Foreword

Legumes play important roles in human diets. They serve as the main source of proteins especially for resource-poor families. They represent important sources of human and animal feeds that are rich in protein. More importantly, by their symbiotic interactions with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, apart from their contribution to food security and nutrition, they play a major role in climate change mitigation by serving as an alternative and sustainable strategy for improving soil fertility. Though, the Green Revolution in agriculture has helped in meeting the demands for food security by developing new crop varieties and increasing the use of synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizer that is also contributing to climate change,, legume production does not depend on the use of synthetic fertilizers. It rather improves soil nutrient status and reduces over-dependence on nitrogen fertilizers. Legumes, therefore, should be considered key components in a sustainable agronomic programme. Their production, however, faces many challenges which are grouped under biotic and abiotic stresses.

To take advantage of these potential benefits of legumes, there is a need for a thorough understanding of the challenges faced by farmers in growing leguminous crops. High up on the list of challenges are the threats posed by a range of biotic stresses. It is therefore of immense value that these stresses are so effectively described in this volume. It is a comprehensive and expansive consideration of how biotic stress impacts legumes and how they can be managed. Further, as the authors are all working in Africa, they offer a unique perspective on the potential of legumes in a continent that is witnessing a substantial increase in human population and where climate change is also a major concern. The United Nations estimates that the human population will reach 8 billion at the end of 2022, representing an increase of one billion new mouths to feed. Against this background, the increase in the production of leguminous crops offers obvious attractions. I, therefore, unequivocally recommend this book to agronomists and to general science readers.