Legume Production Research Articles

Sustainability of nutrient management in grain production systems of south-west Australia

Balancing nutrient inputs and exports is essential to maintaining soil fertility in rainfed crop and pasture farming systems. Soil nutrient balances of land used for crop and pasture production in the south-west of Western Australia were assessed through survey data comprising biophysical measurements and farm management records (2010–15) across 184 fields spanning 14 Mha. Key findings were that nitrogen (N) inputs via fertiliser or biological N2 fixation in 60% of fields, and potassium (K) inputs in 90% of fields, were inadequate to balance exports despite increases in fertiliser usage and adjustments to fertiliser inputs based on rotations. Phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S) balances were positive in most fields, with only 5% returning losses >5 kg P or 7 kg S/ha. Within each of the three agroecological zones of the survey, fields that had two legume crops (or pastures) in 5 years (i.e. 40% legumes) maintained a positive N balance. At the mean legume inclusion rate observed of 20% a positive partial N budget was still observed for the Northern Agricultural Region (NAR) of 2.8 kg N/ha.year, whereas balances were negative within the Central Agricultural Region (CAR) by 7.0 kg N/ha.year, and the Southern Agricultural Region (SAR) by 15.5 kg N/ha.year. Hence, N budgets in the CAR and SAR were negative by the amount of N removed in ~0.5 t wheat grain, and continuation of current practices in CAR and SAR fields will lead to declining soil fertility. Maintenance of N in the NAR was achieved by using amounts of fertiliser N similar to other regions while harvesting less grain. The ratio of fertiliser N to legume-fixed N added to the soil in the NAR was twice that of the other regions. Across all regions, the ratio of fertiliser N to legume-fixed N added to the soil averaged ~4.0:1, a major change from earlier estimates in this region of 1:20 under ley farming systems. The low contribution of legume N was due to the decline in legume inclusion rate (now 20%), the low legume content in pastures, particularly in the NAR, and improved harvest index of lupin (Lupinus angustifolius), the most frequently grown grain legume species. Further quantifications of the effects of changing farming systems on nutrient balances are required to assess the balances more accurately, thereby ensuring that soil fertility is maintained, especially because systems have altered towards more intensive cropping with reduced legume production.

Income and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission trade-offs on smallholder farms at two sites in northern Nigeria

This study analyses the trade-offs between welfare (measured by income) and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using a farm-level optimisation model that incorporates the predominant cereal (sorghum), legumes (groundnut, soybeans), livestock (cattle, goats and sheep) and trees (locust bean, camel’s foot) representative of production systems at two contrasting sites in northern Nigeria. The optimisation model maximises the value of total farm production, subject to constraints on GHG reductions of 10%, 25% and the maximum reductions that allow households to meet minimum consumption requirements. Substantive reductions in livestock and legume production would be required to achieve the maximum possible reductions from current emissions and would reduce household income by 22% and 44%, respectively. Under current production practices, reductions in GHG emissions reduce household income, which suggests the need for further research on productivity-enhancing technologies that could both enhance income and reduce GHG emissions in these production contexts.

Trends of development of agricultural enterprises specializing in plant production in Ukraine

The paper defines the structural distribution of sown area of crops. The dynamics of production of cereals and legumes, sugar beets, sunflowers, potatoes, vegetables, fruits and berries. The clustering of regions of Ukraine under similar conditions of development of the enterprises of the agricultural sector specializing in crop production is carried out. According to the results of the analysis, 3 clusters were identified, which gave rise to the possibility of forming (developing) joint effective organizational and economic mechanisms to enhance the development of crop enterprises, favorable for implementation within the cluster. In the course of this study, we focus on the development trends of enterprises specializing in crop products. The lion's share (54.7 %) of sown areas falls on cereals and legumes. Technical crops occupy, which is 32.6 %, and potatoes, vegetables and melons – 6.5 %. It is important to note the long-term positive dynamics of production of cereals and legumes and the growth of production can be traced to all categories of farms – in farms and households. The production of sunflower and vegetable crops was also marked by positive dynamics. The decrease was observed in the production of sugar beets, potatoes, fruit and berry crops. In the context of the study, it is important to identify similar conditions (environment, resources, etc.) for the development of agricultural enterprises between the regions of Ukraine. For this purpose, multifactor statistical analysis (cluster analysis) of key factors of their development was used on the basis of a matrix of 25 selected indicators of development of enterprises specializing in crop production in all regions (600 indicators). To enhance the objectivity of the results, the analysis was conducted in 2010, 2015 and 2019. According to the results of the analysis, taxonomic groups (clusters) were singled out, which made it possible to single out similar regional conditions within each group. Since 2010, there have been significant changes in the regional distribution of Ukraine's agricultural potential. However, during 2015–2019 there is a relative stability in terms of resource provision and use within specific clusters. According to the results of the analysis, three clusters are distinguished: I. Volyn, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Rivne, Chernivtsi, as well as Donetsk and Luhansk regions. II. Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyr, Zaporizhia, Kyiv, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Ternopil, Kharkiv, Kherson, Khmelnytsky regions. III. Vinnytsia, Kirovohrad, Poltava, Sumy, Cherkasy and Chernihiv regions.

Ecological efficiency of post-harvest processing of grain during the use of combined solar and wind energy systems

With increasing production of cereals and legumes, the amount of energy used during their post-harvest processing increases, and, consequently, greenhouse gas emissions from the consumption and production of such energy increase. Since post-harvest processing of grain is one of the energy-intensive processes in agricultural production, and the greatest use of energy in this process is grain drying, the purpose of this study is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electricity consumption in post-harvest processing of grain by using combined solar and wind energy systems meeting the needs of low-temperature drying of grain. Installations that use this process are active ventilation hoppers. Power supply of such systems is accompanied by indirect emissions of carbon dioxide from electricity consumption. It is established that one of the ways to reduce the emission of such gases, as well as to ensure the reliability and energy efficiency of low-temperature grain drying in active ventilation systems is the use of wind energy and solar radiation. To compare environmental efficiency, it was determined that the criterion for the effectiveness of combined solar and wind energy systems to improve the process of lowtemperature drying of grain is a direct environmental criterion for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from electricity consumption. It is established that the ecological effect of reducing carbon dioxide emissions depends on the levels of autonomy of the use of combined solar and wind energy systems and the amount of electricity consumed in the process of lowtemperature drying of grain. Theoretically, it is calculated that the use of such systems for the supply of active ventilation bunkers can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from 122.7 to 16,564.5 kg·CO2 with lowtemperature drying of grain from 25 to 225 tonnes of grain per year. The practical value of this study is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions during low-temperature drying of grain through the use of combined solar and wind energy systems

CURRENT STATE OF THE GRAIN MARKET AND TRENDS OF ITS DEVELOPMENT

The article outlines the role of the grain market, assesses its condition, identifies trends and develops new scientific approaches to strategic areas of improvement and development of the grain market, which will help overcome the information asymmetry of the market environment.It is noted that the grain market forms the basis of food security and significantly affects the living standards of the population, so qualitative and quantitative indicators of its condition, development trends are of strategic importance for the entire national economy, as it is a crucial prerequisite for sustainable growth. It is substantiated that the need for state regulation of the grain market is associated with the rapid growth of production of cereals and legumes, which generates additional challenges and problems, among which are the following: intensification of competition in global markets; lower world prices and, accordingly, falling export revenues; lack of capacity and storage space for reliable storage and quality processing of grain and their obsolescence; logistical capacity of domestic ports and rail transport; limited distribution channels; modern agricultural innovative technologies, providing high productivity, contribute to increasing unemployment in rural areas; low capacity of processing plants; deformation of traditional production chains. In addition, it should be emphasized that the COVID-19 pandemic has provoked a decline in incomes. The following directions of development of the grain market are defined: increase of transparency of the grain market; strengthening the importance of the state agent in the grain market; expansion of grain export channels; diversification of grain use areas; expanding the financial capabilities of grain producers; improving information support for the functioning of the grain market; increasing the effectiveness of state support programs; establishment of reliable distribution channels; assistance in entering world grain markets; formation of a protectionist environment for domestic grain market participants; creation of a favorable regulatory field for grain producers; timely provision of necessary public services in a pandemic.

Actinomycetes Enrich Soil Rhizosphere and Improve Seed Quality as well as Productivity of Legumes by Boosting Nitrogen Availability and Metabolism.

The use of actinomycetes for improving soil fertility and plant production is an attractive strategy for developing sustainable agricultural systems due to their effectiveness, eco-friendliness, and low production cost. Out of 17 species isolated from the soil rhizosphere of legume crops, 4 bioactive isolates were selected and their impact on 5 legumes: soybean, kidney bean, chickpea, lentil, and pea were evaluated. According to the morphological and molecular identification, these isolates belong to the genus Streptomyces. Here, we showed that these isolates increased soil nutrients and organic matter content and improved soil microbial populations. At the plant level, soil enrichment with actinomycetes increased photosynthetic reactions and eventually increased legume yield. Actinomycetes also increased nitrogen availability in soil and legume tissue and seeds, which induced the activity of key nitrogen metabolizing enzymes, e.g., glutamine synthetase, glutamate synthase, and nitrate reductase. In addition to increased nitrogen-containing amino acids levels, we also report high sugar, organic acids, and fatty acids as well as antioxidant phenolics, mineral, and vitamins levels in actinomycete treated legume seeds, which in turn improved their seed quality. Overall, this study shed the light on the impact of actinomycetes on enhancing the quality and productivity of legume crops by boosting the bioactive primary and secondary metabolites. Moreover, our findings emphasize the positive role of actinomycetes in improving the soil by enriching its microbial population. Therefore, our data reinforce the usage of actinomycetes as biofertilizers to provide sustainable food production and achieve biosafety.

Identification and resistant characterization of legume sources against Meloidogyne incognita

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs; Meloidogyne spp.) are becoming a serious problem in legume production. This study identified Vigna genotypes exhibiting resistance to M. incognita (RKN) and characterized the modes of the resistance to M. incognita. In total, 279 accessions from 21 Vigna species were screened for resistance based on a galling index (GI) and an egg mass index (EI). Seven accessions were highly resistant to RKN with GI≤25, namely JP74716 (V. mungo var. mungo; cultivated black gram), JP107881 (V. nepalensis), JP229392 (V. radiata var. sublobata; wild mungbean), AusTRCF118141 (V. unguiculata subsp. unguiculata; cultivated cowpea), AusTRCF306385 (V. unguiculata subsp. unguiculata), AusTRCF322090 (V. vexillata var. vexillata; wild zombi pea) and JP235929 (V. vexillata var. vexillata). JP229392 and AusTRCF322090 were the most resistant accessions having EI values of 18.74 and 1.88, respectively. Continuous culture of M. incognita on both JP229392 and AusTRCF322090 resulted in a weakness in pathogenic ability for this RKN. The resistance in JP229392 and AusTRCF322090 to RKN appeared to be antibiosis that was associated with reduced nematode penetration, retardation of nematode development and impeding giant cell formation. The Vigna germplasm resistance to RKN identified in this study could be utilized as gene sources for the development of RKN-resistant Vigna cultivars.

Integrated crop management technology for enhanced productivity, resource-use efficiency and soil health in legumes – A review

Under impeding production–and resource–vulnerabilities in India, our approach to agriculture needs to be redefined with inclination towards climate resilient integrated crop and resource management (ICRM) having low risk vulnerability, high factor productivity and sustained farm profitability with safe food and environmental quality. In above context, integrated crop management (ICM) practices hold great potential which take into account economic, social and environment sustainability. In irrigated agro-ecosystem of Indo-Gangetic Plains Region (IGPR), continuous cultivation of rice-wheat cropping system (RWCS) with intensive input use has caused a serious threat to agricultural sustainability with numerous production constraints. In order to diversify the IGPR production systems, pulses and other legumes like soybean and pigeonpea etc. hold great promises. Thus, legume-based cropping systems coupled with ICM practices may bring overall sustainability in IGPR. As per FAO, ICM is a recent concept in agriculture. ICM practices are the integrated technology package of appropriate site-specific crop management, integrated nutrient management, crop residue recycling, tillage management, water management, crop diversification/legume intervention, varietal selection, crop protection, energy saving and post-harvest management. Overall, this review paper highlights sufficient research findings which establish the superiority of ICM practices; in addition, it invokes for further strengthening of this research area for improving agricultural productivity, resource use efficiency and soil health with special reference to legume crops.

Nodulation and biological nitrogen fixation in soybean (Glycine max L.) as influenced by phosphorus fertilization and arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculation

Abstract Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can be used to promote the productivity of legumes on phosphorus- (P) deficient soils. The present study investigates the inoculation effects of three AMF species (Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizophagus intraradices, and Claroideoglomus etunicatum) and the control (uninoculated) on nitrogen fixation efficiency and growth performance of tropical soybean cultivar (TGx1448-2E) under varying P fertilizer rates (0, 20, and 40 kg P2O5 ha−1) in a derived savannah of Nigeria. The results showed that shoot and root dry matter, number of nodules, relative ureide abundance (RUA), nitrogen derived from atmosphere (Ndfa), total N fixed, shoot P uptake, grain, and biomass yield significantly increased with AMF inoculation, with better performance observed in plants inoculated with Rhizophagus intraradices and Funneliformis mosseae compared to Claroideoglomus etunicatum. Similarly, the soybean growth variables, P uptake, and nitrogen fixation activities increased with increasing P application rates. Conversely, AMF root colonization significantly reduced with increasing P rate. Interaction of AMF inoculation and P rates significantly influenced soybean growth and nitrogen fixation. R. intraradices inoculation with 20 kg P2O5 ha−1 resulted in the highest amount of RUA, Ndfa, N fixed, and grain yield. It could be concluded from this study that R. intraradices with moderate P rate could be used to enhance nodulation, nitrogen fixation, and soybean yield in P-deficient soils.

Complete Genome Sequencing Provides Novel Insight Into the Virulence Repertories and Phylogenetic Position of Dry Beans Pathogen Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens.

Bacterial wilt of dry beans (family Fabaceae) caused by the actinobacterial agent Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens is one of the most important diseases threatening edible legume production around the globe. Despite the economic losses due to the bacterial wilt disease, the pathogen has not so far been investigated for its genomic features, pathogenicity determinants, and virulence strategies. Here we present the first complete genome sequence of a highly virulent bacteriocin-producing C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens strain P990. The bacterium has a circular chromosome consisting of 3,736 kbp with the G+C% content of 71.0%. Furthermore, a 147-kbp circular plasmid (pCff1) with 66.1% G+C% content as well as two circular plasmid-like DNAs with sizes of 25 and 22 kbp were detected within the genomic contents of C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that only a few number of Curtobacterium sp. strains deposited in the public databases could be classified within the species C. flaccumfaciens. Comparative genomics of C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens using the genome sequences of actinobacterial plant pathogens revealed the presence of a set of unique low G+C% content genomic islands in the C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens genome. Homologs of pathogenicity-determinant loci capable of producing 1,4-beta-xylanase (xysA), pectate lyase (pelA1 and pelA2), serine protease (chpC, chpG, and pat-1), and sortase (srtA) were detected in C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens genome. The genomic data presented here extend our understanding of the C. flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens genomic features and pave the ways of research on functional and interaction genetics to combat the risk of bacterial wilt disease in the 21st century's dry bean industry.

Increases in forage legume biomass as a response to nitrogen input depend on temperature, soil characters and planting system: A meta‐analysis

AbstractAlthough the effects of nitrogen (N) on forage legume productivity have been well‐studied, there is still some debate as to whether the supply of additional N is essential to support higher forage legume yields. Here, a meta‐analysis was conducted to synthesize the effects of N fertilization on forage legume biomass across different climates, soil types and planting system. The results showed that forage legume biomass in pure stands generally increased after N addition and was positively correlated with plant accumulation of N, phosphorus and potassium. The direction and magnitude of forage legume biomass responses in pure stands were influenced by accumulated temperature during growth stage and soil characters including organic matter, pH and N availability. Soil pH was positively correlated while other factors were negatively correlated with forage legume biomass response. Increases in forage legume biomass were greater at sites where accumulated temperatures were lower than 2,000°C. N addition did not contribute to higher forage legume biomass in acidic soil and when soil N availability was high (e.g. soil total N content higher than 0.9 g/kg and N addition rate higher than 200 kg/ha). Moreover, forage legume biomass was negatively affected in mixed systems which was independent of N application rate. In conclusion, this meta‐analysis highlights the importance of considering temperature, soil characters and planting system when evaluating the necessity of N application during forage legume production.

Probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria isolated from traditionally fermented legume products of Western Kenya

Fermentation as a processing technique has been used for a long time by people of Western Kenya to improve the quality of raw food material. During fermentation, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) synthesize vitamins and minerals, produce biologically active peptides with enzymes such as proteinase and peptidase, and remove some ant-nutrients. The medicinal and i¬‚avor enhancing properties of fermented foods are due to the presence of probiotics. This study aims at isolating and biochemically characterizing potential probiotic lactic acid bacteria from spontaneously fermented legume-based products from two locations in Vihiga County; Emuhaya and Mbale, Kenya. The results from the findings are presumptive indicator of probiotic bacteria in fermented legumes. RC0PU2, SB0PU3 and CP0PU1 isolated form Emuhaya can survive at low pH of 2 while SB0PU3 and CP0PU1 in addition can survive a salt concentration of 3%. SB0PU3 and CPOPU2 and RC0PU2, SB0PU2 and CPOPU3 can grow at high temperature of 45°C. RC0PU2, SB0PU2, GG0PU1, CP0PU1 and CPOPU2 can tolerate a salt concentration of 3%. Only two isolates RCOPU2 and CPOPU2 isolated from Mbale samples survived at the pH of 2. The findings from this study indicated that fermented legumes are potential sources of probiotics with unique characteristics. Key words: Probiotic potential, legumes, lactic acid bacteria.

Significance of Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria in Grain Legumes: Growth Promotion and Crop Production.

Grain legumes are an important component of sustainable agri-food systems. They establish symbiotic association with rhizobia and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, thus reducing the use of chemical fertilizers. Several other free-living microbial communities (PGPR—plant growth promoting rhizobacteria) residing in the soil-root interface are also known to influence biogeochemical cycles and improve legume productivity. The growth and function of these microorganisms are affected by root exudate molecules secreted in the rhizosphere region. PGPRs produce the chemicals which stimulate growth and functions of leguminous crops at different growth stages. They promote plant growth by nitrogen fixation, solubilization as well as mineralization of phosphorus, and production of phytohormone(s). The co-inoculation of PGPRs along with rhizobia has shown to enhance nodulation and symbiotic interaction. The recent molecular tools are helpful to understand and predict the establishment and function of PGPRs and plant response. In this review, we provide an overview of various growth promoting mechanisms of PGPR inoculations in the production of leguminous crops.

PRESENT STATUS OF GRAIN LEGUMES PRODUCTION IN NEPAL

This review paper is prepared to know the information about the present scenario of grain legumes in Nepal. Grain legumes are important crops for improving soil condition and dietary status of human. The area, production and productivity of grain legumes are collected from the data which is published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD). During the fiscal year 2019/20, Grain legumes are grown in 333,740 ha with the production and productivity of 381,987 Mt and 1,151 kg/ha respectively. Among pulses, the winter crop lentil dominates in production (65.76%) as well as in area coverage (62.93%). Grain Legumes Research Program (GLRP) of Nepal in collaboration with the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGAIR) centres works for genetic improvement of lentil, chickpea, pigeon pea, soybean, black gram, fababean and cowpea.

How does leaf physiological acclimation impact forage production and quality of a warmed managed pasture of Stylosanthes capitata under different conditions of soil water availability?

Tropical pastures play a significant role in the global carbon cycle and are crucial for world livestock production. Despite its importance, there is a paucity of field studies that clarify how tropical pasture species will be affected by environmental changes predicted for tropical regions. Using a temperature-free air-controlled enhancement (T-FACE) system, we increased canopy temperature (+2 °C over ambient) and evaluated the effects of warming under two soil moisture conditions in a factorial design over the physiology, forage production, and forage quality of a tropical forage legume, Stylosanthes capitata. Under well-watered conditions, warming increased the PSII efficiency, net photosynthesis, and aboveground biomass accumulation, but reduced forage quality and digestibility by decreasing crude protein content and increasing lignin content. Non-irrigated conditions under ambient temperature reduced leaf water status presumably promoting the reduction in net photosynthesis, forage production, and forage quality and digestibility. Under the combination of canopy warming and non-irrigated conditions, warming mitigated the effects of reduced soil moisture on leaf photosynthesis and biomass production, but a significant interaction reduced forage quality and digestibility more than under isolated treatments of warming or non-irrigated conditions. We found a potential physiological acclimation of the tropical forage species to moderate warming when grown under rainfed or well-watered conditions. However, this acclimation was achieved due to a trade-off that reduced forage nutritional value and digestibility that may impact future animal feeding, livestock production, and would contribute to methane emissions.

Adaptation of food legumes to problem soils using integrated approaches

Problem soils impose various stresses on plants and significantly reduce crop yield. As a sizable area sown in food legume crops falls under the designation of problem soils, the development of tolerant varieties and appropriate agronomic practices to ameliorate problem soils is required to increase food legume production. With respect to food legume cultivation, research efforts focusing on the development of cultivars tolerant to problem soils and on integrated management practices for soil amelioration have been limited to date. Here we review the various types of problematic soils and recent efforts in the development of appropriate technologies, including high-throughput plant phenotyping, breeding of tolerant varieties, and innovations in agronomy, that are contributing to or potentially will contribute to the adaptation of food legume crops to problem soils. The significant points are: (1) recent advances in plant phenotyping platforms offer new suites of technologies that facilitate the rapid identification of new genes related to tolerance mechanisms and the rapid development of improved cultivars better adapted to adverse soil conditions; (2) advances in plant genomics and recent developments in plant phenomics contribute towards more precise measurements of plant traits of interest; and (3) improved agronomic practices with appropriate amelioration measures would help to bring about changes in the soil conditions, improving them for cultivation and also providing a practical solution for problem soils. Integrated approaches, including tolerant varieties, amelioration measures, and improved agronomic practices suitable for the region, have the potential to be a sustainable approach by which food legumes could be adapted to problem soils.

Economic Incentives for Sustainable Legume Production in India: A Valuation Approach Internalizing Risk Sharing and Environmental Benefits

Economic Incentives for Sustainable Legume Production in India: A Valuation Approach Internalizing Risk Sharing and Environmental Benefits

Production, consumption and market diversification of grain legumes in the humid forest agroecology of cameroon

Grain legumes are mostly cultivated for food and income security. However, the productivity of most grain legumes remains low, with ensuing impacts on consumption and marketing. This study aims at characterizing major grain legumes with regards to production, consumption, and sales in the humid forest zone of Cameroon. The research targets explicitly agricultural households in which the production, consumption, and marketing decisions are made sequentially. To evaluate the socioeconomic determinants driving these decisions, we employed the Tobit censored regression model. Our results present empirical evidence that households participate in markets after satisfying their food consumption needs. Female-headed households are more involved in the production and marketing of legumes. We thus provide evidence-based policy directives to target women into farming systems by empowering them and increasing their access to improved seeds and farmland. Informal education is also essential as it increases the indigenous knowledge base of farming households in the production, consumption and marketing of legumes.

Breeding, Genetics, and Genomics Approaches for Improving Fusarium Wilt Resistance in Major Grain Legumes.

Fusarium wilt (FW) disease is the key constraint to grain legume production worldwide. The projected climate change is likely to exacerbate the current scenario. Of the various plant protection measures, genetic improvement of the disease resistance of crop cultivars remains the most economic, straightforward and environmental-friendly option to mitigate the risk. We begin with a brief recap of the classical genetic efforts that provided first insights into the genetic determinants controlling plant response to different races of FW pathogen in grain legumes. Subsequent technological breakthroughs like sequencing technologies have enhanced our understanding of the genetic basis of both plant resistance and pathogenicity. We present noteworthy examples of targeted improvement of plant resistance using genomics-assisted approaches. In parallel, modern functional genomic tools like RNA-seq are playing a greater role in illuminating the various aspects of plant-pathogen interaction. Further, proteomics and metabolomics have also been leveraged in recent years to reveal molecular players and various signaling pathways and complex networks participating in host-pathogen interaction. Finally, we present a perspective on the challenges and limitations of high-throughput phenotyping and emerging breeding approaches to expeditiously develop FW-resistant cultivars under the changing climate.

Yield, water productivity and economics of legume based agri-horti systems during establishment phase of pomegranate (Punica granatum) in hyper arid partially irrigated zone of western Rajasthan

Field experiment was carried out at farmer’s field in pre-bearing orchard of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) during rabi and kharif season of 2015-16 and 2016-17, respectively in Bikaner district of Rajasthan to study the yield, water productivity and return of legume based intercropping during the establishment phase of pomegranate. There were five treatment combinations, i.e sole pomegranate, pomegranate + (fenugreek–clusterbean), pomegranate + (wheat-groundnut), sole fenugreek –clusterbean and sole wheat-groundnut. Pomegranate planted at 4m × 3m was maintained with drip and intercrops with mini-sprinkler irrigation system. Intercrops showed positive effect on height, girth and canopy spread of pomegranate over sole plantation. In agri-horti systems, the productivity of fenugreek, wheat, clusterbean and groundnut were higher by 20.5, 15.1, 16.4 and 14.9 %, respectively in grain and 18.0, 15.0, 31.6 and 12.4 %, respectively in straw/stover, as compared to sole cropping. The increase in productivity in agri-horti systems may compensate the area sacrificed by canopy coverage of trees up to some extent. Wheat-groundnut intercropped with pomegranate produced higher system productivity (5376 kg /ha) over fenugreek-clusterbean intercropped with pomegranate as well as sole fenugreek-clusterbean. Water productivity of sole orchard can be improved to 0.21 and 0.39 kg /m3 in terms of economic yield (WPEY), 0.64 and 0.99 kg/m3 in terms of biological yield (WPBY) and ₹ `108.8 and ₹ 151.1 /ha/mm, respectively in monitory terms by incorporating fenugreek–clusterbean and wheat-groundnut intercropping systems, respectively.