Inclusion Of Legumes Research Articles

The Effects of Legume Consumption on Markers of Glycaemic Control in Individuals with and without Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Literature Review of Randomised Controlled Trials.

Legumes are a rich source of dietary fibre, plant protein, and low-Glycaemic Index (GI) carbohydrate. Evidence suggests a positive effect on glycaemic control following a single meal; however, the effects of habitual consumption are less clear. This review aimed to investigate whether medium-to-long-term legume consumption had an effect on markers of glycaemic control in individuals with diabetes mellitus, without diabetes mellitus, or with prediabetes. As per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol, the online databases MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and CINAHL were searched from inception through to 31 March 2020. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) ≥6 weeks in duration, reporting ≥1 of the following: fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting blood insulin (FBI), glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), or 2-h postprandial glucose (2-h PPG), were deemed eligible. The overall quality of evidence was determined using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) assessment. A total of 18 RCTs were included, of which, 5 focused on individuals with diabetes mellitus, 12 on individuals without diabetes mellitus, and one on individuals with prediabetes. Only studies of those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (n = 5) reported significant effects for legume interventions, three of which consistently reported reductions in FBG, two reported reductions in HbA1c, one reported a reduction in FBI, and another a reduction in 2-h PPG (p < 0.05); however, the overall quality of evidence was very low. The findings of this review support the dietary inclusion of legumes; however, the need for further high-quality RCTs to be conducted is also highlighted, particularly among individuals with prediabetes, gestational diabetes mellitus and type 1 diabetes mellitus.

ЭФФЕКТИВНОСТЬ ПРИЕМОВ БИОЛОГИЗАЦИИ В ЗВЕНЬЯХ СЕВООБОРОТОВ С ОЗИМОЙ ПШЕНИЦЕЙ В ЛЕСОСТЕПНОЙ ЗОНЕ ПОВОЛЖЬЯ

The performance of the set tasks for the production of the necessary volumes of grain is possible only on the basis of a scientific-based approach to the development of agricultural technologies on a systematic basis. Research aim: to evaluate the effectiveness of methods of biologization of crop rotation links with winter wheat at the expense of grain legumes and organomineral fertilizer systems in conditions of forest-steppe zone of the Volga region. The research was carried out in years long stationary field trial of the department of agriculture, crop production and breeding of FSBEI HE Ulyanovsk SAU in 4-6-month field crop rotations. The objects of study were of crop rotation links with winter wheat: 1) complete fallow-winter wheat; 2) peas - winter wheat; 3) Lupin - winter wheat; 4) Lupin + peas - winter wheat. In the structure of land use, there is still a high share of complete fallow, which has negative environmental consequences. The main reason for the introduction of complete fallows is the preservation of moisture for seeding winter crops. However, our research shows that when replacing complete fallows to grain legumes (peas, white lupine), 23.0-25.0 mm of productive moisture accumulates in the soil before seeding winter wheat, which, if agrotechnical requirements are met, allows you to get seedlings and sufficient development of winter wheat in the autumn period. Despite the higher yield of winter wheat by complete fallow, the productivity of links with legumes was higher. The inclusion of grain legumes in crop rotations as steam-generating crops can be used to eliminate the negative effects of complete fallow. The results obtained allow us to recommend combined tillage that includes soil loosening for grain legumes and surface tillage for winter wheat, as well as to use the organomineral fertilizer system straw + NPK, while the doses of mineral fertilizers are calculated on the planned yield of grain legumes of 2.5-3.0 t/ha and winter wheat - 4.5 t/ha.

A meta-analysis of economic and environmental benefits of conservation agriculture in South Asia

Agriculture plays a key role in ensuring food and livelihood security in South Asia. However, this region is vulnerable to climate change which is likely to impact the livelihoods of millions of marginal and small holders. Agriculture is not only impacted by climate change but also one of the major contributor to global warming in South Asia. As compared to the traditional practices, Conservation Agriculture (CA) practices help mitigate the impact of climate change through a reduction in carbon emission and conservation of natural resources. In this article, a meta-analysis of the important studies was done for the impact of CA on carbon sequestration, water use, greenhouse gas emissions and cost and net returns. Carbon sequestration potential was found significantly higher in the CA practices (+16.30%) as compared to the conventional tillage. Inclusion of legumes, clay-rich soils, irrigation and presence of soil cover are the major drivers for higher carbon sequestration potential in the region. Additionally, a significant amount of water was also saved as CA practices led to relatively less consumption of water over the conventional tillage. Further, the adoption of CA based management practices resulted in a substantial reduction of CO2 (−4.28%) and CH4 (−25.67%) emissions both in aerobic and anaerobic soil conditions. However, the emission of NO2 and N2O–N gases were higher under the CA, +14.45 and + 5.20% respectively. Nevertheless, the emission of N2O–N was lesser in CA (−1.78%) under aerobic conditions whereas it is increased under anaerobic soil conditions (+12.15%). The adoption of CA practices resulted in higher returns and lower costs as compared to the conventional system. Although CA has significant environmental benefits, the study suggests judicious use of inorganic inputs under CA for managing the impact of climate change in South Asia. Therefore, CA is a sustainable agricultural practice that deserves outscaling in South Asia for mitigation and adaptation of climate change.

Diet and nutrient status of legume consumers in Sweden: a descriptive cross-sectional study

BackgroundLegumes are nutrient-dense foods and can be an environmentally sustainable alternative to meat consumption. Data on legume intake are scarce and data on legume consumption in Sweden are lacking. This study investigated dietary intake and dietary patterns, together with iron, vitamin D, and folate status, in relation to legume consumption in Sweden.MethodsCross-sectional dietary and biomarker data (n 1760) from the 2011 Riksmaten national survey were analyzed. All legume foods (including soy) were identified from 4-day dietary records and ferritin, folate, and vitamin D status in a subgroup (n 280). Participants were classified into non-consumers and quartiles of legume intake. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed to uncover dietary patterns associated with legume intake. Partial Least Square (PLS) regression was used to identify variables associated with variations in legume consumption.ResultsLegumes were consumed by 44% of the population, with mean (SD) intake of 138 (84) g/d in the highest and 11 (5) g/d in the lowest quartiles. Among consumers, 6% reported being vegetarian, compared with 0.9% among non-consumers. Legume consumers drank less alcohol, but had higher intakes of energy, dietary fiber, folate, thiamin, and several minerals, and more often met recommended intake levels for folate and fiber, critical nutrients in Sweden. Biomarker status did not differ with legume intake. PCA revealed multiple loadings on legumes that generally reflected healthier eating habits for legume-consuming women. PLS revealed that vegetarianism was most influential for high legume intake. Other influential variables were high fruit, tea, nut, and seed intakes. High intake of meat, sodas, fast foods, and sweet foods, together with omnivorism, were influential for low legume intake. The associations were similar for men and women.ConclusionsThis study supports dietary recommendations on inclusion of legumes in a healthy diet. Greater focus on assessment of legume intake is necessary to explore the population-wide health effects of legumes as sustainable meat alternatives, and to reinforce national nutritional guidelines.

Soil carbon dynamics in Indian Himalayan intensified organic rice-based cropping sequences

Abstract The contribution of soil to supporting, regulating, provisioning and cultural functions as well as its role in the ecosystem services is well-known in the international literature. However, in the domain of organic agriculture, the impact of cropping systems shifts from cereal-cereal to high-frequency diversified cropping sequences with legume as a component crop on soil carbon dynamics is not widely known. In order to identify an alternative cropping system to widely prevalent rice-fallow production system in Himalayan region of India, seven cropping sequences viz., rice -fenugreek (green vegetable) - maize (R-F-M); rice -vegetable pea - maize (R-Vp-M); rice-coriander (leaves)-cowpea (R-C-Cp); rice - fenugreek (green vegetable) - baby corn (R-F-Bc); rice - broccoli - Sesbania (green manuring) (R-B-S); rice - buckwheat (R-Bw) and rice - maize (R-M) were assessed for five consecutive years from 2013 to 2018 for their productivity and resource conservation values. Results revealed that the inclusion of legumes in rice-based sequences increased the rice grain yield by 13.4 to 24.6% over R-M (3.13 Mg ha−1) sequence. The R-B-S sequence had the highest very labile carbon (VLC) (4.6 g kg−1 soil) followed by the R-Vp-M. Relative proportion of various organic carbon fractions in the top 10 cm soil followed the order of VLC (30.2%) > non labile carbon (NLC, 27.6%) > labile carbon (LC, 23.4%) > less labile carbon (LLC, 18.9%). The carbon management index (CMI) was the highest (100.9%) in the R-B-S sequence followed by R-C-Cp (98.0%). The addition of a third crop in the sequence increased the active carbon (AC) pool by 1.1 to 5.8%. The passive carbon (PC) pool was highest in soil under the R-C-Cp sequence (9.15 Mg ha−1) at 0–10 cm soil depth. The carbon retention efficiency under the R-C-Cp cropping sequence was the highest (15.1%) followed by the R-B-S (14.9%). R-B-S and R-C-Cp sequences had 12.5% and 10.6% higher soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) over the R-M sequence, respectively. Similarly, R-B-S and R-C-Cp increased the FDA by 49.6 and 41.8%, and DHA by 135.0% and 103.9%, respectively over R-M sequence. In conclusion, the management of crops from organic agriculture aimed at improving soil ecosystem services, in contrasting degradation of soil health and the decline of SOC, can also have positive effects on crop productivity in the eastern Himalayan region of India as well as all over the world.

Herbage mass, botanical composition, forage nutritive value, and preference of grass–legume pastures under horse grazing

AbstractCool‐season perennial grasses are the foundation of productive horse pastures in the north‐central United States. The addition of legumes in pastures can increase forage mass and digestible energy content, yet little research has investigated grass–legume pastures under horse grazing. The objectives of this research were to evaluate herbage mass, botanical composition, forage nutritive value, and preference of grass–legume pastures under horse grazing. Plots consisting of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), and meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.) were planted in monoculture and in binary mixtures with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) or white clover (Trifolium repens L.) and grazed by horses in Minnesota during the 2013, 2014, and 2015 grazing seasons. Herbage mass, weed mass, and forage nutritive values were determined prior to grazing, and horse preference was evaluated following grazing. When evaluating herbage mass, the inclusion of alfalfa resulted in a consistently higher mass than grass monoculture. Kentucky bluegrass mixtures resulted in a decreased mass of non‐sown (weed) species and an increase in horse preference. Improved forage nutritive values were also observed with the inclusion of legumes regardless of grass species, including higher crude protein and neutral detergent fiber digestibility at 48 h and lower neutral detergent fiber. As a result, using grass–legume mixtures in pastures can provide benefits for grazing horses and pasture productivity.

Forage plant mixture type interacts with soil moisture to affect soil nutrient availability in the short term

AbstractAgricultural intensification within forage systems has reduced grassland floral diversity by promoting ryegrass (Lolium spp.), damaging soil functionality which underpins critical ecosystem services. Diverse forage mixtures may enhance environmental benefits of pastures by decreasing nutrient leaching, increasing soil carbon storage, and with legume inclusion, reduce nitrogen fertilizer input. This UK study reports on how species-rich forage mixtures affect soil carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen at dry, medium and wet soil moisture sites, compared to ryegrass monoculture. Increasing forage mixture diversity (from 1 to 17 species) affected soil carbon at the dry site. No effect of forage mixture on soil phosphorus was found, while forage mixture and site did interact to affect soil nitrate/nitrite availability. Results suggest that forage mixtures could be used to improve soil function, but longer-term studies are needed to conclusively demonstrate environmental and production benefits of high-diversity forages.

Diets selected and growth of steers grazing buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris cv. Gayndah)–Centro (Centrosema brasilianum cv. Oolloo) pastures in a seasonally dry tropical environment

Context Liveweight (LW) gain of grazing cattle in the seasonally dry tropics is usually moderate during the wet season (WS) and declines to slow growth or LW loss during the dry season (DS). Cattle growth can often be improved by inclusion of herbaceous legumes into pastures to improve their nutritional quality. Aims A study examined the quality of the diet selected and the growth of young cattle grazing a buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris)–Centro (Centrosema brasilianum) pasture in a high-rainfall, seasonally dry, tropical environment in northern Australia to relate the diet selected to cattle growth. Methods During three annual cycles, young steers grazed a grass–Centro legume pasture at moderate stocking rate. LW was measured monthly, and diet attributes (legume content, DM digestibility (DMD) and crude protein concentration) were measured fortnightly by near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy analyses of faeces. Pasture available and species were measured twice annually. Key results The annual LW gain and diet attributes followed a consistent profile through the annual cycles. Following the seasonal break, the diet DMD and crude protein concentration increased abruptly to maxima (means 732 and 184 g/kg respectively), and then declined approximately linearly during the remainder of the WS and the wet–dry transition season (TS); DMD decreased by 0.49, 0.74 and 0.88 g/kg units per day. DMD and crude protein averaged 561 and 61 g/kg respectively during the DS. Centro comprised 86–291 g/kg of the pasture on offer, and averaged 283 and 205 g/kg of the diet during the TS and DS, respectively, but only 58 g/kg during the WS. Cattle selected for Centro during the TS and the DS, but not during the WS. Cattle LW gain reflected diet quality averaging 0.86, 0.59 and 0.12 kg/day during the WS, TS and DS respectively. Conclusions The Centro legume contributed substantially to the diet of growing cattle during the TS and DS, but not during the WS. The LW gains of cattle were moderate during the WS and TS, and low during the DS. Implications Centro in a buffel grass pasture contributed substantially to the diet, but nevertheless annual LW gain was only modest (mean 179, range 159–209 kg/annum).

Crop production in Pakistan and low nitrogen use efficiencies

Overuse of nitrogen (N) fertilizer, a crucial productivity factor in world cropping systems, is detrimental to the sustainability of crop production from an economic and environmental perspective. Mean yield, N fertilizer use, partial factor productivity (PFP) of N, N use efficiency (NUE) and N surplus in wheat, cotton and rice production in Pakistan, which account for 75% of total national fertilizer N use, were compared with those for the top producer countries for 2014. Pakistan was among the top four in terms of N use but had low mean yields, with the lowest PFP and NUE and highest N surplus. During 1961–2014 in Pakistan, N fertilizer use and N surplus grew at a much faster pace than mean yields; however, PFP and NUE continued to decline to much lower levels. The great potential for Pakistan to increase NUE lies in agronomic practices other than increasing N fertilization, such as balanced crop nutrition, irrigation management, inclusion of legumes in crop rotations, precision in-season N management and the use of enhanced efficiency fertilizers, as is the case for many other parts of the world. Nitrogen is critical to crop production but its overuse challenges sustainability. This study finds that, despite intense and growing nitrogenous fertilizer use, Pakistan’s crop yields have risen much more slowly than expected.

Legumes increase grassland productivity with no effect on nitrous oxide emissions

AimsGrasslands are important agricultural production systems, where ecosystem functioning is affected by land management practices. Grass-legume mixtures are commonly cultivated to increase grassland productivity while reducing the need for nitrogen (N) fertiliser. However, little is known about the effect of this increase in productivity on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in grass-legume mixtures. The aim of this study was to investigate interactions between the proportion of legumes in grass-legume mixtures and N-fertiliser addition on productivity and GHG emissions. We tested the hypotheses that an increase in the relative proportion of legumes would increase plant productivity and decrease GHG emissions, and the magnitude of these effects would be reduced by N-fertiliser addition.MethodsThis was tested in a controlled environment mesocosm experiment with one grass and one legume species grown in mixtures in different proportions, with or without N-fertiliser. The effects on N cycling processes were assessed by measurement of above- and below-ground biomass, shoot N uptake, soil physico-chemical properties and GHG emissions.ResultsAbove-ground productivity and shoot N uptake were greater in legume-grass mixtures compared to grass or legume monocultures, in fertilised and unfertilised soils. However, we found no effect of legume proportion on N2O emissions, total soil N or mineral-N in fertilised or unfertilised soils.ConclusionsThis study shows that the inclusion of legumes in grass-legume mixtures positively affected productivity, however N cycle were in the short-term unaffected and mainly affected by nitrogen fertilisation. Legumes can be used in grassland management strategies to mitigate climate change by reducing crop demand for N-fertilisers.

Methane production and nitrogen balance of dairy heifers grazing palisade grass cv. Marandu alone or with forage peanut.

Livestock production systems are an essential agribusiness activity in Brazil, but a critical challenge of Brazilian farmers is to maintain the equilibrium of the ecosystem, using herbage resources efficiently with a minimum impact on the environment. Nitrogen (N) fertilization and the inclusion of forage legumes into tropical grass pastures are management strategies which increase the productivity and nutritive value of pastures and may also affect methane (CH4) production by ruminants. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of either fertilizing palisade grass pastures with N or including the forage peanut (Arachis pintoi) into grass pastures on enteric CH4 emission, microbial protein production in the rumen via purine derivatives in the urine, and N balance. Twenty-one nonlactating crossbred dairy heifers were used in a completely randomized design with 3 treatments. The treatments consisted of pastures of palisade grass without N fertilization (control), fertilized with urea (fertilized), and palisade grass mixed with forage peanut (mixed). Seven animals (replications) were used to evaluate dry matter intake, digestibility, CH4 emission, urea, purine derivatives, and volume of urine, and N ingestion and excretion. Four paddocks (replications) were used to measure herbage mass; morphological, botanical, and chemical composition of herbage; and herbage allowance. The CH4 emissions were determined using the sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) tracer gas technique. The efficiency of N utilization (ENU) was calculated using the N balance data. Crude protein (CP) concentration of herbage increased with fertilization or legumes inclusion (P < 0.0001) while neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentration decreased (P = 0.0355). The leaf allowance was higher in the fertilized treatment (P = 0.0294). Only uric acid excretion increased with N fertilization (P = 0.0204). The ENU was not affected by fertilized or mixed compared to control and averaged 55% (P = 0.8945). The enteric CH4 production was similar between treatments and averaged 129 g/d (P = 0.3989). We concluded that the changes in chemical composition of herbage provided by N fertilization or the inclusion of the legume showed no reduction in enteric CH4 emissions, but the ENU was more significant than previous studies with palisade grass, suggesting that different management strategies might alter the ENU under grazing conditions.

Effect of wilting organic pineapple by-products and jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) foliage inclusion on silage fermentation and its nutritive value

Effect of wilting organic pineapple by-products (PBP) and Canavalia ensiformis foliage inclusion on silage ensilability and nutritive value after 30 days of storage were investigated at laboratory scale. A total of 24 silages per batch were prepared from a mixture of organic PBP and C. ensiformis foliage. Pineapple by-products were ensiled either fresh or wilted with 4 levels (0, 100, 200, 300 g/kg DM) of C. ensiformis foliage inclusion at room temperature of 25 ± 3.6 °C. Wilting PBP and increasing inclusion levels of C. ensiformis decreased (P < 0.001) dry matter (DM) losses but increased (P < 0.001) DM and crude protein (CP) content of silages. However, the effect of wilting on DM loss depended (P < 0.05) on inclusion levels of C. ensiformis. In both silages, neutral detergent fibre (NDFom) decreased linearly (P < 0.01) with increasing levels of C. ensiformis. Silage from wilted PBP had less (P < 0.05) ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) compared to silage from fresh PBP. In both silages, lactic acid increased at a decreasing rate (P < 0.01) with increasing levels of C. ensiformis and its optimal level of inclusion was 100 g/kg DM. Although volatile fatty acids were not affected (P > 0.05) by C. ensiformis inclusion, wilting decreased (P < 0.05) acetic acid contents. Cumulative net gas production (GP) of silage from wilted PBP increased following a quadratic trend (P < 0.05) with increasing levels of C. ensiformis. Although polynomial contrasts were able to provide trends based on the apriori fixed inclusion points of C. ensiformis, regression analysis showed that optimal levels for most response parameters overlapped in the range of 100–170 g/kg DM. Consequently, the greatest cumulative GP of silage from wilted PBP was recorded at 150 g/kg DM level of C. ensiformis inclusion. Metabolizable energy (ME) and net energy contents of lactation (NEL) increased at a decreasing rate (P < 0.05) with increasing level of C. ensiformis for the silage from wilted PBP. Maximum value for NEL of silage from wilted PBP was obtained at 170 g/kg DM level of C. ensiformis inclusion. Similarly, in vitro organic matter digestibility for the silage from wilted PBP followed a quadratic trend (P < 0.05) with the greatest recorded at 168 g/kg DM level of C. ensiformis inclusion. Inclusion of C. ensiformis foliage improves in vitro fermentation quality as well as nutritive value of PBP silage, and most parameters showed optimum values, which overlapped within the ranges of 100 to 170 g/kg DM levels of the legume inclusion.

Grain legume inclusion in cereal–cereal rotation increased base crop productivity in the long run

AbstractSustainability of cereal-based cropping systems remains crucial for food security in South Asia. However, productivity of cereal–cereal rotations has declined in the long run, demonstrating the need for a sustainable alternative. Base crop, that is, common crop in different crop rotations, productivity could be used as a sustainability indicator for the assessment of different long-term crop rotations. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of grain legume inclusion in lowland rice–wheat (R-W) and upland maize–wheat (M-W) rotation on system’s base crop (rice in lowland and wheat in upland crop rotations) productivity and sustainability and also in soil fertility. Mung bean (April–May) inclusion in R-W rotation increased rice grain yield by 10–14%. In upland, mung bean inclusion in M-W rotation increased wheat grain yield by 5–11%. Replacing wheat with chickpea in R-W rotation increased rice grain yield by 5–8%. Increased base crop productivity in legume inclusive rotations was attributed to significant improvement in panicle (rice) or spike (wheat) attributes. Increased soil organic carbon and available nitrogen and phosphorus in the legume inclusive rotations significantly influenced the base crop productivity in both the production systems. Among the crop rotations, R-W-Mb (in lowland) and M-W-Mb (in upland) rotations had the highest system productivity and net return. Therefore, intensification/diversification of cereal–cereal rotations with grain legume could improve soil fertility and sustain crop productivity.

The state of soil fertility during long-term use of fertilizers in agrocenosis

The long-term stationary experiment (1981-2011) on meadow-Chernozem soil has shown that the systematic application of mineral fertilizers and straw, the inclusion of perennial legumes in the crop rotation stabilizes the humus content and increases the supply of labile organic matter in the soil. The humus content in the fertilized variants increased by 0.16-0.30 %, and the content of easily mineralized organic matter by 24-86%. High correlation dependence (r=81) of humus content on mortmass reserves in soil confirms the significant role of labile organic matter in soil fertility preservation.

Assessing Sensory Characteristics and Consumer Preference of Legume-Cereal-Root Based Porridges in Nandi County

Previously, porridge has been cereal based, consumed as a beverage or weaning food. Malnutrition among children has necessitated inclusion of legumes and roots in an effort to boost nutrient density. Therefore, the current study aimed at identifying the most acceptable porridge based on different food ingredient combination. Composite porridge flour included legumes (soybean, groundnut, and lablab), cereals (finger millet, sorghum, maize, and wheat), pseudocereals (pumpkin seed, buckwheat, and amaranth seed), and roots (cassava and arrowroot). New composite porridge flours were formulated using Nutrisurvey linear programming software. Different composite flours formulated to target either school-going children or a family setup were subjected to sensory analysis and the consumer preference test. Eight new formulations were developed. Buckwheat, wheat, and arrowroot were eliminated, maize and lablab content (%) were reduced, and cassava and finger were increased in the new formulations. A total of 149 participants composed of men (30.9%) and women (69.1%) aged between 11 and &gt;60 yrs were interviewed. Newly formulated porridges were more preferred to the previous porridge formulations on color (40–54.2%), smell (40–52.4%), taste (41.5–47.5%), texture (58.3%), viscosity (35.4–45.8%), and overall acceptability (35–54.2%). The most cited reason for liking or disliking a particular porridge was taste (38.9%) and texture (32.2%), respectively. However, all the sensory attributes positively correlated with overall acceptability. Increased finger millet and cassava proportions in the newly formulated composite porridge flour highly influenced their high acceptability. Thus, consumer acceptability of new products is key for their adoption.

Transitions to greater legume inclusion in cropland: Defining opportunities and estimating benefits for the nitrogen economy

AbstractGrain legumes have declined to a low base in many regions of intensified agriculture yet have the potential both to safeguard food security and satisfy rising ethical demands from food consumers. Here, the scope for legume expansion is examined in a long‐established agricultural region in eastern Scotland where grain legumes declined to &lt;0.3% of cropped area in the 1930s and now vary around 1%. Data from the EU's Integrated Administrative and Control System (IACS) were combined with national agricultural survey to resolve uncertainties over possible restrictions to expansion following 20th‐century intensification. The grain legumes, peas and beans for animal and human consumption, were found to occupy six crop‐grass systems covering a wide range of agronomic input and geographical location. The phase of agricultural intensification between 1950 and 1990 had widened rather than restricted the systems in which they occur and could expand. Moreover, the diversity of the crop‐grass systems provides scope for complementary expansion of several products such as beans for aquaculture, pulses for human consumption, and peas for stockfeed without diminishing the areas of the most profitable crops. Among crop systems, N inputs following 20% legume inclusion would fall from the current 178 to 140 kg/ha (78.6%) at the high‐input end of the range and from 92 to 71 kg/ha (77.0%) at the low‐input end. Further reductions to 50%–60% of the existing N input to intensive crop sequences were estimated assuming a residual fixed nitrogen of 50–75 kg/ha and legume inclusion of 33%. Legume expansion would also bring a range of environmental benefits across all crop‐grass systems. While analysis using IACS brought many insights, major limitations to estimating national N‐balances were identified in lack of data on residual N following legumes, in imported animal feed and in the contribution of forage legumes to grassland.

Legume-maize rotation effect on maize productivity and soil fertility parameters under selected agronomic practices in a sandy loam soil

Inclusion of legumes in cropping systems is essential for sustainable management of farming systems and reducing the nitrogen (N) fertilizer requirement for maize production. The study evaluated the effect of growing legumes (soybean, cowpea and velvet bean) and maize the same year in rotation, on maize yield and soil fertility indices. The agronomic practices implemented were residue management (residue added and residue removed) and fertilizer N application (0 kg N ha−1 and 60 kg N ha−1) under four rotation systems. The result showed that growing velvet bean the same year in rotation with maize was effective in increasing maize yield and improving some soil fertility indices over growing maize after maize the same year in the same location. Compared to maize monocropping, over 100% increase in maize yield was obtained with velvet bean-maize rotation even in absence of residue incorporation. In addition, velvet bean-maize rotation increased maize yield over cowpea- and soybean- maize rotations. The rotation effect occurred as a result of improvement in soil nitrogen, avail phosphorus (P), exchangeable magnesium (exch Mg) and effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC). Grain legumes-maize rotations equally increased maize yield over sole maize. Generally legume-maize rotations increased total N, avail P, exch K, Mg and effective cation exchange capacity over sole maize. Crop residue incorporation and N fertilizer application significantly improved soil N and maize grain yield (0.18%, 2.74 tha−1 in 2008; 0.22%, 1.16 tha−1 in 2009 and 0.19%, 2.72 tha−1 in 2008; 1.35 tha−1 in 2009 respectively) over non-residue incorporation (0.16% and 1.84 tha−1 in 2008, 0.66 tha−1 in 2009) and zero N application (0.16% and 1.83 tha−1 in 2008 and 0.17% and 0.85 tha−1 in 2009). Therefore, velvet bean could be planted the same season with subsequent maize in rotation cropping for intensive sustainable maize production in sandy-loam soils without fertilizer N. For grain legumes such as soybean and cowpea to be effective in rotation cropping with maize, the grain legumes have to be planted early before the full set of rain because excess rain would affect their growth and development.

The Use of Residue Retention and Inclusion of Legumes to Improve Soil Biological Activity in Maize-Based No-Till Systems of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

The common practice of maize monoculture combined with non-retention of crop residue limits the soil health status of the African smallholder’s no-till systems. Therefore, the study evaluated crop rotation and residue management effects on soil health indicators: particulate organic matter (POM), soil organic carbon (SOC), microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and activities of fluorescein diacetate, β-glucosidase, arylamidase and acid phosphates under no-till at Phandulwazi and University of Fort Hare (UFH) representing sub-humid and semi-arid, respectively. The crop rotations; maize (Zea mays L.)–fallow–maize (MFM), maize–fallow–soybean (Glycine max L.) (MFS); maize–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–maize (MWM) and maize–wheat–soybean (MWS) and residue managements; removal (R−) and retention (R+) were evaluated. The UFH consistently had higher mean values of the soil health indicators across the treatments compared to Phandulwazi. Contrast analysis showed significant (P MFS > MWM > MFM across the sites. The improvements in soil biological parameters indicated a potential for soil health and soil quality improvement with the adoption of residue retention and legume rotations in the maize-based no-till systems in the semi-arid and sub-humid agro-ecologies of the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Quality characteristics and nutrient yields of maize and legume forages under changing intercropping row ratios

Availability of green fodder with improved quality to animals is the key to success for sustainable livestock production. It is difficult to maintain the health and milk production of the livestock without supply of the quality green fodder. Therefore, the study was carried out to evaluate the forage quality of maize and legumes as influenced by varying intercropping combinations. This experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with seven treatments consisting of three different forage crops, viz. maize, cowpea and guar sown in sole as well as in 1:1 and 2:1 intercropping combinations of forage cereal with legume crop components in three replications. Experimental results showed that the highest dry matter yield (94.89 q/ha) was obtained in maize+ cowpea (2:1) intercropping combinations. The quality parameters of different forage crops, viz. Organic Matter, Crude Protein, Ether Extract, Ash Content, Neutral Detergent Fiber, Acid Detergent Fiber, Acid Detergent Lignin, NDICP and ADICP were influenced significantly and favourably with inclusion of both legumes. Among intercropping combinations Maize: legume (1:1) was better over Maize: legume (2:1) and sole maize. The CP, EE and Ash yield were influenced significantly and maximum value were observed 10.74, 1.99 and 9.4 q/ha, respectively in forage maize+ cowpea (2:1) ratio. Among the different forage crops, the fiber fractions were observed minimum in (1:1) intercropping ratio of maize with legume components as compares to their sole component as well as (2:1) intercropping combinations. The insoluble crude protein content was found minimum in (1:1) intercropping combination and influenced significantly with their respective (2:1) or sole crop.

Legume Proportion in Grassland Litter Affects Decomposition Dynamics and Nutrient Mineralization

Core Ideas Grass reduced lag phase and increased legume decomposition in mixtures relative to monocultures. Factors besides litter chemical composition, such as microbial diversity, affected decomposition. Legume treatments were enriched and grass monoculture depleted in δ13C during decomposition. Availability of C, and to a greater extent N, decreased during decomposition. ABSTRACTThe impact of legume inclusion on the decomposition of aboveground plant litter in grasslands is not well understood. Our objective was to quantify litter decomposition and nutrient disappearance from ‘Pensacola’ bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) as affected by N fertilizer or proportion of ‘Florigraze’ rhizoma peanut (Arachis glabrata Benth.) in litter. Five litter treatments (unfertilized bahiagrass [BG], bahiagrass receiving 60 kg N ha−1 [BGN], rhizoma peanut and bahiagrass mixtures in 33–67% and 67–33% proportions [RP33 and RP67, respectively], and pure rhizoma peanut [RP]) were incubated for 128 d during each of 2 yr. Decomposition followed a logistic curve with a linear decay between initial and final lag phases. Litter treatment did not affect decomposition rate, but RP33 litter decomposed to a greater extent than BG (35 and 43% remaining biomass, respectively) due to a longer linear decay period for RP33. At the end of incubation, only 25% of the initial rhizoma peanut component litter mass remained for RP33, whereas 35 and 39% remained for RP67 and RP. Bahiagrass decomposition was not affected by the presence of legume. Bahiagrass monocultures showed δ13C depletion, and all legume‐containing treatments showed δ13C enrichment during incubation. After incubation, there was less N in legume litter treatments despite similar chemical characteristics to BGN, indicating that other factors, such as microbial diversity, affected mixture decomposition. Recalcitrance of C and especially N increased during decomposition. We conclude that N return from mixed legume–grass litter is superior to that of unfertilized grass and equal or superior to that of moderately N‐fertilized grass.