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The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of phosphorus and molybdenum treatment on macro and micronutrient biofortification in bean. The study sheds light on the individual and interactive effects of phosphorus and molybdenum on macro and micronutrient uptake and biofortification in Phaseolus vulgaris. Three levels of phosphorus and molybdenum were used in the experiment laid out in a randomized block design with four replications. Phosphorus and molybdenum treatment promoted nitrogen accumulation in both straw and seed. Nitrogen content increased with rising phosphorus doses in straw and seed over control by 42.3% and 7.4%, respectively. Moreover, phosphorus addition increased straw manganese content while molybdenum enhanced straw manganese. In addition, 4 g Mo kg-1/seed treatment boosted seed magnesium concentration over control by 28.2%, however, no phosphorus, potassium, copper, iron, and zinc in the plant materials, likely due to the sufficient levels of these nutrients in the soil composition of the experimental area. According to results, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, zinc varied in straw and seed between 3.15-7.05% and 17.5-19.2%, 586-990 ppm and 1049-1355 ppm, 695- 2690 ppm and 1021-1727 ppm, 5839-11162 ppm and 559-1303 ppm, 690-1474 ppm and 348-1036 ppm, 25.3-38.3 ppm and 8.29-9.29 ppm, 8.6-16.9 ppm and 11.3-19.9 ppm, 469-927 ppm and 70.2-80.3 ppm, 6.5- 10.8 ppm and 17.9-23.3 ppm, respectively. Consequently, it has been determined that molybdenum supplementation is necessary along with phosphorus fertilization in areas where beans are grown, especially in acidic soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of International Journal of Agriculture & Wildlife Science is the property of International Journal of Agriculture & Wildlife Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

ABSTRACTGrain legume production offers multiple environmental benefits and can enhance the sustainability of farming, but the legume area has been small and declining over the last decades in most European countries. Recently, grain legumes have gained importance because of the increases in prices of feed and food proteins, fertilizers and fuel, in addition to sustainability concerns. This study investigated the impacts of introducing grain legumes [faba beans (Vicia faba L.)] in cereal-dominated crop production systems typical for southwestern Finland. To investigate the economic effects as well as the effect grain legumes have on production and land use a dynamic optimization model was used. The results suggest significant crop yield gains if farmers consistently utilize the pre-crop value of legumes and other crops in crop rotations over several years. The farm economic gains of diversified legume rotations were found to be positive but relatively small assuming past prices, but they can be significantly higher if legume and nitrogen fertilizer prices increase in the future. Overall, faba bean-based rotations have positive long-term implications on soil quality and biodiversity and thus future viability and societal reputation of farming.

In the 21st century, the use of beneficial microorganisms as biological fertilizers has become a notable phenomenon, driven by the ongoing search for sustainable solutions due to environmental issues associated with synthetic fertilizer use. This study aimed to investigate the effect of bio-priming with plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) strains comparing them with synthetic fertilizer and rhizobium inoculation in Siirt ecological conditions. The field experiment was laid out according to a completely randomized design with four replications in the arable land of Siirt University (Siirt, Türkiye) during the 2019 summer season. Three synthetic fertilizer doses as diammonium phosphate (SF1: 100 kg ha-1, SF2: 200 kg ha-1, SF3: 300 kg ha-1) and seven biological fertilizer treatments (B1: TV61C, B2: TV62C, B3: TV126C, B4: TV24C, B5: TV53D, BMIX: TV119E+TV126C, RZB: Bradyrhizobium sp.) were compared with control (no fertilization+hydro-priming) in the study. The research results indicated that 300 kg ha-1 DAP and PGPB consortia showed the best results on agronomic characteristics. However, particularly when applied in the form of a consortium, PGPB strains exhibited performance very close to synthetic fertilization. Moreover, it was determined that 300 kg ha-1 DAP and PGPB consortia increased grain yield over hydro-primed plants by 54.6% and 42.4%, while they provided a net income of $654 and $721.6, respectively. Thus, bio-priming with PGPB increased higher net income compared with synthetic fertilizer due to lower treatment costs. In conclusion, bio-priming with PGPB strains has the potential of useful, sustainable and cost-effective strategy in cowpea production.

Copyright of Research in Agricultural Sciences is the property of Ataturk University Coordinatorship of Scientific Journals and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Bruchus rufimanus, a univoltine seed weevil (bruchid), can cause severe seed yield and quality losses in faba beans restricting crop profitability and expansion. Chemical insecticide applications have been reported of low effectiveness and thus, growing genotypes tolerant to bruchid has been suggested as an alternative. Ten faba bean (Viciafaba L.) accessions belonging to three varieties (var. major (seven accessions), var. minor (two accessions), var. equina (one accession)) were tested under field conditions for two growing seasons. Agronomic and seed traits were determined in an attempt to associate any tolerance to bruchid with easily-assessible, highly-heritable characters in order to be used as indirect selection criteria. The genotypes varied in bruchid tolerance (percentage of bruchid emergence holes (BD), percentage of endoparasitoid (Triaspis thoracica) emergence holes and bruchid infestation level (BI = BD + PD)), agronomic traits and seed properties. The dark-colored, small- and medium-seeded accessions (var. minor and var. equina), commonly used for feed, had the lowest BI (4.21–8.17%) ranging below the limit of 10% set as the highest acceptable for using faba beans as feed. Large-seeded accessions (var. major), which had light-colored seed coat (testa) with yellow hue, showed BI from 11.80% up to 24.54%, far-above the limit of 3% for seeds used as food. Apart from the seed size and color, susceptible genotypes had more seeds per pod, less pods and less branches per plant, possibly offering an easy access to females for laying more eggs on the limited number of pods, albeit the more space and food (higher protein content per seed) they offer to the developing larvae. Phenols and tannins in seeds, a putative chemical defense mechanism against bruchid, did not associate with the percentage of bruchid- or endoparasitoid-damaged seeds. Concluding, certain plant architectural traits and seed properties related to bruchid infestation in faba beans can be used as useful tools to select tolerant genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background In the context of rising costs of raw materials and environmental degradation caused by livestock farming, the agri-food sector faces significant challenges in sourcing sustainable proteins. Grain legumes have emerged as cost-effective protein sources, with lower water footprint and GHG emissions compared to animal sources. However, their cultivation is threatened by strong yield fluctuations. Leveraging intra-specific diversity through cultivar mixtures in cropping systems can effectively buffer biotic and abiotic stresses, hence increasing yield stability. In this study, we investigate the effect of intra-specific diversity on lentil nitrogen uptake under pot (2020) and field conditions (2021). We hypothesize that cultivars with higher affinity for nitrogen fixation influence the other components of the mixture, and that nitrogen uptake dynamics are a possible driver in modulating cultivar mixture behaviour. We designed two-, three-, and four-cultivar mixtures with a trait-blind approach and compared them to sole cultivars. Results and conclusions Our results show inconsistencies across the two experimental years, indicating that lentils may shift their nitrogen source from the atmosphere to the soil when grown in pots. Mixtures 15N enrichment was not always consistent with pure stand performance, suggesting that cultivar mixtures may have an unpredictable cumulative effect on nitrogen uptake. Regarding correlations with agronomic parameters, we observed a significant correlation between nodules number and nitrogen concentration, regardless of experimental conditions. Finally, we found that 15N excess emerged as a significant predictor for pure stands’ yield, but the differences were diluted with the increase in diversity levels. The findings on 15N enrichment responses, cultivar impacts, and complex mixture effects on soil microbiota underscore the need for further research.

Faba beans are one of the most suitable grain legume crop for colder, maritime climates. However, there is limited information on the effect of changing from conventional to organic production methods and potential impacts of global warming on the health and performance of faba bean crops in Northern Europe. We therefore assessed the performance of faba beans grown with contrasting crop protection (with and without pesticides) and fertilization (with and without P and K fertilizer input) regimes used in organic and conventional production in seven growing seasons. Conventional crop protection and fertilization regimes had no effect on foliar disease severity, but resulted in small, but significant increases in faba bean yields. The overall yield gap between organic and conventional production regimes was relatively small (~10%), but there was substantial variation in yields between growing seasons/years. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that climate explanatory variables/drivers explained the largest proportion of the variation in crop performance and identified strong positive associations between (i) temperature and both straw and grain yield and (ii) precipitation and foliar disease severity. However, RDA also identified crop protection and variety as significant explanatory variables for faba bean performance. The relatively small effect of using P and K fertilizers on yields and the lack of a measurable effect of fungicide applications on foliar disease severity indicate that the use of these inputs in conventional faba beans may not be economical. Results also suggest that the yield gap between organic and conventional faba bean production is significant, but smaller than for other field crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The fluctuating supply and price of soybean meal have steered nutritionists to explore alternative protein sources in poultry diets. An attractive option is grain legumes because of their reasonable protein, amino acid and energy contents. The presence of antinutritional factors in grain legumes is a major concern associated with their use in poultry feeding. However, as documented, there are effective processing methods that can mitigate the negative effects of these antinutritional factors. The current overview deals with the feeding value of four selected grain legumes, namely lupins, field peas, faba beans and chickpeas, in poultry feeding. Grain legumes are fair sources of protein, amino acids and energy, and can be used as a replacement for soybean meal in poultry feed formulations as the soybean meal becomes short in supply and costly. However, a concern associated with the use of grain legumes in poultry feeding is the presence of antinutritional factors. The effective processing and utilisation of these grain legumes in poultry feeding are well documented. The current review focuses on four selected grain legumes (lupins [Lupinus albus and Lupinus angustifolius], field peas [Phaseolus vulgaris], faba beans [Vicia faba] and chickpeas [Cicer arietinum]) and their nutrient content, the presence of antinutritional factors, processing methods and feeding value, including updated data based on recent research findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Nutritional and anti-nutritional factors of Spirulina, insect larvae such as Tenebrio molitor and Hermetia illucens, rapeseed meal, and grain legumes such as fava beans, peas, lupins, and chickpea are reviewed, in order to re-evaluate the use of these potential protein ingredients in pig diets. The effects on pig performance, digestion, immune system, and the physicochemical and sensorial characteristics of pork are updated. The limits of their use to be accounted for in pig diet formulation are revisited, together with the possible treatments to improve their nutritional value. The search for alternative protein sources to soybean meal (SBM) in animal feeding is a strategic objective to reduce production costs and contribute to sustainable animal production. Spirulina, due to the high protein content, has emerged as a potential cost-effective, sustainable, viable, and high-nutritional-value food resource for many animal species. Insect larvae (Tenebrio molitor and Hermetia illucens) are also considered potential alternatives to SBM, given their high edible percentage of almost 100%, as well as a protein value higher than that of vegetable proteins. Rapeseed meal and grain legumes, such as fava beans, peas, lupins, and chickpea, can also be used as locally producible protein ingredients. This study reviews the nutritional value of these potential alternatives to SBM in pig diets, and their effects on animal performance, digestion, immune system, and the physicochemical and sensorial characteristics of meat, including processed pork products. The limits on their use in pig feeding are also reviewed to indicate gaps to be filled in future research on the supplementation level of these potential alternative protein sources in pig diets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grain legumes represent important crops for livestock feed and contribute to novel uses in the food industry; therefore, the best cultivation practices need to be assessed. This study aimed to identify herbicides to meet the current need for controlling broadleaf weeds without phytotoxicity in the grain legume crop per se. Field experiments were undertaken during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons and laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates as follows: four grain legume crops (vetch, pea, faba bean, and white lupine) and nine pre-emergence (PRE) or post-emergence selective (POST) herbicide treatments (PRE: aclonifen, pendimethalin plus clomazone, metribuzin plus clomazone, benfluralin, terbuthylazine plus pendimethalin, S-metolachlor plus pendimethalin, flumioxazin; POST: pyridate, imazamox) alongside weedy check plots. Plant phytotoxicity, crop dry matter, yield features, weed presence, and weed dry matter were assessed during the experiments. There was differential efficacy among the nine herbicide treatments; the weed control was more effective in the case of Veronica arvensis L. and Sonchus spp. L. compared with Chenopodium album L., Sinapis arvensis L., and Silibum marianum L. regardless of the herbicide treatment. The most effective PRE herbicide was flumioxazin, which had the greatest control over the majority of weeds (>70%) resulting in the lowest total weed biomass. The second-best treatment was benfluralin and the mixture of terbuthylazine plus pendimethalin (both had only limited control in S. arvensis). The best POST herbicide was imazamox, with only limited control in S. arvensis. The tested herbicides caused low to medium and transient levels of phytotoxicity mainly in vetch and secondly in peas but not in faba beans and lupines. Concerning all weed management treatments, benfluralin resulted in the highest grain yields for all four grain legume crops during both growing seasons. Among grain legumes, vetch had the highest competitive ability against weeds, whereas peas were the least tolerant against weed competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Product bundling is receiving increasing attention in sustainable agricultural development as a means to ensure access to and enhance the uptake of, agricultural technologies by smallholders. Yet, the how and why of bundling for smallholders are not well-understood. The current paper, therefore, brings bundling theory from the marketing literature to the smallholder context. We use a conjoint experiment, a proven marketing technique for designing new products, services and bundles, to design agricultural input and service bundles for soybean-producing smallholders in rural Ethiopia. The empirical findings from 252 smallholders suggest that product bundling enhances smallholders’ preferences and hence intentions to adopt technologies but that bundles must be designed carefully following a smallholder-centric approach. Drawing on our findings and the literature, we delineate the different steps that need to be taken to develop bundles for the successful uptake of new technologies by smallholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grain legume production offers multiple environmental benefits and can enhance the sustainability of farming, but the legume area has been small and declining over the last decades in most European countries. Recently, grain legumes have gained importance because of the increases in prices of feed and food proteins, fertilizers and fuel, in addition to sustainability concerns. This study investigated the impacts of introducing grain legumes [faba beans (Vicia faba L.)] in cereal-dominated crop production systems typical for southwestern Finland. To investigate the economic effects as well as the effect grain legumes have on production and land use a dynamic optimization model was used. The results suggest significant crop yield gains if farmers consistently utilize the pre-crop value of legumes and other crops in crop rotations over several years. The farm economic gains of diversified legume rotations were found to be positive but relatively small assuming past prices, but they can be significantly higher if legume and nitrogen fertilizer prices increase in the future. Overall, faba bean-based rotations have positive long-term implications on soil quality and biodiversity and thus future viability and societal reputation of farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: to study the efficiency of using stimulating biologics on the productivity of leguminous crops in irrigated agrocenoses of the Volga region. Materials and methods. The field experience was laid in 2021–2023 on grain feed crop rotation. On the basis of the experimental production farm of the Volga Research Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Land Reclamation, studies were conducted on the use of stimulating biological preparations in the leguminous crop cultivation: an inoculation preparation containing Mesorin 7 + Rhizotorphin, which contains a fungicide + nitrogen-producing bacteria of high concentration; micro-fertilizers according to the phases of vegetation of leguminous crops, containing trace elements and amino acids. The control option was without the use of stimulating biologics and micronutrients. The following leguminous crops were used in the experiment: Marina soy varieties, Alpha peas and Russian black beans. Results. In the course of research, it was found that when seeds are treated before sowing with the biological preparation Mesorin 7 + Rhizotorphin, the growth of green mass from the flowering phase to the full ripeness phase of seeds is slow: peas – 1005.3–1153.5 g/m², soybeans – 2092.3–2997.3 g/m², beans – 3121.3–3324.3 g/m². When processing crops with micro fertilizers during the growing season to the phase of the beginning of bean formation, the increase in aboveground mass is: peas – 1668.5 g/m², soybeans – 2772.3 g/m², the highest value was found in beans 3140.5 g/m². The positive effect of stimulating biologics on the productivity and quality of leguminous crops when cultivated on irrigated lands was revealed. The maximum biological yield was achieved with the use of a set of micro fertilizers during the period of growth and development of soybean plants – 3.83 t/ha, peas – 1.52 t/ha, and the most promising is the production of beans with a yield of 13.08 t/ha. Conclusions. The results of studying the features of the formation and productivity of the agrophytocenosis of leguminous crops confirmed the high efficiency of the use of stimulating biological preparations and micro fertilizers to increase the yield on irrigation.

The study about the economic returns of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) by the use of rhizobium seed inoculation and different phosphorus doses was conducted at Bharatpur, Chitwan, from February to May 2022. The experiment was conducted in a two-factor randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and eight treatments. Treatments were set as factor A: seed inoculation i.e., un-inoculated and inoculated; and factor B: four different phosphorus doses (20, 40, 60, 80 kg ha­-1). The cowpea variety ‘Prakash’ was used. Results revealed that the application of seed inoculation provides the highest returns compared to an un-inoculated one; similarly, in case of phosphorus dose of 40 kg P2O5 ha-1 gives the maximum economic returns compared to other phosphorus doses. Furthermore, the interaction of rhizobium inoculation with 40 kg ha­-1 gives the highest gross income (NRs. 216005), net return (NRs. 110829.39) and B: C (2.05) compared to all other single inoculation or phosphorus or interaction treatments ( 1 $ = NRs. 132.53) . From the result, it is concluded that the use of rhizobium inoculation along with 40 kg P2O5 ha­-1 would be economically profitable for the farmers under the Terai conditions of Nepal.

Purpose Biochar application could be a sustainable way to enhance the nitrogen fixation in Bambara groundnut and other legumes. The research was conducted to study the effect of rice husk biochar and the Christmas Island Rock Phosphate application on the performance of Bambara groundnut in the study area. Method Two levels of rice husk biochar (0 and10 t/ha) and four levels of Christmas Island Rock Phosphate (0, 20, 40 and 60 kg P2O5/ha) were factorial combined to make a total of eight treatment combinations which were laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replicates. Data were collected on nitrogen content and fixation of the crop. Results Application of rice husk biochar increased the total mean of nitrogen content and N fixed by the crop from 120.0 and 90.9 kg/ha to 147.6 and 114.1 kg/ha, respectively. However, the effect of rock phosphate application on the nitrogen content and fixation of the crop was not observed. Conclusion Rice husk biochar application at10 t/ha alone was sufficient for nitrogen content and fixation of the crop. This implies that farmers in the study area can apply rice husk biochar at10 t/ha to enhance the performance of the crop.

Leaf manganese (Mn) concentration has been used as a proxy for root exudation and phosphorus (P) uptake under controlled conditions, but there are limited field studies that confirm its validity. On an alkaline, P-poor soil, four lentil cultivars ('Samos', 'Thessaly', 'Flip', 'Algeria') received two P rates (0 and 26.2 kg P ha−1), for two growing seasons, to study whether aboveground assessments [leaf P, Mn, phenolic concentration (TPhe)] can approximate rhizosphere physiological traits related to P acquisition [soil acidification (ΔpH), arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) colonisation, acid phosphatase activity (APase)]. Phosphorus addition had no effect on the determined traits. Cultivars differed in leaf P, Mn, TPhe and AMF, but there was no clear pattern relating aboveground traits to rhizosphere traits related to P acquisition, thus not confirming that leaf Mn can be a proxy of root exudation. Of three growth stages [V 7–8, R1 (first bloom), R4 (flat pod)], R1 seemed to be critical, showing the highest leaf P, ΔpH, AMF and TPhe. Precipitation and temperatures over the growing season were determinants of lentil responses affecting rhizosphere activity, soil P availability and finally leaf traits. In conclusion, in lentil on alkaline and P-limiting soils, high leaf Mn and phenolic concentration are not reliable indicators of rhizosphere P-acquiring mechanisms. In four lentil cultivars, under two phosphorus (P) levels (0 and 26.2 kg P ha−1), in an alkaline, P-poor soil, rhizosphere physiological traits related to P acquisition mechanisms and putative leaf proxies (P, manganese and phenolic concentration) were assessed. Our results indicated that the soil–root complexity in phosphorus acquisition mechanisms cannot be assessed by a single rhizosphere trait nor approximated by a single leaf trait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing yield resiliency under water deficits remains a high priority for crop improvement. In considering the yield benefit of a plant trait modification, two facts are often overlooked: (1) the total amount of water available to a crop through a growing season ultimately constrains growth and yield cannot exceed what is possible with the limited amount of available water, and (2) soil water content always changes over time, so plant response needs to be considered within a temporally dynamic context of day-to-day variation in soil water status. Many previous evaluations of drought traits have implicitly considered water deficit from a "static" perspective, but while the static approach of stable water deficit treatments is experimentally congruous, the results are not realistic representations of real-world drought conditions, where soil water levels are always changing. No trait always results in a positive response under all drought scenarios. In this paper, we suggest two key traits for improving grain legume yield under water deficit conditions: (1) partial stomata closure at elevated atmospheric vapor pressure deficit that results in soil water conservation, and (2) lessening of the high sensitivity of nitrogen fixation activity to soil drying. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four lupin species, Lupinus angustifolius, L. albus, L. luteus, and L. mutabilis, are grown as cool-season grain legume crops. Fifteen viruses infect them. Two of these, bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), cause diseases that threaten grain lupin production. Phytosanitary and cultural control measures are mainly used to manage them. However, breeding virus-resistant lupin cultivars provides an additional management approach. The need to develop this approach stimulated a search for virus resistance sources amongst cultivated lupin species and their wild relatives. This review focuses on the progress made in optimizing virus resistance screening procedures, identifying host resistances to BYMV, CMV, and additional viral pathogen alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV), and the inclusion of BYMV and CMV resistance within lupin breeding programs. The resistance types found in different combinations of virus and grain lupin species include localized hypersensitivity, systemic hypersensitivity, extreme resistance, and partial resistance to aphid or seed transmission. These resistances provide a key enabler towards fast tracking gains in grain lupin breeding. Where studied, their inheritance depended upon single dominant genes or was polygenic. Although transgenic virus resistance was incorporated into L. angustifolius and L. luteus successfully, it proved unstable. Priorities for future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rhizoctonia solani is one of the most common soil-borne fungal pathogens of legume crops worldwide. We collected rDNA-ITS sequences from NCBI GenBank, and the aim of this study was to examine the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of various R. solani anastomosis groups (AGs) that are commonly associated with grain legumes (such as soybean, common bean, pea, peanut, cowpea, and chickpea) and forage legumes (including alfalfa and clover). Soybean is recognized as a host for multiple AGs, with AG-1 and AG-2 being extensively investigated. This is evidenced by the higher representation of sequences associated with these AGs in the NCBI GenBank. Other AGs documented in soybean include AG-4, AG-7, AG-11, AG-5, AG-6, and AG-9. Moreover, AG-4 has been extensively studied concerning its occurrence in chickpea, pea, peanut, and alfalfa. Research on the common bean has been primarily focused on AG-2, AG-4, and AG-1. Similarly, AG-1 has been the subject of extensive investigation in clover and cowpea. Collectively, AG-1, AG-2, and AG-4 have consistently been identified and studied across these diverse legume crops. The phylogenetic analysis of R. solani isolates across different legumes indicates that the distinct clades or subclades formed by the isolates correspond to their specific anastomosis groups (AGs) and subgroups, rather than being determined by their host legume crop. Additionally, there is a high degree of sequence similarity among isolates within the same clade or subclade. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) further supports this finding, as isolates belonging to the same AGs and/or subgroups cluster together, irrespective of their host legume. Therefore, the observed clustering of R. solani AGs and subgroups without a direct association with the host legume crop provides additional support for the concept of AGs in understanding the genetic relationships and evolution of R. solani. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adopting eco‐friendly diets will demand the consumption of more plant‐based protein food sources such as legumes. However, assessing the impact of such a dietary shift on the dietary and nutritional intake of traditionally omnivorous populations is needed. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of substituting a traditional omnivorous‐based lunch for a vegetarian, legume‐based meal on the daily dietary and nutritional intake in a group of omnivorous adults in the city of Porto, Portugal. Nineteen, non‐vegetarian, healthy young adults consumed a vegetarian, legume‐based meal from Monday to Friday, for 8 consecutive weeks. Socio‐demographic data, health status, lifestyle‐related information and anthropometric parameters were recorded. Three‐day food records were used to collect food intake at baseline and week 8. European Food Safety Authority and World Health Organization reference values were used to assess nutritional inadequacies. Variables were described as medians (P25 and P75). Wilcoxon signed‐rank and Mann–Whitney tests were used for statistical comparisons. A p‐value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Participants consumed 38.0 (P25 = 35.0; P75 = 40.0) meals, resulting in an intake of 84.5 g (P25 = 74.9; P75 = 98.4) of cooked legumes per meal, meaning 11 subjects (57.9%) met the Portuguese guidelines for legume consumption (≥80 g/day of legumes). The current dietary intervention did not seem to aggravate the prevalence of nutritional inadequacies for the macro‐ and micronutrients tested, except for the case of vitamin B12 (52.6% [95% CI: 28.9–75.6] vs. 78.9% [95% CI: 54.4–94.0]). This could be linked to the reduction of dietary sources of this vitamin which is an expected consequence of vegetarian meals. Dietary changes towards grain legume‐based diets are desirable yet need to be carefully implemented to prevent exacerbating potential nutrient inadequacies, especially of vitamin B12. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides an overview of the accuracy of various yield forecasting algorithms and offers a detailed explanation of the models and machine learning algorithms that are required for crop yield forecasting. A unified crop yield forecasting methodology is developed, which can be adjusted by adding new indicators and extensions. The proposed methodology is based on remote sensing data taken from free sources. Experiments were carried out on crops of cereals, legumes, oilseeds and forage crops in eastern Kazakhstan. Data on agricultural lands of the experimental farms were obtained using processed images from Sentinel-2 and Landsat-8 satellites (EO Browser) for the period of 2017–2022. In total, a dataset of 1600 indicators was collected with NDVI and MSAVI indices recorded at a frequency of once a week. Based on the results of this work, it is found that yields can be predicted from NDVI vegetation index data and meteorological data on average temperature, surface soil moisture and wind speed. A machine learning programming language can calculate the relationship between these indicators and build a neural network that predicts yield. The neural network produces predictions based on the constructed data weights, which are corrected using activation function algorithms. As a result of the research, the functions with the highest prediction accuracy during vegetative development for all crops presented in this paper are multi-layer perceptron, with a prediction accuracy of 66% to 99% (85% on average), and polynomial regression, with a prediction accuracy of 63% to 98% (82% on average). Thus, it is shown that the use of machine learning and neural networks for crop yield prediction has advantages over other mathematical modelling techniques. The use of machine learning (neural network) technologies makes it possible to predict crop yields on the basis of relevant data. The individual approach of machine learning to each crop allows for the determination of the optimal learning algorithms to obtain accurate predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four companies in Europe were chosen as case studies using an information-oriented selection procedure on the basis of their location, processing equipment and size, and through the adoption of a "maximum variation" approach. The purpose was to investigate how legume processors of various sizes and in different locations in the European protein legume market are working to increase their market share within the paradigm of efficiency gains from agricultural specialisation and trade in order to improve both food availability and security. After identifying company typologies and characteristics, the company case studies along the legume value chain were investigated. The analysis revealed that the supply market for grain legumes is expected to grow rapidly, and the various processors are increasing their market shares in terms of product type and geography. Based on the principles of agroecology and levels of food system change, the companies were found to be adopting promising business strategies, but are not disrupting the competitive patterns among existing European legume supply companies and food consumers that dominate the current regime. System change is far from taking place. However, conventional perspectives are being challenged and new ways of operating are being developed, indicating that a significant transition can be initiated that would move legumes away from being a niche sector, demonstrating to legume processors and consumers in the regime that there is an alternative and more sustainable pathway for the future, possibly stimulating larger-scale initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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.

Faba beans are one of the most suitable grain legume crop for colder, maritime climates. However, there is limited information on the effect of changing from conventional to organic production methods and potential impacts of global warming on the health and performance of faba bean crops in Northern Europe. We therefore assessed the performance of faba beans grown with contrasting crop protection (with and without pesticides) and fertilization (with and without P and K fertilizer input) regimes used in organic and conventional production in seven growing seasons. Conventional crop protection and fertilization regimes had no effect on foliar disease severity, but resulted in small, but significant increases in faba bean yields. The overall yield gap between organic and conventional production regimes was relatively small (~10%), but there was substantial variation in yields between growing seasons/years. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that climate explanatory variables/drivers explained the largest proportion of the variation in crop performance and identified strong positive associations between (i) temperature and both straw and grain yield and (ii) precipitation and foliar disease severity. However, RDA also identified crop protection and variety as significant explanatory variables for faba bean performance. The relatively small effect of using P and K fertilizers on yields and the lack of a measurable effect of fungicide applications on foliar disease severity indicate that the use of these inputs in conventional faba beans may not be economical. Results also suggest that the yield gap between organic and conventional faba bean production is significant, but smaller than for other field crops.

Grain legumes are fair sources of protein, amino acids and energy, and can be used as a replacement for soybean meal in poultry feed formulations as the soybean meal becomes short in supply and costly. However, a concern associated with the use of grain legumes in poultry feeding is the presence of antinutritional factors. The effective processing and utilisation of these grain legumes in poultry feeding are well documented. The current review focuses on four selected grain legumes (lupins [Lupinus albus and Lupinus angustifolius], field peas [Phaseolus vulgaris], faba beans [Vicia faba] and chickpeas [Cicer arietinum]) and their nutrient content, the presence of antinutritional factors, processing methods and feeding value, including updated data based on recent research findings.

Grain legumes represent important crops for livestock feed and contribute to novel uses in the food industry; therefore, the best cultivation practices need to be assessed. This study aimed to identify herbicides to meet the current need for controlling broadleaf weeds without phytotoxicity in the grain legume crop per se. Field experiments were undertaken during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons and laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replicates as follows: four grain legume crops (vetch, pea, faba bean, and white lupine) and nine pre-emergence (PRE) or post-emergence selective (POST) herbicide treatments (PRE: aclonifen, pendimethalin plus clomazone, metribuzin plus clomazone, benfluralin, terbuthylazine plus pendimethalin, S-metolachlor plus pendimethalin, flumioxazin; POST: pyridate, imazamox) alongside weedy check plots. Plant phytotoxicity, crop dry matter, yield features, weed presence, and weed dry matter were assessed during the experiments. There was differential efficacy among the nine herbicide treatments; the weed control was more effective in the case of Veronica arvensis L. and Sonchus spp. L. compared with Chenopodium album L., Sinapis arvensis L., and Silibum marianum L. regardless of the herbicide treatment. The most effective PRE herbicide was flumioxazin, which had the greatest control over the majority of weeds (>70%) resulting in the lowest total weed biomass. The second-best treatment was benfluralin and the mixture of terbuthylazine plus pendimethalin (both had only limited control in S. arvensis). The best POST herbicide was imazamox, with only limited control in S. arvensis. The tested herbicides caused low to medium and transient levels of phytotoxicity mainly in vetch and secondly in peas but not in faba beans and lupines. Concerning all weed management treatments, benfluralin resulted in the highest grain yields for all four grain legume crops during both growing seasons. Among grain legumes, vetch had the highest competitive ability against weeds, whereas peas were the least tolerant against weed competition.

The search for alternative protein sources to soybean meal (SBM) in animal feeding is a strategic objective to reduce production costs and contribute to sustainable animal production. Spirulina, due to the high protein content, has emerged as a potential cost-effective, sustainable, viable, and high-nutritional-value food resource for many animal species. Insect larvae (Tenebrio molitor and Hermetia illucens) are also considered potential alternatives to SBM, given their high edible percentage of almost 100%, as well as a protein value higher than that of vegetable proteins. Rapeseed meal and grain legumes, such as fava beans, peas, lupins, and chickpea, can also be used as locally producible protein ingredients. This study reviews the nutritional value of these potential alternatives to SBM in pig diets, and their effects on animal performance, digestion, immune system, and the physicochemical and sensorial characteristics of meat, including processed pork products. The limits on their use in pig feeding are also reviewed to indicate gaps to be filled in future research on the supplementation level of these potential alternative protein sources in pig diets.

Global climate change is one of the major constraints limiting plant growth, production, and sustainability worldwide. Moreover, breeding efforts in the past years have focused on improving certain favorable crop traits, leading to genetic bottlenecks. The use of crop wild relatives (CWRs) to expand genetic diversity and improve crop adaptability seems to be a promising and sustainable approach for crop improvement in the context of the ongoing climate challenges. In this review, we present the progress that has been achieved towards CWRs exploitation for enhanced resilience against major abiotic stressors (e.g., water deficiency, increased salinity, and extreme temperatures) in crops of high nutritional and economic value, such as tomato, legumes, and several woody perennial crops. The advances in -omics technologies have facilitated the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms that may underlie abiotic stress tolerance. Comparative analyses of whole genome sequencing (WGS) and transcriptomic profiling (RNA-seq) data between crops and their wild relative counterparts have unraveled important information with respect to the molecular basis of tolerance to abiotic stressors. These studies have uncovered genomic regions, specific stress-responsive genes, gene networks, and biochemical pathways associated with resilience to adverse conditions, such as heat, cold, drought, and salinity, and provide useful tools for the development of molecular markers to be used in breeding programs. CWRs constitute a highly valuable resource of genetic diversity, and by exploiting the full potential of this extended allele pool, new traits conferring abiotic-stress tolerance may be introgressed into cultivated varieties leading to superior and resilient genotypes. Future breeding programs may greatly benefit from CWRs utilization for overcoming crop production challenges arising from extreme environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lentil, a major grain legume in the Mediterranean region, grows under rainfed conditions, on alkaline, P-poor soils where cultivar and rhizosphere microbes may determine nutrient uptake and seed yield (SY). Four cultivars ('Samos', 'Thessaly', 'Ikaria', 'Flip') were grown under four P rates (0, 13.1, 26.2, 39.3 kg P ha−1) for two growing seasons to determine optimum P rates and traits determining SY. Rates up to 26.2 kg P ha−1 increased SY via increasing aboveground biomass at full bloom (DW), P concentration and number of pods/plant. Phosphorus affected alkaline phosphatase activity (ALPase) but not N2-fixation (%Ndfa), arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization (AMF) and acid phosphatase activity (APase). The early-maturing cv. 'Flip' outperformed escaping thermal and water stress during reproduction and allocating more biomass to reproduction, thus showing increased number of pods/plant and harvest index. 'Flip' had high N (41.2) and P (2.88 mg kg−1) concentrations, but low DW (289.7 g m−2), %Ndfa (63.6%), AMF (39.6%) and ALPase (257.50 PN μg g−1 h−1). In the wetter and cooler growing season of 2015, SY (434.56 g m−2), yield components and AMF (49.4%) were higher, but ALPase (258.00 PN μg g−1 h−1) and APase (131.45 PN μg g−1 h−1) were lower than 2014. After removal of lentil straw at harvest, soil residual NO3-N and P-Olsen did not differ among cultivars, however, in the wetter 2015 both were higher compared to 2014. Thus, application of 26.2 P ha−1 and an early-maturing cultivar increased SY due to increased fruiting without compromising %Ndfa, AMF and APase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Wildlife-friendly management practices promote pollinators and pollination services in agricultural landscapes. Wild bee densities are driven by landscape composition, as they benefit from an increased availability of nesting and foraging resources at landscape scale. However, effects of landscape composition on bee foraging decisions and consequences for crop pollination have rarely been studied. We investigated, how landscape composition affects bee densities and foraging behavior in faba bean (Vicia faba L.) fields and how this impacts faba bean yield. We recorded densities and nectar robbing behavior of honeybees, long- tongued and short-tongued bumblebees in faba bean fields in eleven landscapes with varying landscape composition (e.g. land cover of oilseed rape, faba bean and semi-natural habitats). Moreover, we assessed yield components of faba beans via pollinator exclusion experiments. Increasing covers of faba bean and semi-natural habitats positively influenced bumblebee densities, while high oilseed rape covers negatively affected short-tongued bumblebee densities in bean fields. Increased faba bean covers enhanced the proportion of nectar-robbing short-tongued bumblebees. The number of beans per pod was increased by insect pollination, while the number of pods was decreased; these effects however depended on variety. Landscape composition interacted with bee densities in shaping yield components in V. faba. Our study emphasizes the importance of considering landscape management to maximize crop yields, as shown for the case of faba beans. The composition of agricultural landscape can modulate bee densities in crop fields, bees foraging behavior and pollination services.

Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) by crop legumes reduces demand for industrial nitrogen fixation (INF). Nonetheless, rates of BNF in agriculture remain low, with strong negative feedback to BNF from reactive soil nitrogen (N) and drought. We show that breeding for yield has resulted in strong relationships between photosynthesis and leaf N in non-leguminous crops, whereas grain legumes show strong relations between leaf N and water use efficiency (WUE). We contrast these understandings with other studies that draw attention to the water costs of grain legume crops, and their potential for polluting the biosphere with N. We propose that breeding grain legumes for reduced stomatal conductance can increase WUE without compromising production or BNF. Legume crops remain a better bet than relying on INF.

A survey across Germany was undertaken from 2016-2019 to evaluate effects of management system (organic vs conventional), pedo-climatic conditions and crop rotation history on faba bean root health status, diversity of major root rot pathogens and yield. Root rot incidence was generally low and there was no effect of the management system on the spectrum of pathogens isolated. Among the most common fungal species identified, frequencies of Fusarium redolens and Didymella pinodella were significantly higher in roots from organic fields compared with conventional and lower was observed for F. avenaceum, F. tricinctum and F. culmorum. Faba bean roots were colonized at similar rates by F. equiseti and the members of the F. oxysporum (FOSC) and F. solani (FSSC) species complexes in both management systems. Almost no legumes had been grown in the 5-11 years preceding the conventional faba beans surveyed while legumes had almost always been present during this period in the organic fields. This difference in rotational histories between the farming systems led to apparent cropping systems effects on the isolation frequencies of several species. For example, D. pinodella was ubiquitous in organic fields with a high frequency of legumes in the rotations but much rarer and often absent in conventional fields. Pedoclimatic conditions, particularly cool conditions at sowing and plant emergence and/or during the vegetative season favored most of the most prevalent Fusarium species identified in this study. In organic systems, yields correlated negatively with D. pinodella and F. redolens frequencies whereas higher levels of F. tricintum in faba bean roots had a positive correlation with yield. In conventional systems, faba bean yields depended more on the total precipitation before sowing and during the main growing season but were also negatively correlated with the frequencies of FOSC and F. culmorum. Phylogenetic analysis based on the TEF1 alpha locus indicated that the FSSC isolates mainly belonged to the F. pisi lineage. In contrast, the FOSC isolates were placed in 9 different lineages, with a conspicuous dominance of F. libertatis that has until now not been associated with any leguminous host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Vicia sativa subsp. macrocarpa (V. macrocarpa), a large-seeded vetch, is underutilised and has been proposed as a putative source of seed feed along with V. sativa subsp. sativa (V. sativa , common vetch). Aims: The study aimed to compare the two subspecies for a range of seed yield and quality traits. Methods: Three accessions of each subspecies were grown under field conditions during two growing seasons. Measurements included pod and seed morphology, seed yield per plant, pod shattering and seed toughness, seed nutritional traits, and insect damage. Key results: No significant differences were found for seed weight per plant (9.95–14.75 g); however, V. macrocarpa accessions showed lower emergence percentages (7–18%) and higher pod shattering (4.01% vs 0.17%) than V. sativa. The higher number of seeds per pod (8.50 vs 7.49) and larger seeds (70.63 vs 59.67 g) significantly contributed to yield of V. macrocarpa. Over the six accessions, seed weight per plant was significantly correlated with harvest index. The darker seeds of V. macrocarpa had lower seed protein concentration (25.96% vs 27.89%) and higher concentrations of antinutritional phenolic compounds (total phenols, total tannins, condensed tannins, flavonoids). Seeds of V. macrocarpa were enriched in manganese (17.72 vs 12.65 mg/kg) compared with V. sativa , but poorer in potassium (8.44 vs 10.50 g/kg). The high manganese and phenolics concentrations in seeds of V. macrocarpa were associated with lower percentages of bruchid-infected seeds and endoparasitoid (Triaspis thoracicus) damaged seeds, possibly due to toxic effects. Conclusions: The two subspecies varied significantly in seed quality traits, but not yield. Implications: More extensive comparisons between the two subspecies, with larger numbers of accessions, are needed in order to determine the potential of V. macrocarpa as a source of seed feed. Common vetch (Vicia sativa) and the closely related but neglected/underutilised V. macrocarpa are potential sources of seed feed in dry regions. In a field study of three accessions of each for two growing seasons, no significant differences in seed weight per plant were found, but they differed significantly in seed protein concentration, potassium, manganese, phenolics and resistance to bruchids. Comparison of larger numbers of accessions is necessary for evaluating the potential of V. macrocarpa as a putative source of seed feed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crop domestication is a co-evolutionary process that has rendered plants and animals significantly dependent on human interventions for survival and propagation. Grain legumes have played an important role in the development of Neolithic agriculture some 12,000 years ago. Despite being early companions of cereals in the origin and evolution of agriculture, the understanding of grain legume domestication has lagged behind that of cereals. Adapting plants for human use has resulted in distinct morpho-physiological changes between the wild ancestors and domesticates, and this distinction has been the focus of several studies aimed at understanding the domestication process and the genetic diversity bottlenecks created. Growing evidence from research on archeological remains, combined with genetic analysis and the geographical distribution of wild forms, has improved the resolution of the process of domestication, diversification and crop improvement. In this review, we summarize the significance of legume wild relatives as reservoirs of novel genetic variation for crop breeding programs. We describe key legume features, which evolved in response to anthropogenic activities. Here, we highlight how whole genome sequencing and incorporation of omics-level data have expanded our capacity to monitor the genetic changes accompanying these processes. Finally, we present our perspective on alternative routes centered on de novo domestication and re-domestication to impart significant agronomic advances of novel crops over existing commodities. A finely resolved domestication history of grain legumes will uncover future breeding targets to develop modern cultivars enriched with alleles that improve yield, quality and stress tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Farmers in northern Ghana have been cultivating soyabean with very little or no agro-inputs due to cost and limited accessibility. Use of quality agro-inputs can significantly improve the productivity of soyabean. This study assesses farmers' current use of soyabean production agro-inputs, identifies challenges faced by smallholder farmers in soyabean cultivation and assesses factors influencing farmers' willingness-to-pay (WTP) for soyabean inputs (determinants) in northern Ghana. Four hundred (400) smallholder soyabean farmers were sampled using a multi-stage sampling method. In stage one, the study area was stratified into three regions, northern, upper east and upper west regions. Stage two encompassed purposive sampling of eight (8) districts across the three northern regions famed for soyabean production. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were conducted. Descriptive statistics were performed and a contingency valuation method (CVM) was used to assess key determinants that influence farmers' WTP for soyabean inputs. The results show that 74 % of the respondents were willing to pay for the soyabean inputs. However, 43, 47.3, 39.5 and 49.5 % of respondents were willing to pay at the bid price of 1.06/kg, 3.98/litre, 31.91/50kg bag and USD 5.32/100g sachet for certified seeds, herbicide (glyphosate), TSP fertiliser and inoculants, respectively. Age, household size, access to credit, participation and gains made from on-farm demonstrations significantly influenced farmers' willingness to purchase certified soyabean seeds. Factors that significantly influenced farmers' willingness to purchase glyphosate included household size, purpose and experience in soyabean production. In the case of triple superphosphaste fertiliser (TSP), access to extension services, participation and gains from farm demonstrations and distance to the nearest agro-input shop were identified as key determinants. Farmers' willingness to purchase inoculants markedly correlated with age, credit, participation in on-field demonstrations, membership of farmer-based organisation and experience in soyabean production. The results of this study form a basis for making a business case for agro-input companies to invest in the distribution and sale of the newly introduced soyabean production inputs in northern Ghana. Development and promotion of early maturing and drought tolerant soyabean varieties by the National Agricultural Research Institutes are required to enable farmers to cope with the changing climatic conditions which pose a threat to soyabean production in northern Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]