Legumes in sustainable agriculture

Atienza, Sergio G.; Rubiales, Diego

doi:10.1071/cpv68n11_fo

Cited by 19 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 20 publications

(18 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The herbage yield values are associated with the herbage accumulation rates, and the results of the current research confirm the effect of forage legumes on the subsequent crop (Peyraud et al ., 2009; Atienza and Rubiales, 2017; Traill et al ., 2018). Herbage yield ranged from 19.1 to 20.5 t DM/ha/year and was similar to that reported for perennial legume–grass pasture by Pachas et al .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In contrast, legume–grass mixtures increase the herbage yield, improve the seasonal distribution of forage, increase animal productivity and reduce the environmental impact due to the lower use of N fertilizer (Carvalho and Pires, 2008; Atienza and Rubiales, 2017; Silva et al ., 2018) and decreased greenhouse gas emissions (de Andrade et al ., 2014). Legume–grass mixture systems are characterized by different plant architectures and distinct patterns of root growth, which improve the use of water, light and nutrient resources (Costa et al ., 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Plant and animal responses of elephant grass pasture-based systems mixed with pinto peanut

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The effects of growing pinto peanut mixed with elephant grass-based pastures are still little known. The aim of the current research was to evaluate the performance of herbage yield, nutritive value of forage and animal responses to levels of pinto peanut forage mass mixed with elephant grass in low-input systems. Three grazing systems were evaluated: (i) elephant grass-based (control); (ii) pinto peanut, low-density forage yield (63 g/kg of dry matter – DM) + elephant grass; and (iii) pinto peanut, high-density dry matter forage yield (206 g/kg DM) + elephant grass. The experimental design was completely randomized with the three treatments (grazing systems) and three replicates (paddocks) in split-plot grazing cycles. Forage samples were collected to evaluate the pasture and animal responses. Leaf blades of elephant grass and the other companion grasses of pinto peanut were collected to analyse the crude protein, in vitro digestible organic matter and total digestible nutrients. The pinto peanut, high-density dry matter forage yield + elephant grass treatment was found to give the best results in terms of herbage yield, forage intake and stocking rate, as well as having higher crude protein contents for both elephant grass and the other grasses, followed by pinto peanut with low-density forage yield + elephant grass and finally elephant grass alone. Better results were found with the grass–legume system for pasture and animal responses.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plant and animal responses of elephant grass pasture-based systems mixed with pinto peanut

et al. 2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In the environment, legumes are part of the symbiotic N fixation process, reducing the need for N fertilizer, decreasing agricultural CO 2 emissions, and improving soil composition [37]. The inclusion of legumes in crop rotation systems, besides conferring pest and disease resistance to the succeeding crops [38], can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25% [39]. Table 1.…”

Section: The Importance Of Legumes In the Accomplishment Of The Sustamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Pulses are legume crops harvested for dry grain production and are the cheapest source of vitamins, micronutrients, and proteins, making them available for everyone and the perfect target for biofortification [60]. Although legume consumption and cultivation have clear benefits, their cultivation has decreased considerably in the last 50 years compared to cereals [38]. One of the reasons for this decrease might be related to their high susceptibility to climate stresses, making them less attractive to farmers.…”

Section: Potential Beneficial Health Effects Referencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Legume Biofortification and the Role of Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria in a Sustainable Agricultural Era

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

World population growth, together with climate changes and increased hidden hunger, bring an urgent need for finding sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural approaches to improve crop yield and nutritional value. The existing methodologies for enhancing the concentration of bioavailable micronutrients in edible crop tissues (i.e., biofortification), including some agronomic strategies, conventional plant breeding, and genetic engineering, have not always been successful. In recent years, the use of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) has been suggested as a promising approach for the biofortification of important crops, including legumes. Legumes have many beneficial health effects, namely, improved immunological, metabolic and hormonal regulation, anticarcinogenic and anti-inflammatory effects, and decreased risk of cardiovascular and obesity-related diseases. These crops also play a key role in the environment through symbiotic nitrogen (N) fixation, reducing the need for N fertilizers, reducing CO2 emissions, improving soil composition, and increasing plant resistance to pests and diseases. PGPB act by a series of direct and indirect mechanisms to potentially improve crop yields and nutrition. This review will focus on the: (i) importance of legumes in the accomplishment of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for production systems; (ii) understanding the role of PGPB in plant nutrition; (iii) iron biofortification of legumes with PGPB, which is an interesting case study of a green technology for sustainable plant-food production improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture.

show abstract

“…Planting legumes has been regarded as an important way to promote sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices to meet the growing needs for food and forage production because of the foreseeable rising world population [16]. Legume-grass intercropping is a valuable sowing regime for overyielding because of the niche differentiation in plant traits and resource acquisition [17,18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimizing Cropping Systems of Cultivated Pastures in the Mountain–Basin Systems in Northwest China

Fan

Dai

et al. 2020

Applied Sciences

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Cultivated pastures are effective supporting systems of natural grassland preservation and sustainable agriculture in arid regions of northwest China. The adaptive combination of forage species enhances the yields and ecological functions of cultivated pastures. Legume–grass intercropping is a valuable sowing regime because of the niche differentiation and resource acquisition. Understanding the effects of species interactions in legume–grass intercropping systems can provide scientific and practical guidance on cultivated pasture management. In this study, we conducted a field experiment to determine the advantages and effects of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) annual grass intercropping on cultivated pastures. We analyzed the data on population traits, community characteristics and dry matter in the growing period to evaluate the effects of variety and sowing patterns with the following treatments: three alfalfa varieties (Algonquin, Leafy king, WL354HQ) sown in monocultures and mixed with oat (Avena sativa L.) or sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense (Piper) Stapf.) with two seeding ratios. Our results suggest that in mixtures, the plant traits of alfalfa were determined by their own characters at the earlier stage but were affected more by companion grass at the later stage. The annual forage grass companion impaired the growth of alfalfa during the growth period. In mixtures, sudangrass displayed a stronger inhibiting effect on alfalfa than oat. Alfalfa–grass intercropping was proved to be a feasible cropping practice in terms of yield, production stability and weed control, due to their complementary use of resources in comparison with alfalfa monocropping. Alfalfa–annual grass intercropping is a beneficial alternative strategy to obtain effective cultivated pastures in arid regions.

show abstract

Legumes in sustainable agriculture

Cited by 19 publications

References 20 publications

Plant and animal responses of elephant grass pasture-based systems mixed with pinto peanut

Plant and animal responses of elephant grass pasture-based systems mixed with pinto peanut

Legume Biofortification and the Role of Plant Growth-Promoting Bacteria in a Sustainable Agricultural Era

Optimizing Cropping Systems of Cultivated Pastures in the Mountain–Basin Systems in Northwest China

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About