Abstract
Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is the most important legume for human consumption worldwide and an important source of vegetable protein, minerals, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds. The N2-fixation capacity of this crop reduces its demand for synthetic N fertilizer application to increase yield and quality. Fertilization, yield, and quality of common bean may be optimised by several other agronomic practices such as irrigation, rhizobia application, sowing density, etc. Taking this into consideration, a systematic review integrated with a bibliometric analysis of several agronomic practices that increase common bean yield and quality was conducted, based on the literature published during 1971–2021. A total of 250 publications were found dealing with breeding (n = 61), sowing density and season (n = 14), irrigation (n = 36), fertilization (n = 27), intercropping (n = 12), soilless culture (n = 5), tillage (n = 7), rhizobia application (n = 36), biostimulant/biofertilizer application (n = 21), disease management (n = 15), pest management (n = 2) and weed management (n = 14). The leading research production sites were Asia and South America, whereas from the Australian continent, only four papers were identified as relevant. The keyword co-occurrence network analyses revealed that the main topics addressed in relation to common bean yield in the scientific literature related to that of “pod”, “grain”, “growth”, “cultivar” and “genotype”, followed by “soil”, “nitrogen”, “inoculation”, “rhizobia”, “environment”, and “irrigation”. Limited international collaboration among scientists was found, and most reported research was from Brazil. Moreover, there is a complete lack in interdisciplinary interactions. Breeding for increased yield and selection of genotypes adapted to semi-arid environmental conditions combined with the suitable sowing densities are important agronomic practices affecting productivity of common bean. Application of fertilizers and irrigation practices adjusted to the needs of the plants according to the developmental stage and selection of the appropriate tillage system are also of high importance to increase common bean yield and yield qualities. Reducing N-fertilization via improved N-fixation through rhizobia inoculation and/or biostimulants application appeared as a main consideration to optimise crop performance and sustainable management of this crop. Disease and weed management practices appear neglected areas of research attention, including integrated pest management.
Highlights
Climate change related stresses, such as drought, salinity, soil compaction and heat, along with environmental pollution related stresses, limit the world’s crop yield and yield qualities, thereby leading to major socioeconomic and food insecurity [1]
During the implementation of the protocol, only two bibliographic databases (ISI Web of ScienceTM and ScopusTM) were used to identify studies related to the agronomic practices that increase the yield and yield qualities of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
The results of this study revealed that when the common bean is cultivated as the main crop, the S1B3 treatment under weedy conditions was the best intercropping pattern to limit the negative effects of weeds on common bean seed yield
Summary
Climate change related stresses, such as drought, salinity, soil compaction and heat, along with environmental pollution related stresses, limit the world’s crop yield and yield qualities, thereby leading to major socioeconomic and food insecurity [1]. By developing efficient resource use and sustainable agronomic practices for crop-fertilization, irrigation and protection, a significant reduction in the demand for synthetic chemical fertilizers, fresh water and chemical pesticides in agriculture could be achieved without compromising yield and quality [4]. Bio-based agronomic practices for primary production, offering a morepositive impact on ecologically functions and economical sustainability, could serve as excellent strategies towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), i.e., limiting malnutrition and achieving food security [2]. Such practices can preserve natural resources, natural functions, and reduce crop management costs in agriculture. The use of chemical pesticides is significantly reduced, with potential benefits for beneficial microbes and the environment [13,14]
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