Managing Water Stress by Potassium Fertilizer in Legumes for Sustainable Agricultural Intensification: A Review

Abstract

Water stress has become the most uncontrolled and unpredictable factor, which is continuously limiting production in crops. Legumes are the major source of protein and are well-recognized for their nutritional benefits as well as their impact on the sustainability of agricultural systems are well known. Leguminous crops are severely affected by water stress causing alterations in various development processes. Proper nutrient management helps in attaining economical legume yields from drought-prone lands. The protective role of potassium in plants suffering from water stress has been documented and it positively influences plant capacity to adjust water stress conditions. This review compromises the information on the water stress-induced harmful effects on legumes growth, nitrogen fixation, gaseous exchange and mineral uptake parameters and proposes appropriate management by potassium application to alleviate the severity of water stres on above mentioned parameters. Application of potassium proved to meet higher yield from legume on cultivation under low/residual soil moisture availability conditions.