Abstract
In Timor-Leste, most paddy fields are abandoned after rice harvest due to limited water resources for another rice production cycle, particularly in lowland coastal areas. There is substantial scope for including legumes and other crops in the rice–fallow system in Timor-Leste. This study investigated the adaptation of grain legumes to terminal drought. The experiment was undertaken in 2018 and 2019 at field sites in Vemase and Laleia, respectively, on the northeast coast of Timor-Leste. The experiments used a split-plot design with two factors (water treatment and species) and three blocks (Vemase site) or four blocks (Laleia site). In 2018, the water treatments were well-watered control (W0), water withheld from flower initiation to maturity (W1), and water withheld after seedling establishment to maturity (W2). In 2019, the water treatments were well-watered control (W0) and water withheld from flower initiation to maturity (W1). Grain legumes were mungbean and soybean tested against grass pea (cv. Ceora), a well-known drought-adapted grain legume. The measured parameters included soil water content, crop phenology, plant growth and development, yield and yield components. The experiments revealed that mungbean is the most suitable grain legume crop after rice harvest under moderate drought conditions, while soybean is the preferred option under severe drought. Grass pea could be the best adaptive grain legume under severe drought in Timor-Leste when combined with the worsening conditions of climate change.
Highlights
At 28 days after sowing (DAS), the W2 treatment had lower soil water content (0.40 cm3 /cm3 ) than the W1 (12%) and W0 (10.6%) treatments (Figure 2) (p = 0.007)
The volumetric soil water content of W1 and W2 continued to decline until the last measurement at 70 DAS, when they were 24.7% (W1)
The volumetric soil water content by 30.7% and 61.6%, respectively, relative to the well-watered control (W0).of W1 and W2 continued to decline until the last measurement at 70 DAS, when they were 24.7% (W1)
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Food insecurity in Timor-Leste continues during the lean period between November and February/March, for agricultural-dependent farmers in rural areas [1]. Farmers sow maize and other crops at the onset of rain in November, with harvest in February/March. Most farm families have limited food available during this time, with some relying on wild plants and honey [2]. The availability of wild produce can be unreliable, resulting in continuous hunger during this critical period [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
