Towards the More Efficient Use of Water and Nutrients in Food Legume Cropping

Abstract

Nutrient imbalance and soil moisture stress are the major abiotic constraints limiting productivity of cool season food legumes. These constraints are more pronounced in the semi-arid tropics and sub-tropics which are the principal production zones of chickpea, lentil and faba bean. The legumes are generally grown on residual moisture as a mono crop and consequently face drought especially during the reproductive phase. In recent years, chickpea, lentil, peas and faba bean have been grown in some areas with an irrigated/assured water supply under intensive cropping to sustain cereal based systems. An increased water supply favourably influences productivity in dry environments. Faba bean, French beans and peas show a relatively better response to irrigation. The pod initiation stage is considered most critical with respect to moisture stress. Excessive moisture often has a negative effect on podding and seed yield. Eighty to ninety percent of the nitrogen requirements of leguminous crops is met from N2 fixation hence a dose of 15-25 kg N ha-I has been recommended. However, in new cropping systems like rice-chickpea, higher doses of 30-40 kg N ha-I are beneficial. Phosphorus deficiency is wide spread and good responses occur to 20 to 80 kg P20 S ha-I , depending on the nutrient status of soil, cropping systems and moisture availability. Response to potassium application is localized. The use of 20-30 kg S ha-I and some of the micronutrients such as Zn, B, Mo and Fe have improved productivity. Band placement of phosphatic fertilizers and use of bio-fertilizers has enhanced the efficiency of applied as well as native P. Foliar applications of some micronutrients have been effective in correcting deficiencies. Water use efficiency has been improved with some management practices such as changed sowing time, balanced nutrition, mulching and tillage.

Water-use efficiency and the effect of water deficits on crop growth and yield of Kabuli chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in a cool-temperate subhumid climate

“…The dependence of water-use efficiency (WUE) on water supply has been demonstrated for various grain legumes including chickpea and changes in WUE may reflect changes in grain yield (Ali et al 2000). The estimates of WUE for Kabuli chickpea in the present study (22-29 kg DM/ha per mm water use and 10-13 kg seed yield/ha per mm water use) were comparable to those reported for chickpea grown elsewhere (Herridge et al 1995;Dalal et al 1997).…”

Standardizing the Hydrogel Application Rates and Foliar Nutrition for Enhancing Yield of Lentil (Lens culinaris)

“…The crop has great significance in cereal-based cropping systems, rainfed areas in particular, as its cultivation improves soil nitrogen (fix 0 to 190 kg/ha) [19], as well as carbon and organic matter status, thus providing sustainability in production systems. A shortage of water during the crop growth period in winter crops like lentil has become the major impediment for the cultivation of pulses [20]. Under such conditions, application of hydrogel and foliar nutrition through bio-regulators and nutrient sprays can be a potential alternative to improve photosynthetic efficiency, assimilate partitioning, and increase growth and yield.…”

Crops that feed the world 3. Investing in lentil improvement toward a food secure world

“…However, these stresses remain of local importance. Iron deficiency, for example, is a common soil disorder in high pH soils, causing 18-25% yield reductions in susceptible genotypes in India and up to 47% in Syria (Ali et al 2000;Erskine et al 1993). Germplasm screening indicates that tolerance to iron deficiency is common among lentils from Syria and Turkey (Erskine et al 1993).…”