Abstract
Environmental stress generally causes considerable yield loss in leguminous
crop production. This stress could be biotic (Insect pests, disease pathogens, weeds,
vertebrate pests, etc.) or abiotic (Drought, heat, cold, salinity, flooding, heavy metal
contamination, etc.). Either biotic or abiotic stress, both are capable of causing total
yield loss. Unfortunately, crops are simultaneously exposed to these stress factors on
the field. The response and level of tolerance to both stress factors, however, depend on
the crop's genetic and nutritional status. The level of infection or infestation is
determined by the cropping system and soil nutrient status. The induction of defense
mechanisms by plants in response to pathogenic attack is dependent on environmental
conditions like plant nutrient status. It means that there is a complex signaling network
with crop nutrition that enables the plants to recognize and protect themselves against
pathogens and other environmental stresses. The disease severity could be reduced by
adequate crop nutrition due to host nutrient availability, plant composition of secondary
metabolites, and the effect on the plant defense mechanisms. Shortages in essential
nutrients on their own can predispose plants to attack by pests and pathogens.
Therefore, the only sustainable method for growing crops in the face of different
environmental stresses is good crop nutrition. A well-fed crop is more resistant to
environmental hazards than poorly-fed crop. Though leguminous crops can fix
atmospheric nitrogen themselves, the nutritional requirements for healthy crop
production are more than just one element. The ability to fix nitrogen, if combined with
appropriate crop nutrition will place the plant in a better position to withstand
environmental stresses. This chapter discusses some of the different nutrient elements
required by leguminous crops and their functions, crop nutrition abiotic stress
tolerance, and mechanisms of nutrient-induced resistance in leguminous crops.