Coordinated responses of leaf and nodule traits contribute to the accumulation of N in relay intercropped soybean

Maize(Zea mays L.)-soybean(Glycine max L.Merr.)relay intercropping provides a way to enhance land productivity.However,the late-planted soybean suffers from shading by the maize.After maize harvest,how the recovery growth influences the leaf and nodule traits remains unclear.A three-year field experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of genotypes,i.e.,supernodulating(nts1007),Nandou 12(ND12),and Guixia 3(GX3),and crop configurations,i.e.,the interspecific row spacing of 45(I45),60(I60),75 cm(I75),and sole soybean(SS),on soybean recovery growth and N fixation.The results showed that intercropping reduced the soybean total leaf area(LA)by reducing both the leaf number(LN)and unit leaflet area(LUA),and it reduced the nodule dry weight(NW)by reducing both the nodule number(NN)and nodule diameter(ND)compared with the SS.The correlation and principal component analysis(PCA)indicated a co-variability of the leaf and nodule traits in response to the genotype and crop configuration interactions.During the recovery growth stages,the compensatory growth promoted soybean growth to reduce the gaps of leaf and nodule traits between intercropping and SS.The relative growth rates of ureide(RGR_U)and nitrogen(RGR_N)accumulation were higher in intercropping than in SS.Intercropping achieved more significant sucrose and starch contents compared with SS.ND12 and GX3 showed more robust compensatory growth than nts1007 in intercropping.Although the recovery growth of relay intercropping soybean improved biomass and nitrogen accumulation,ND12 gained a more significant partial land equivalent ratio(pLER)than GX3.The I60 treatment achieved more robust compensation effects on biomass and N accumulation than the other configurations.Meanwhile,I60 showed a higher nodule sucrose content and greater shoot ureide and N accumulation than SS.Finally,intercropping ND12 with maize using an interspecific row spacing of 60 cm was optimal for both yield advantage and N accumulation.

Rapeseed research and production in China

Rapeseed(Brassica napus L.) is the largest oilseed crop in China and accounts for about 20% of world production.For the last 10 years,the production,planting area,and yield of rapeseed have been stable,with improvement of seed quality and especially seed oil content.China is among the leading countries in rapeseed genomic research internationally,having jointly with other countries accomplished the whole genome sequencing of rapeseed and its two parental species,Brassica oleracea and Brassica rapa.Progress on functional genomics including the identification of QTL governing important agronomic traits such as yield,seed oil content,fertility regulation,disease and insect resistance,abiotic stress,nutrition use efficiency,and pod shattering resistance has been achieved.As a consequence,molecular markers have been developed and used in breeding programs.During 2005–2014,215 rapeseed varieties were registered nationally,including 210 winter-and 5 spring-type varieties.Mechanization across the whole process of rapeseed production was investigated and operating instructions for all relevant techniques were published.Modern techniques for rapeseed field management such as high-density planting,controlled-release fertilizer,and biocontrol of disease and pests combined with precision tools such as drones have been developed and are being adopted in China.With the application of advanced breeding and production technologies,in the near future,the oil yield and quality of rapeseed varieties will be greatly increased,and more varieties with desirable traits,especially early maturation,high yield,high resistance to biotic and abiotic stress,and suitability for mechanized harvesting will be developed.Application of modern technologies on the mechanized management of rapeseed will greatly increase grower profit.

Genome editing opens a new era of genetic improvement in polyploid crops

Sequence-specific nucleases(SSN) that generate double-stranded DNA breaks(DSBs) in genes of interest are the key to site-specific genome editing in plants. Genome editing has developed into one method of reducing undesirable traits in crops by the induction of knockout mutations. Different SSN-mediated genome-editing systems, including LAGLIDADG homing endonucleases or meganucleases, zinc-finger nucleases, transcription activator-like effector nucleases and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, are emerging as robust tools for introducing functional mutations in polyploid crops including citrus, wheat, cotton, soybean, rapeseed, potato, grapes, Camelina sativa,dandelion, and tobacco. The approach utilizes knowledge of biological mechanisms for targeted induction of DSBs and their error-prone repair, allowing highly specific changes at designated genome loci. In this review, we briefly describe genome-editing technologies and their application to genetic improvement of polyploid crops.

Improving Water Use Efficiency of Wheat Crop Varieties in the North China Plain: Review and Analysis

The North China Plain （NCP）, one of the most important agricultural regions in China, is facing a major water-resource crisis evoked by excessive exploitation of groundwater. To reduce water use while maintaining high crop production level, improving variety water use efficiency （WUE） is an urgent need, especially because other water-saving measures such as water delivery, irrigation, and agricultural practices have already achieved most possible progresses. Evaluation of variety WUE can be performed accurately at the individual plant level （WUEp）. Reviewing the studies on physiological factors affecting WUE p performed up to date, stomatal conductance was considered to be an important trait associating closely with WUE p . The trait showed a large degree of varietal variability under well-watered conditions. Crop varieties differ highly in sensitivity of stomata to soil and air drying, with some varieties strongly reducing their stomatal conductance in contrast with those lightly regulating their stomata. As a result, difference among varieties in WUE p was enlarged under water deficit conditions in contrast with those under well-watered conditions. The relationship between stomatal conductance and yield depends on water availability of whole growing period in local areas. Usually, large stomatal conductance results in a high yield under good irrigation system, whereas a low stomatal conductance can lead to yield benefit under limited stored soil moisture conditions. In the NCP, winter wheat is the largest consumer of irrigation water, improvement strategies for high WUE aiming at wheat crops are in urgent need. We suggest, for the well-irrigated areas with excessive exploitation of groundwater, the wheat breeding program need to combine medium stomatal conductance （0.35 mmol H2O m-2 s-1 or so）, high carboxylation efficiency, and high harvest index. Areas with partial/full access to irrigation, or infrequent drought, should target wheat varieties with high stomatal conductance under no water stress and low sensitivity of stomata to soil water deficit. Drought-prone rain-fed areas characterized by frequent and long terminal drought should target wheat varieties with low stomatal conductance under no water stress and high stomata sensitivity to soil drying to make water available during grain filling.

Wheat streak mosaic virus： incidence in field crops, potential reservoir within grass species and uptake in winter wheat cultivars

Wheat streak mosaic virus（WSMV）has become a re-emerging pathogen in cereal crops in the Czech Republic.WSMV was first reported in the former Czechoslovakia in the early 1980s,and then no record of the virus was documented until 2009.The incidence of the virus was recorded in recent years in several winter wheat fields and many grass species.Here,we surveyed the incidence of WSMV in cereal crops.The results demonstrated the existence of the virus in winter wheat and volunteer wheat during each year of the monitoring period,which spanned from 2013–2016.Although the range of infected samples was low（6.4%of the total tested samples）,a high incidence of well-distributed virus was recorded.In at least six fields,the virus reached severe and potentially epidemic levels.In accordance with our previous report detailing WSMV infection of native grasses,we tested several grass species commonly grown in the Czech Republic.We found that some grass species acted as experimental hosts and possible reservoirs of the virus;these included Anthoxanthum odoratum（sweet vernal grass）,Arrhenatherum elatius（false oat-grass）,Lolium multiflorum（Italian rye-grass）,Bromus japonicus（Japanese chess）,Echinochloa crus-galli（barnyard grass）,Holcus lanatus（meadow soft grass）and Holcus mollis（creeping soft grass）.Some of these grass species are also important weeds of cereals,which may be the potential source of WSMV infection in cereal crops.Several widely used winter wheat cultivars were tested in the field after artificial inoculation with WSMV to evaluate virus titre by RT-qPCR.Overall,the tested cultivars had a low virus titre,which is associated with mild disease symptoms and may provide a good level of crop resistance to WSMV.

Shade adaptive response and yield analysis of different soybean genotypes in relay intercropping systems

Soybean is one of the major oil seed crops,which is usually intercropped with other crops to increase soybean production area and yield.However,soybean is highly sensitive to shading.It is unclear if soybean morphology responds to shading（i.e.,shade tolerance or avoidance）and which features may be suitable as screening materials in relay strip intercropping.Therefore,in this study,various agronomic characteristics of different soybean genotypes were analyzed under relay intercropping conditions.The soybean materials used in this study exhibited genetic diversity,and the coefficient of variations of the agronomic parameters ranged from 13.84 to 72.08%during the shade period and from 6.44 to 52.49%during the maturity period.The ratios of shading to full irradiance in stem mass fraction（SMF）were almost greater than 1,whereas opposite results were found in the leaves.Compared with full irradiance,the average stem length（SL）,leaf area ratio（LAR）and specific leaf area（SLA）for the two years（2013 and 2014）increased by 0.78,0.47 and 0.65 under shady conditions,respectively.However,the stem diameter（SD）,total biomass（TB）,leaf area（LA）,number of nodes（NN）on the main stem,and number of branches（BN）all decreased.During the shady period,the SL and SMF exhibited a significant negative correlation with yield,and the SD exhibited a significant positive correlation with yield.The correlation between the soybean yield and agronomic parameters during the mature period,except for SL,the first pod height（FPH）,100-seed weight（100-SW）,and reproductive growth period（RGP）,were significant（P〈0.01）,especially for seed weight per branch（SWB）,pods per plant（PP）,BN,and vegetative growth period（VGP）.These results provide an insight into screening the shade tolerance of soybean varieties and can be useful in targeted breeding programs of relay intercropped soybeans.

Effects on Agronomic Traits,Yield and Benefit of One-year Triple Cropping "Maize-soybean" Strip Intercropping System Under Reduced Fertilizer Application

[Objectives] This study was conducted to investigate the effects on agronomic traits,yield and benefit of one-year triple cropping " maize-soybean" strip intercropping system under reduced fertilizer application. [Methods]A single factor randomized block design was used,and wide and narrow strip intercropping was adopted. Three different fertilization treatments,namely fertilizers for conventional field fertilization( A1),80% A1( A2) and 60% A1( A3) were applied to the field production. The fertilizing sites were about 25 cm away from maize and repeated three times. [Results]Compared with A1,the change laws of the agronomic traits and yield in the A2 and A3 intercropping systems were described as below. Agronomic traits: The plant height became shorter gradually for the spring soybean,but increased gradually for the summer soybean,the bottom pod height gradually reduced,and the node number,pods per plant and seeds per plant increased;and the plant height,ear length,rows per ear,seeds per row and 1 000-seed weight of the spring maize decreased. Yield: The yield of maize as the main crop decreased but not significant,by 3. 20% and 3. 99%,respectively in A2 and A3,both smaller than 5. 00%;the yield of the spring soybean significantly increased by 9. 70% and 11. 84%,respectively;the yield of the summer soybean increased by 5. 18% and 8. 98%,respectively;and the total yield increased by 0. 20% and 0. 92%,respectively. Benefit: The total output value increased by 2. 97 % and 4. 91 %,respectively,and the total benefit increased by 6. 39% and 11. 22%,respectively. [Conclusions] Under a 40% reduction in fertilizer applied in the field,the one-year triple cropping " maize-soybean" strip intercropping system still met the multi-target requirements of increasing grain production and economic benefits,and thus can be promoted and applied in Guangxi.

De novo design of future rapeseed crops:Challenges and opportunities

To address the global demand for rapeseed while considering farmers’profit,we face the challenges of making a quantum leap in seed yield and,at the same time,reducing yield loss due to biotic and abiotic stresses.We also face the challenge of efficiently applying new transformative biotechnology tools such as gene editing and breeding by genome design to increase rapeseed productivity and profitability.In this Perspective,we review advances in research on the physiological and genetic bases of both stress factorsaffected yield stability and seed yield potential,focusing on source–sink relationships and allocation of photosynthetic assimilates to vegetative growth and seed development.We propose research directions and highlight the role of plant architecture in the relative contributions of the root system,leaves,and pods to seed yield.We call for de novo design of new rapeseed crops.We review trait variation in existing germplasm and biotechnologies available for crop design.Finally,we discuss opportunities to apply fundamental knowledge and key germplasm to rapeseed production and propose an ideotype for de novo design of future rapeseed cultivars.

Safe conservation and utilization of peanut germplasm resources in the Oil Crops Middle-term Genebank of China

Peanut(Arachis hypogaea L.)is an important oil and cash crop in the world.Peanut germplasm collected in China are abundant,which provides important material guarantee for peanut breeding and industrial development.Here,the safe conservation technology and indicators of peanut germplasm resources in the Oil Crops Middleterm Genebank of China were expounded from three processes of storage,monitoring,reproduction and renewal.We summarized and reviewed the situation of conservation and utilization of peanut germplasm resources in the Middle-term Genebank in the past 20 years.The future research direction of peanut resources in the Oil Crops Middle-term Genebank of China is prospected.

Regulatory Network of Transcription Factors in Response to Drought in Arabidopsis and Crops

Drought is one of the most important environmental constraints limiting plant growth, development and crop yield. Many drought-inducible genes have been identified by molecular and genomic analyses in Arabidopsis, rice and other crops. To better understand reaction mechanism of plant to drought tolerance, we mainly focused on introducing the research of transcription factors （TFs） in signal transduction and regulatory network of gene expression conferring drought. A TF could bind multiple target genes to increase one or more kinds of stress tolerance. Sometimes, several TFs might act together with a target gene. So drought-tolerance genes or TFs might respond to high-salinity, cold or other stresses. The crosstalk of multiple stresses signal pathways is a crucial aspect of understanding stress signaling.

Management of rice straw with relay cropping of Chinese milk vetch improved double-rice cropping system production in southern China

Improved utilization of rice(Oryza sativa L.)straw and Chinese milk vetch(Astragalus sinicus L.,vetch)has positive effects on rice production.So far,few studies have investigated the productivity of vetch under different residue management practices in double-rice cropping system.The effects of rice straw on the growth and nutrient accumulation of vetch across seven years(2011–2017)and the subsequent effects of rice straw and vetch on two succeeding rice crops in a vetch–rice–rice cropping system,with the vetch established by relay cropping,were examined.The seven-year double-rice experiment consisted of the following treatments:(1)100%chemical fertilizer(F-F100);(2)only vetch without chemical fertilizer(M-Con);(3)80%chemical fertilizer plus vetch plus a low-cutting height(low-retained stubble)with the removal of straw(M-F80);(4)80%chemical fertilizer plus vetch plus a low-cutting height with the retention of straw(M-F80-LR);(5)80%chemical fertilizer plus vetch plus a high-cutting height(high-retained stubble)with the retention of straw(M-F80-HR);and(6)no fertilizer(F-Con).The yields of the two rice crops after vetch were not affected by either the cutting height of stubble with retention of straw or by the management of straw(retention vs.removal)with low-cutting height of stubble.The yields of the two rice crops after vetch were significantly higher for M-F80-HR than for M-F80-LR,but the relative contributions of the high-cutting height and straw retention to the higher rice yield could not be determined in this study.The yield stability of the double-rice grain in M-F80-HR was also increased,as determined by a sustainable yield index.Significant increases in vetch biomass and nutrient uptake were observed in the fertilized treatments during the rice season compared with the unfertilized treatments.In M-F80-HR plots,improvements in the growing environment of the vetch by conserving soil water content were associated with the highest vetch biomass,nutrient uptake,and yield stability of vetch biomass.These increased nutrient inputs partially replaced the demand for chemical fertilizer and stimulated the rice yields.It can be concluded that retaining higher-cutting stubble residues with straw retention could be the best straw management practice for increasing the vetch biomass and nutrient use efficiency,thereby allowing utilization of high-cutting height with retention of straw and vetch to improve the stability of rice productivity in a double-rice cropping system.

Research status of soybean symbiosis nitrogen fixation

Soybean(Glycine max)is one of the most important economic legume crops with largest planting area,and is also an important oil crop,as well as food and feed material.Soybean-rhizobia symbiosis plays important roles in plant cultivation and fertilizer application.However,there are many problems in agricultural application of soybean symbiotic nitrogen fixation.In this review,we summarized three restriction factors(host specificity,low nitrogen fixation efficiency and abiotic stress)and discussed research progresses of these factors.Clarification of host specific mechanism will help to select and apply rhizobia inoculants.Both maintaining high nitrogenase activity and delaying nodule senescence can improve the efficiency of symbiotic nitrogen fixation.Abiotic stress-tolerant rhizobia can improve the abiotic stress tolerance of soybean.Breeding stress tolerant genotypes of soybean and rhizobia,obtaining correlated genes are the common strategies to improve soybean symbiotic nitrogen fixation under extreme conditions.Regulatory mechanisms of these restriction factors are still poorly understood and needs further clarification.

Effects of Different Intercropping Patterns on Population Yield and Benefit of Fresh Maize and Mung Bean

In order to find the best intercropping pattern of fresh maize and mung bean, five planting patterns, namely fresh maize monocropping, mung bean monocropping, fresh maize and mung bean intercropping at row ratios of 2∶4, 3∶3 and 4∶2 were set up, and the yields and economic benefits of these planting patterns were analyzed. The results showed that the LERs of the three intercropping patterns were all above 1, and the economic benefits of 2∶4, 3∶3 and 4∶2 fresh maize and mung bean intercropping patterns were seen an increase of 2.85%, 17.64% and 14.26% respectively compared with fresh maize monocropping and an increase of 52.06%, 73.92% and 68.93% respectively compared with mung bean monocropping.Among the three intercropping patterns, the intercropping pattern with row ratio 3∶3showed the best effect, which also derived the highest LER with greatest economic benefit.

Maximizing Land Use Efficiency by Intercropping Cowpea with Some Maize Cultivars under Different Maize Planting Geometries

Adjustment of planting geometry along with suitable maize cultivar can be a viable tool for maximizing land usage and net return. A two-year study was carried out at Serw Agricultural Experiments and Research Station, A.R.C., Domiate governorate, Egypt, during 2015 and 2016 seasons to evaluate intercropping cowpea with suitable maize cultivar and its planting geometry for maximizing land usage and net return. The treatments were the combinations between three maize cultivars (SC 30K08, TWC 310 and TWC 352) and three maize plant distributions (one plant/hill distanced at 25, 50 and 75 cm between hills, respectively). Ridge width with maize plant distribution formed maize planting geometry (25 cm × 140 cm, 50 cm × 140 cm and 75 cm × 140 cm). These treatments were compared in a split plot distribution in randomized complete block design with three replications. Maize cultivar SC 30K08 had the highest grain yield and its attributes compared with the other cultivars in both seasons. Also, maize planting geometry 25 cm × 140 cm resulted in the highest grain yield and its attributes compared with the other planting geometries in both seasons. Ear length, ear weight, 100-grain weight and grain yield/fad were affected significantly by maize cultivars × maize planting geometry. Intercropping cowpea with maize cultivar TWC 352 had the highest seed yield and its attributes compared with those intercropped with the other cultivars in both seasons. Also, maize planting geometry 75 cm × 140 cm resulted in the highest seed yield and its attributes through growing two cowpea rows between maize hills compared with the other maize planting geometries in both seasons. Number of pods/plant and seed yield/fad were affected significantly by maize cultivars × maize planting geometry. LER and LEC values of the intercrops were much greater than 1.00 and 0.25, respectively, for all the combinations indicating less land requirements of intercropping system than solid culture of both crops. Growing one row of maize cultivar TWC352 in both sides of bed 140 cm width with cowpea two rows in middle of the bed increased land productivity and net return compared with solid culture of maize.

Possible Experimental Mistakes in Agricultural Research

The basic question is whether our contemporary methods really describe exactly the “plant world” around us, experiments or if it is the result of the current “imperfect” level of pieces of knowledge. Frankly, experiments are often burdened with many errors in sampling, in the selection of experimental plants, at the simulation of environmental stress, in light composition and lighting methods, shortly by a lot of mistakes. Experimental conditions of individual authors in evaluating the same issue often differ—that is to say, results are difficult to compare. The artificial experimental environment should simulate selected average external conditions of a given crop. Very important is the identification of important growth phases and traits that are suitable for the evaluation of the main experimental task. Bad results and also conclusions of experiments can be by either ignorance of these facts or by incorrectly prepared experiments. Very important is also a knowledge level of concerning tested problematic. The main goal is not only to point out the need for measuring important properties of plants in a physiologically correct stage of growth and development, by suitable methods but also on the influence of the properties of utilized seeds in experiments that they can modify plant growth and development. It is often forgotten that impact of stress on the seeds’ properties and through the seed traits on the plant properties, for example, the same variety in of different provenance may give different results, especially influence on the roots, because plant roots are the most sensitive part of plants. Only the different origins of used seeds in identical experiments at two workplaces can significantly change the results of every repeated standard experiment.

Root Length Density in Maize/Cowpea Intercropping under a Basin Tillage System in a Semi-Arid Area of Zimbabwe

A study to assess the effect of intercropping maize (Zea mays L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L.) within the same basin or outside the basin on root length density (RLD) was conducted at the International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) Matopos Research Station from December 2009 to April 2010. The experiment was laid out in a Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four treatments replicated four times namely;sole maize, sole cowpea, maize-cowpea intercrop with cowpea and maize planted within the same basin and maize-cowpea intercrop with cowpea planted 20 cm outside the maize basin. There was significant difference (P < 0.001) in RLD, grain yield and stover yield. Maize-cowpea intercropped within the same basin achieved higher RLD, grain yield and stover yield than cowpea that was intercropped outside the basin and the sole crops. The land equivalent ratio (LER) in both intercrop designs showed that intercropping had better grain yield performance when compared to sole cropping. It can be concluded that intercropping maize and cowpeas within the same basin can result in an environment around the crop achieving higher RLD which translates to better grain yield compared to the sole cropping and intercropping cowpeas outside the basin.

A Study on the Agricultural Scientific Research Management in the New Situation

As the core of the management of agricultural institutes,scientific research management plays a vital role in strategic development,and also affects the strategic development of agricultural research institutes. This paper expounds the connotation and characteristics of agricultural scientific research management as well as management ability requirements of management personnel. This paper puts forward the recommendations for improving agricultural scientific research management from the view of management personnel.

Progress on genetic and genomic research for enhanced oil content and quality in peanut

Peanut or groundnut （ Arachis hypogaea L. ） is an important source of vegetable oil in the world. Genetic enhancement for high yield and high oil content has greatly contributed to enhanced pro-ductivity of peanut and increased supply of peanut oil. Further improving oil content and quality of peanut is still crucial for increasing productivity of arable land and market competitiveness of peanut oil. Based on investigation among the peanut germplasm accessions including wild Arachis species, the oil content could be as high as 65%. Heterosis has been observed for oil content in hybrids derived from diverse crossing parents. Segregates with enhanced oil content have been obtained by pyramiding different genes or alleles with major and minor additive effects. Improved testing techniques for oil content in breeding lines with reduced cost have accelerated breeding progress for high oil content. SSR markers associated with oil content have been identified by association and linkage analysis. The stability of oil content in peanut across seasons and locations is highly associated with cold tolerance, high nutrition efficiency and drought tolerance. Recent progress on improving fatty acids in particular marker assisted backcrossing breeding has contributed to higher quality peanut oil and other products. High oil peanut lines with im-proved resistance to aflatoxin production have been developed. The wild Arachis species would be of great value for peanut breeding in increasing oil content.

Research on the Significance of Incremental Utilization of Natural Resources Based on "Fenlong Science of Natural Resources"

The basic principle of Fenlong technology is to make full use of the cultivated layer and the below soil resources and natural precipitation. It can increase the amount of loosen soil by 1-2 times, water and oxygen by 1 time, and available nutrients by 10%-30%, surface air humidity by more than 10%, crop net photosynthetic efficiency by 10%-30%, biomass by 20%-30%, crop yield by 10%-50%, and crop quality by 5%, and decrease salt content by 20%-40% and the emission of methane and other gases by 10%. In this study, it is firstly proposed to establish a new research field——"Fenlong science of natural resources"(referred to as "Fenlong science"), and the research contents include Fenlong-based sciences of modern agricultural machinery and equipment for full-layer ploughing and bottom ploughing, tillage, crop cultivation, utilization of water resources (natural precipitation, farmland water conservancy, groundwater resources, etc.), conversion and utilization of saline-alkali land, arable degraded grassland reconstruction, ecological reconstruction of desertification land, ecological environment, climate change, economic and social development. It clarifies theory and enriches technology, and provides a major platform for carrying global population developing from more than 7 billion to 10 billion and helping people and nature to mutually benefit.

Integrated physiological and molecular approaches to improvement of abiotic stress tolerance in two pulse crops of the semi-arid tropics

Chickpea(Cicer arietinum L.) and pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan L.(Millsp.)] play an important role in mitigating protein malnutrition for millions of poor vegetarians living in regions of the semi-arid tropics. Abiotic stresses such as excess and limited soil moisture(water-logging and drought), heat and chilling(high and low temperature stresses), soil salinity, and acidity are major yield constraints, as these two crops are grown mostly under rainfed conditions in risk-prone marginal and degraded lands with few or no inputs. Losses due to such stresses vary from 30% to 100% depending on their severity. The literature abounds in basic information concerning screening techniques, physiological mechanisms, and genetics of traits associated with resistance/tolerance to abiotic stresses in these two crops. However, the final outcome in terms of resistant/tolerant varieties has been far from satisfactory. This situation calls for improving selection efficiency through precise phenotyping and genotyping under high-throughput controlled conditions using modern tools of genomics. In this review, we suggest that an integrated approach combining advances from genetics, physiology, and biotechnology needs to be used for higher precision and efficiency of breeding programs aimed at improving abiotic stress tolerance in both chickpea and pigeonpea.