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Advances in the Cultivation and Production of Leguminous Plants
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Advances in the Cultivation and Production of Leguminous Plants

A special issue of Agriculture (ISSN 2077-0472). This special issue belongs to the section "Crop Production".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 January 2025 | Viewed by 5900

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Marcin Kozak

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Agroecology and Plant Production, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Grunwaldzki Sq. 24 A, 50-363 Wrocław, Poland
Interests: protein crops; oilseed crops; innovative and modern cultivation; crop quality; biostimulants in agricultural production
Prof. Dr. Ewa Szpunar-Krok

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Crop Production, College of Natural Sciences, Poland University of Rzeszow, Rzeszów, Poland
Interests: legumes; sustainable agriculture; abiotic stress; plant physiology; plant fertilization; plant product quality
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Leguminous plants are a crucial source of food and feed protein globally. However, recent climate changes, including droughts, floods, and storms, have frequently led to reduced yields and productivity of these plants. In the future, this may pose local or even global threats of shortages in high-protein food and feed. Additionally, the adverse impact of prevalent weeds, diseases, and pests may further increase the risk of low yields and deteriorating seed and/or vegetative (green) mass quality in leguminous plants. Efforts to mitigate cultivation risks can be made through breeding and selection of more resistant/tolerant varieties that thrive and yield better in less favourable environmental conditions, seed inoculation with symbiotic bacteria, optimization of water and nutrient utilization by plants, modern agricultural techniques, and the use of innovative yield-enhancing agents. Attention must also be paid to the quality of the harvested yield, both in terms of nutritional value and safety for industrial processing (non-nutritive components). Progress in the cultivation and production of legumes is essential for ensuring food and feed security in many regions of the world. It stands as one of the most significant challenges facing contemporary global agriculture. This Special Issue aims to showcase advancements in agrotechnology and the comprehensive production of leguminous plants, resulting in increased yield size and quality. It addresses challenges related to the adaptation of these plants to changing climate conditions and underscores the importance of leguminous plants in sustainable agriculture, including their role as nitrogen factories (biological fixation of atmospheric N).

Prof. Dr. Marcin Kozak
Prof. Dr. Ewa Szpunar-Krok
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agriculture is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • legumes in agroecosystems
  • minor leguminous plants
  • innovative cultivation
  • seeds and green matter production
  • yield quality
  • biological progress
  • plant protection
  • yield-stimulating products
  • sustainable intensification
  • adaptation to changing climate conditions

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 4775 KiB  
Article
Planting Density and Sowing Date Strongly Influence Canopy Characteristics and Seed Yield of Soybean in Southern Xinjiang
by Naibo Xu, Tingyong Mao, Hengbin Zhang, Xingjun Huang, Yong Zhan, Jiahao Liu, Desheng Wang and Yunlong Zhai
Agriculture 2024, 14(11), 1892; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14111892 - 25 Oct 2024
Viewed by 537
Abstract
Southern Xinjiang is an important soybean production region in China. However, the short growing season and the cultivation of winter crops (such as wheat) in the region limit the expansion of soybean planting areas. An increased planting density can compensate for the loss [...] Read more.
Southern Xinjiang is an important soybean production region in China. However, the short growing season and the cultivation of winter crops (such as wheat) in the region limit the expansion of soybean planting areas. An increased planting density can compensate for the loss in yield due to delayed sowing. To identify the quantitative relationship between increased density and delayed days, a two-year field experiment was conducted at the Tarim University Agronomy Experiment Station. Two sowing dates (April 7 (S1) and May 7 (S2)) and three planting densities of 206,800 plants·ha−1 (D1), 308,600 plants·ha−1 (D2), and 510,200 plants·ha−1 (D3) were used to compare various plant growth parameters and canopy characteristics. Late sowing and a high planting density significantly increased the plant height (S2 was 37.3% higher than S1, and D3 was 17.6% and 8.8% higher than D1 and D2), main stem internode, petiole length, and the mean tilt angle of the leaves (S2 was 22.5% higher than S1, and D3 was 11.7% higher than D2) but reduced the stem diameter (D3 was 28.6% and 12.5% lower than D1 and D2), branch number (S2 was 26.7% lower than S1, and D2 was 75% lower than D1), canopy light transmittance (S2 was 49.2% lower than S1, and D3 was 36.7% and 20.8% lower than D1 and D2), photosynthetic rate, and dry matter. The highest yield was achieved at S1D1, but the lowest yield was found for S2D1. Overall, the results suggest that earlier sowing and a lower planting density contribute to achieving an optimum canopy structure and higher yield. Our conclusions provide a reference for soybean production in southern Xinjiang. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Cultivation and Production of Leguminous Plants)
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15 pages, 2287 KiB  
Article
Herbal Companion Crops as an Example of Implementation of Sustainable Plant Protection Practices in Soybean Cultivation
by Adrian Sikora, Joanna Dłużniewska, Bogdan Kulig and Agnieszka Klimek-Kopyra
Agriculture 2024, 14(9), 1485; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14091485 - 1 Sep 2024
Viewed by 850
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the effect of using selected herbs as companion crops in soybean cultivation on the yield and overall health of soybeans. A three-year field experiment (2021–2023) was conducted using a randomized block design with three replications, where the primary [...] Read more.
This study aimed to assess the effect of using selected herbs as companion crops in soybean cultivation on the yield and overall health of soybeans. A three-year field experiment (2021–2023) was conducted using a randomized block design with three replications, where the primary experimental variable was the sowing method. The innovative cropping system involved cultivating soybeans alongside different companion herbs, such as alyssum (Lobularia maritima L.), fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.), borage (Borago officinalis L.), French marigold (Tagetes patula L.), calendula (Calendula officinalis L.), and a herbal mixture referred to as ‘MIX’. The study showed that cultivation of soybean with fennel improved the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the yield, with a significant increase in seed yield (on average by 0.27 t ha−1) as well as protein (7.67%) and oil yield (8.57%) compared to the pure soybean crop. The following fungal diseases were identified during the three-year study period (2021–2023): Cercospora leaf blight, Ascochyta blight, Fusarium wilt, and downy mildew. Cultivation of soybean with herbs as companion crops was implemented to improve the health of soybean to a varied extent. Borage, marigold, and calendula companion crops reduced infection of soybean by the fungi C. kikuchii and F. oxysporum. Cultivation with fennel and marigold was also beneficial for soybean health. On the other hand, cultivation with sweet alyssum and a mixture of herbs increased the occurrence of the fungus A. sojaecola. Cultivation of soybean in association with herbs is legitimate and requires further research given the priorities facing 21st-century agriculture. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Cultivation and Production of Leguminous Plants)
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20 pages, 2096 KiB  
Article
The Effects of Intercropping Narrowleaf Lupine with Cereals under Variable Mineral Nitrogen Fertilization
by Rafał Górski and Anna Płaza
Agriculture 2024, 14(7), 989; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14070989 - 25 Jun 2024
Viewed by 987
Abstract
Intercropping of legumes and cereals can bring many benefits to agriculture, including an increase in yield and the quality of the crops obtained. In addition, it is possible to reduce mineral fertilization, which can have a positive impact on the environment. The aim [...] Read more.
Intercropping of legumes and cereals can bring many benefits to agriculture, including an increase in yield and the quality of the crops obtained. In addition, it is possible to reduce mineral fertilization, which can have a positive impact on the environment. The aim of the field research conducted in 2021–2023 in central Poland was to evaluate the yields obtained, the content and yield of total protein and the value of land equivalent ratio in the intercropping of narrowleaf lupine with cereals at different seeding levels of components and variable mineral nitrogen fertilization. The following factors were tested: 1—share of components in the sowing: narrowleaf lupine (NL) 120 seeds m−2; spring barley (SB) 300 seeds m−2; M1—NL 30 + SB 225 seeds m−2; M2—NL 60 + SB 150 seeds m−2; M3—NL 90 + SB 75 seeds m−2; spring triticale (ST) 450 seeds m−2; M4—NL 30 + ST 340 seeds m−2; M5—NL 60 + ST 225 seeds m−2; M6—NL 90 + ST 115 seeds m−2; 2—mineral fertilization with nitrogen 0, 20, 40, 60 kg N ha−1. The most favorable results were obtained with mixtures containing 60 + 150 seeds m2 of narrowleaf lupine + spring barley and 90 + 115 seeds m−2 of narrowleaf lupine + spring triticale. In addition, the favorable results and the lack of significant differences at fertilization of 40 and 60 kg N ha−1 show the possibility of a limited dose of mineral nitrogen fertilization. Sowing narrowleaf lupine with spring barley at a ratio of 60 + 150 seeds m2 or with spring triticale at a ratio of 90 + 115 seeds m−2 and fertilizing with 40 kg N ha−1 can be recommended for agricultural practice. The proposed management technique ensures high yields of good quality and thus can be an interesting solution for sustainable cultivation and be successfully implemented on farms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Cultivation and Production of Leguminous Plants)
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13 pages, 890 KiB  
Article
Sowing Date as a Factor Affecting Soybean Yield—A Case Study in Poland
by Magdalena Serafin-Andrzejewska, Waldemar Helios, Monika Białkowska, Andrzej Kotecki and Marcin Kozak
Agriculture 2024, 14(7), 970; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14070970 - 21 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 953
Abstract
Soybean is the crop of the future, especially for countries with a high demand for food and feed protein. Therefore, soybean cultivation is moving north to countries at higher latitudes, where temperatures, photoperiodism, and rainfall distribution are not always able to meet soybean [...] Read more.
Soybean is the crop of the future, especially for countries with a high demand for food and feed protein. Therefore, soybean cultivation is moving north to countries at higher latitudes, where temperatures, photoperiodism, and rainfall distribution are not always able to meet soybean requirements. The aim of this study was to evaluate three sowing dates as a factor influencing soybean cultivars yield and seed chemical composition in agroclimatic conditions of south-western Poland. In the years 2016–2019, a field experiment was conducted in Lower Silesia region, near Wroclaw, with three sowing dates: early (mid-April), 10-day delayed (at the turn of April and May), and 20-day delayed (first half of May), and two soybean cultivars: Merlin and Lissabon. In this location, soybean sowing is recommended in mid-April, possibly at the turn of April and May. The cultivars tested differed in yield and yield component values in the years of research, but generally, the Lissabon was better suited to local conditions. Results were discussed with findings of other domestic research, to investigate the problem of the soybean sowing date in Poland. The recommended sowing date for soybean was found to vary from region to region. These differences are due to the length of the growing season in each location and the varied adaptation of cultivars to the local climatic conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Cultivation and Production of Leguminous Plants)
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18 pages, 4497 KiB  
Article
Research on Factors Affecting Global Grain Legume Yield Based on Explainable Artificial Intelligence
by Yadong Li, Rujia Li, Rongbiao Ji, Yehui Wu, Jiaojiao Chen, Mengyao Wu and Jianping Yang
Agriculture 2024, 14(3), 438; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14030438 - 7 Mar 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1721
Abstract
Grain legumes play a significant global role and are integral to agriculture and food production worldwide. Therefore, comprehending and analyzing the factors that influence grain legume yield are of paramount importance for guiding agricultural management and decision making. Traditional statistical analysis methods present [...] Read more.
Grain legumes play a significant global role and are integral to agriculture and food production worldwide. Therefore, comprehending and analyzing the factors that influence grain legume yield are of paramount importance for guiding agricultural management and decision making. Traditional statistical analysis methods present limitations in interpreting results, but explainable artificial intelligence (AI) provides a visual representation of model results, offering insights into the key factors affecting grain legume yield. In this study, nine typical grain legume species were selected from a published global experimental dataset: garden pea (Pisum sativum), chickpea (Cicer arietinum), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), garden vetch (Vicia sativa), faba bean (Vicia faba), lentil (Lens culinaris), pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), peanut (Arachis hypogaea), and white lupine (Lupinus albus). Seven commonly used models were constructed for each legume species, and model performance evaluation was conducted using accuracy, AUC, recall, precision, and F1 score metrics. The best classification model was selected for each grain legume species. Employing Decision Tree analysis, Feature Importance Evaluation, and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) as explainable techniques, our study conducted both individual and comprehensive analyses of nine leguminous crops. This approach offers a novel perspective, unveiling not only the unique responses of each crop to the influencing factors but also demonstrating the common factors across different crops. According to the experimental results, XGboost (XGB) and Random Forests (RF) are the best-performing models among the nine types of grain legumes, and the classification accuracy of a specific species is as high as 87.33%. Insights drawn from the feature importance map reveal that several factors, including aerial biomass, precipitation, sunshine duration, soil conditions, growth cycle, and fertilization strategy, have a pivotal influence. However, it was found from the SHAP graph that the responses of various crops to these factors are not the same. This research furnishes novel perspectives and insights into understanding the factors influencing grain legume yields. The findings provide a robust scientific foundation for agricultural managers, experts, and policymakers in the pursuit of optimizing pulse yields and advancing agricultural sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Cultivation and Production of Leguminous Plants)
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