Effects of Photoperiod and Drought on Flowering and Growth Development of Protein-Rich Legumes under Atlantic Environments

Legumes have an important role in European agriculture. They assimilate N2 to sustainably support maximum crop growth, turn providing high-protein food for human consumption and livestock feed. However, the extent of area legume cultivation Europe has declined due lower economic competitiveness legumes relation other crops, particularly cereals oilseed. To increase yields, there is a need genetic diversity terms adaptation environmental stresses. We attempted address this by conducting field controlled experiments under drought vs. nondrought different photoperiod conditions. The current study identified physiological agronomic traits correlated with productivity quality performance five economically grain species (Pisum sativum, Phaseolus vulgaris, Cicer arietinum, Lupinus spp., Vicia faba). In all species, days flowering seed yield were affected temperature photoperiod. For cool-season long-day photoperiods favorable was negatively average air temperature. warm-season legumes, short-day warm temperatures favorable. Under stress, C/N balance, leaf nutrient (Ca, Fe, K) concentrations, significantly reduced, contrary Zn accumulation, information may contribute improving our understanding ability develop sustainable growth. Based on results, we conclude that drought-tolerant photoperiod-insensitive genotypes constitute valuable starting materials future programs aimed at improvement global/regional scale, which helps strengthen growth farmers.