The impact of climate change-induced abiotic stresses on the nutritional quality of legume seeds

Summary

This narrative review synthesises current knowledge on how climate change-induced abiotic stresses—drought, heat, and elevated CO₂—affect the nutritional quality of legume seeds across multiple crops. The authors highlight underlying regulatory mechanisms governing changes in protein, micronutrients, and bioactive compounds, and conclude that field-based research is essential to translate findings into practical recommendations for legume cultivation in target growing environments. The work addresses a knowledge gap despite the recognised importance of legumes to agricultural sustainability and food security.

Regional applicability

The findings are potentially applicable to United Kingdom legume cultivation, particularly as climate projections indicate increased drought and heat stress risk. However, the review's conclusions emphasise the need for UK-specific field studies to validate stress-response mechanisms under local edaphic and climatic conditions before informing breeding or agronomic practice recommendations.

Key measures

Protein content, amino acid profiles, mineral composition, carbohydrate content, lipid profiles, bioactive compound concentrations in legume seeds under varying climate stress conditions

Outcomes reported

This review critically examined how drought, high temperatures, and elevated CO₂ levels individually and in combination affect nutritional composition of legume seeds, including protein, amino acids, minerals, carbohydrates, lipids, and bioactive compounds. The authors identify the need to shift cultivation practices and emphasise the importance of field studies beyond controlled environments for practical applicability.

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