atmosphere declined with increasing soil nitrate levels and increasing drought stress. Annual rates of N2 fixation were as high as 75, 105 and 160 kg N ha−1 for lentil, pea and fababean, respectively, at sites in the Gray and Gray-Black soil zones in 1985, but declined by an average of 5.3, 7.6 and 10.5 kg N ha−1, respectively, for every cm reduction in moisture use. Maximum rates of N2 fixation in 1984 were about 80 kg ha−1. Fababean fixed the most N2 under wetter conditions, while pea and lentil fixed the most under drought stressed conditions. Key words: 15N isotope dilution, dinitrogen fixation, lentil, pea, fababean, drought stress

The contribution of nitrogen fertiliser to the nitrogen nutrition of rainfed wheat crops in Australia: a review

1989 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 455 ◽  
Author(s):  
GK McDonald
Keyword(s):  
Nitrogen Nutrition ◽  
Average Rate ◽  
Grain Protein Content ◽  
Grain Legumes ◽  
Grain Legume ◽  
Wheat Crop ◽  
Total Consumption ◽  
N Nutrition ◽  
Australian Wheat ◽  
Legume Production

Very little nitrogen (N) fertiliser is applied to wheat crops in Australia. Currently, about 105 t of N fertiliser (less than 20% of Australia's total consumption) are used annually at an average rate of 2-3 kg Nha. This scant use of N fertiliser over much of the Australian wheat belt N is because the N derived from a legume-dominant pasture ley is thought to provide a wheat crop's N requirement. However, trends in the grain protein content of Australian wheat and some other indices of soil fertility suggest that legume-based pastures have not always been able to supply all the N required for adequate nutrition of the wheat crop and that there has been some occasional need for extra N from applications of fertiliser. Recent declines in the productivity and quality of pastures has further increased the need for supplementary applications of N fertiliser. The increase in grain legume production also has been partly based on the presumption that grain legumes contribute to the N economy of the following wheat crop. Many experiments throughout the wheat belt show a yield advantage of wheat grown after a grain legume, but these rotation trials also show that the level of productivity of the grain legume has little effect on the yield of the following wheat crop. A review of these experiments suggests that grain legumes, directly, contribute little to the N nutrition of a following wheat crop and their benefit may be from the legume acting as a disease break or providing the opportunity to control grassy weeds.

ALTERNATIVES TO MUCUNA FOR SOIL FERTILITY MANAGEMENT IN SOUTHERN BÉNIN: FARMER PERCEPTION AND USE OF TRADITIONAL AND EXOTIC GRAIN LEGUMES

2003 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 267-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. SCHULZ ◽  
A. N. HONLONKOU ◽  
R. J. CARSKY ◽  
V. M. MANYONG ◽  
B. D. OYEWOLE
Keyword(s):  
Soil Fertility ◽  
Harvest Index ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Grain Legumes ◽  
Mucuna Pruriens ◽  
Soil Fertility Management ◽  
Alternative Technologies ◽  
Legume Production ◽  
Southern Benin

In southern Bénin, the legume cover crop Mucuna pruriens var. utilis has been widely promoted for soil fertility improvement. Recent findings have shown, however, that the majority of farmers have not adopted it, and that alternative technologies are needed that are both attractive to farmers and beneficial in terms of soil fertility. A survey was carried out in southern Bénin to determine farmer perception and use of traditional grain legumes and to assess the adoption potential of new low-harvest-index grain legumes. Grain legumes were shown to be integral components of traditional cropping systems and constituted farmers' most important technology for soil fertility maintenance. More than 80% of respondents expressed interest in testing new, low-harvest-index varieties. Preferred grain characteristics and farmers' culinary preferences for grain legumes varied between locations and need to be taken into account if new germplasm is to be introduced. It is argued that farmers' interest and experience in legume cultivation provide an opportunity for the introduction of alternative legume-based technologies such as low-harvest-index grain legumes and techniques for the detoxification of mucuna seed. In addition, efforts should be made to increase the productivity of current legume production systems and to develop mucuna cultivars with reduced L-dopa content.

Design, assessment and feasibility of legume-based cropping systems in three European regions

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (11) ◽  
pp. 902 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Pelzer ◽  
C. Bourlet ◽  
G. Carlsson ◽  
R. J. Lopez-Bellido ◽  
E. S. Jensen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Grain Legumes ◽  
Environmental Benefits ◽  
Local Context ◽  
Grain Legume ◽  
Mineral N ◽  
Design Assessment ◽  
Chemical Inputs

Grain legumes in cropping systems result in agronomic and environmental benefits. Nevertheless, their areas in Europe have strongly decreased over the past decades. Our aim was to design locally adapted innovative cropping systems including grain legumes for three European local pedoclimatic contexts, to assess their sustainability, and to discuss their feasibility with stakeholders. The methodology included an initial diagnosis of the most frequent cropping systems and local improvement targets in each local context (e.g. improve legume profitability, limit diseases of legumes, reduce intensive use of chemical inputs in cropping systems), the design of innovative legume-based cropping systems during a common workshop, focusing on three aims ((i) decrease pesticide use, (ii) reduce mineral N fertiliser dependency, and (iii) increase yield stability of grain legume crops and other crops of the crop sequence), and their multicriteria sustainability assessment. Stakeholders meetings were organised in each local context to discuss the feasibility of implementing the innovative cropping systems in farmers’ fields (technical implementation of cropping systems and possibility of development of legume sectors). Four to five cropping systems were designed in each local context, with crop sequences longer than references. They included at least two grain legumes (pea, faba bean, chickpea, lentil or lupine), as sole crops or intercropped with cereals. Overall sustainability was similar or improved in 71% of the legume-based cropping systems compared with their corresponding references. Among the designed cropping systems, stakeholders identified feasible ones considering both technical issues and development of legume sectors. The results indicate that reintegrating more grain legumes in the three European local contexts tested will contribute to more sustainable farming systems.

Crop production in a rotation trial at Tarlee, South Australia

1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (7) ◽  
pp. 865 ◽  
Author(s):  
JE Schultz
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Grain Legumes ◽  
Plant Diseases ◽  
Grain Legume ◽  
Wheat Grain ◽  
Potential Yield ◽  
Faba Beans ◽  
Tiller Density

A crop rotation trial was established in 1977 on a hard-setting red-brown earth at Tarlee, South Australia, to monitor the long-term effect of intensive and traditional rotations on soil properties and crop production. The rotations involve wheat alternating with cereals, grain legumes, pasture, and fallow. There are 3 stubble + tillage treatments: remove stubble + cultivate, retain stubble + cultivate, retain stubble + no tillage. Three rates of nitrogen (0,40, 80 kg N/ha as ammonium nitrate) are applied to the wheat. Grain yield varied with seasonal conditions, and water use efficiencies were up to 10 kg/ha. mm. In the more productive rotations, wheat grain yields expressed as a percentage of potential yield tended to increase over time. The best wheat yields were always in rotations that included a grain legume or legume pasture, with additional yield increases in all rotations coming from the use of N fertiliser. By comparison with rotation and N fertiliser effects, there was little effect of the stubble + tillage treatments on grain yield. Most of the yield variations were related to differences in tiller density or grains per ear, with grain weight remaining relatively constant over all seasons. There was a tendency for grain legume yields to decrease over the latter years of the trial, and this was attributed to the build-up of plant diseases through growing the same species on the same plot every second year. Overall, faba beans were the highest yielding grain legume, and the wheat-beans rotation, with 80 kg N/ha on the wheat, gave highest total grain production. Data for residue remaining after harvest indicate that in some years there is less than the desired minimum levels to give adequate protection against erosion, so any grazing of the residues must be carefully managed.

scholarly journals Less meat, more legumes: prospects and challenges in the transition toward sustainable diets in Sweden

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 192-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elin Röös ◽  
Georg Carlsson ◽  
Ferawati Ferawati ◽  
Mohammed Hefni ◽  
Andreas Stephan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Daily Intake ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Meat Consumption ◽  
Climate Impact ◽  
Grain Legumes ◽  
Nutritional Intake ◽  
Folate Intake ◽  
Grain Legume

AbstractThe Western diet is characterized by high meat consumption, which negatively affects the environment and human health. Transitioning toward eating more plant-based products in Western societies has been identified as a key instrument to tackle these problems. However, one potential concern is that radically reducing meat in the current diet might lead to deficiencies in nutritional intake. In this paper, we explore a scenario in which meat consumption in Sweden is reduced by 50% and replaced by domestically grown grain legumes. We quantify and discuss the implications for nutritional intake on population level, consequences for agricultural production systems and environmental performance. The reduction in meat consumption is assumed to come primarily from a decrease in imported meat. We use data representing current Swedish conditions including the Swedish dietary survey, the Swedish food composition database, Statistics Sweden and existing life cycle assessments for different food items. At population level, average daily intake of energy and most macro- and micro-nutrients would be maintained within the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations after the proposed transition (e.g., for protein, fat, zinc, vitamin B12 and total iron). The transition would also provide a considerable increase in dietary fiber and some increase in folate intake, which are currently below the recommended levels. The transition scenario would increase total area of grain legume cultivation from 2.2% (current level) to 3.2% of Swedish arable land and is considered technically feasible. The climate impact of the average Swedish diet would be reduced by 20% and the land use requirement by 23%. There would be a net surplus of approximately 21,500 ha that could be used for bioenergy production, crop production for export, nature conservation, etc. Implementation of this scenario faces challenges, such as lack of suitable varieties for varying conditions, lack of processing facilities to supply functional legume-based ingredients to food industries and low consumer awareness about the benefits of eating grain legumes. In sum, joint efforts from multiple actors are needed to stimulate a decrease in meat consumption and to increase cultivation and use of domestically grown grain legumes.

Grain legume production and their potential for sustainable agriculture in Botswana between 2008 and 2015: a review

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. N. Mashungwa
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Production Management ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Grain Legume ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Pulse Crops

Pulse crops are an integral component of arable agriculture in Botswana, particularly in subsistence farming. The benefits of these crops include provision of nutrition for both human beings and livestock, as well as environmental sustainability needs. Although they have a far reaching socio-economic impact, these benefits have not been adequately characterized for inclusion in endeavors of conservation agriculture in the country. Furthermore, data on pulses are often lumped together without identifying important pulse crops grown in Botswana. The objective of this paper was to review production of pulses and their potential as components in cropping systems and conservation agriculture in Botswana. The data used in this study were obtained from reports of Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MOA), Statistics Botswana, FAOSTAT and other literature sources. With the ongoing changes in climate and predicted increase in incidences of drought, pulses are among crops most relevant to sustainable agriculture. They are among the most versatile because of their variability in cropping duration from early to late maturity. Their consumption ranges from fresh forms to physiologically mature grain.  Pulses play an important role in climate change mitigation through their ability to fix nitrogen, thus reducing dependency on organic and synthetic fertilizers. They use less water from relatively shallow soil and allow for stratified soil water use for companion crops in intercropping or conserve soil water for subsequent crops in rotations. Thus pulses improve both water and nutrient use efficiencies when included in cropping systems. Their production also has a low footprint in both carbon and water. Currently, pulses are among the few highly priced crops in Botswana markets and together with the possibility of replacement of imported grain, investments in their production can generate income and improve livelihood of both farmers and consumers in Botswana. Crop production management technology involves judicious use of integrated nutrient, pest and disease management; appropriate integrated management packages that include pulses can be promoted to ensure sustainable crop production under the adverse impacts of climate change.

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