Toward Drought-Resilient Legumes: Integrative Mechanisms and Breeding Strategies

Abstract

Drought stress adversely affects the growth, development, and output of legumes, presenting a considerable challenge to agriculture. This article analyzes the genetic, physiological, and biochemical factors that allow legumes to withstand dry conditions. It examines the impact of drought on germination, seedling establishment, vegetative growth, and reproduction, emphasizing the stages most influenced by water deficiency. The review examines the decline in yield and quality resulting from drought, along with the biochemical and genetic underpinnings of drought resistance. Essential drought-resistant genes, along with genomic methodologies like genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, are highlighted as vital for the identification of advantageous features for breeding. The study examines breeding options for creating drought-resistant legume varieties, encompassing both traditional and biotechnological methods. This study examines the role of beneficial microorganisms in enhancing drought tolerance, emphasizing plant-microbe interactions that strengthen stress resilience. Additionally, appropriate management strategies for legume cultivation in arid conditions are examined, alongside physiological and biochemical indicators for evaluating drought resistance. This paper synthesizes existing research to explain the mechanisms of drought resistance in legumes and emphasizes prospective research avenues for enhancing drought resilience via breeding, biotechnology, and integrated management.