ABSTRACT
Legumes represent the second most important plant family in agriculture after the Poaceae or grass family. The two widely consumed types of legumes belong to two different genera, namely the Phaseolus and the Vigna, commonly refer to as common beans and peas, respectively. Biotic and abiotic stresses have been recognized to be the major constraints in enhancing the productivity of legume food crops in general. Mung bean is an important grain legume as well, especially in Asia, but also eaten in southern Europe and in the southern United States. Agricultural food production is facing enormous challenges, leading to an insufficient food supply with low productivity and quality standards. Abiotic stresses affecting cowpea production include drought, heat, and low soil fertility. Very limited studies attempting to elucidate the responses of rice bean to abiotic stress exist. Biotic and abiotic stresses are the major constraints in enhancing the productivity of legume food crops, in general, and of Vigna legumes in particular.
