11 - Role of metabolites in abiotic stress tolerance in legumes

Abstract

Abiotic stresses are an outcome of global climate change and have a direct influence on the crop plants which further have adverse effects on the yields. Plant metabolites, both primary and secondary, are affected by these environmental adversities and their assessment can give a clear picture of stress tolerance abilities of the plants. Legumes are consumed worldwide and have high dependency for nutritional requirement due to their high health benefits. These plants are chief sources of proteins as well as produce high levels of secondary metabolites which add to their economic importance. Plant metabolites, other than being a source of nutrition, also have proven to assist in stress tolerance. Primary metabolites in plants, chiefly carbohydrates, have been studied extensively for their roles in osmotic regulation in relation to abiotic stress management. Similarly, various enzymes, which are proteinaceous in nature, act as antioxidants and are actively involved in defence against various types of stresses. Secondary metabolites including phenolics, flavonoids, various alkaloids, carotenoids are actively involved in inducing tolerance against stressful conditions. The chapter highlights the roles of various plant metabolites, both primary and secondary, in leguminous plants playing important roles in improving tolerance of these plants thereby opening new avenues for plant metabolomic research in connection with abiotic stress protection.