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Researchers examine how to minimize drought impact on important food crops

ScienceDaily (June 10, 2015)

Researchers provide information that could help agricultural planning and management to minimize drought-induced yield losses for legumes, one of the world’s most important food crops.

The results of this study showed that the amount of water reduction was positively related to yield reduction, but the extent of the impact varied with legume species and the phenological state during which drought occurred. Another factor affecting yield loss was legumes grown in soil with medium texture also exhibited greater yield reduction compared to those planted in soil of either coarse or fine texture. This is counterintuitive, considering production potential of medium textured soils is usually high.

Overall, the yield of lentils, peanuts and pigeon peas were found to experience lower drought-induced reduction, according to the paper. Yield reduction was generally greater when legumes experienced drought during their reproductive stage

Because the effects of drought on legume production were found to be affected less by climatic regions and related more to legume species, the selection and promotion of drought-resistant legume species could provide an approach to minimize the impact of droughts

Story Source Indiana University

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