Modeling in Legumes, with Emphasis on Beans Crop.

The most widely produced grain legume for human consumption in the world is the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). This plant is native to the Americas, where it plays an important role in the daily diet. The environment where beans are grown is varied, from tropical zones to high mountains, with different growth habits and production systems, from highly technical to traditional. Therefore, efforts in bean crop modeling should start from identifying the type of bean and the target system. Beans are very sensitive to abiotic stress, a fact that has encouraged the modeling of their possible response under climate change scenarios. For this, a literature review was carried out to identify modeling exercises carried out in Latin America, which include growth studies (node production rates and leaf area), phenology and yield. The models used in these studies include EcoCrop, CROPGRO-DRYBEAN (implemented on the DSSAT platform), and in one case of each, Maxent and CLIMEX. Four studies are described in detail: in the two countries with the highest production in the world (Brazil and Mexico), and in Central America as a region highly vulnerable to climate change. Studies agree that bean productivity could suffer serious negative effects in the course of the 21st century because of climate change. Finally, a recent exercise to collect historical data from bean trials in Latin America is reported to feed future modeling efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]