Advancing mungbean productivity: agronomic management practices across a global database and yield critical period determination

Abstract

Legume crops such as mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) offer significant nutritional and agronomic benefits, particularly in developing regions. Mungbean is a pulse crop with high protein content (21–33%) and essential micronutrients such as iron and zinc, making it a valuable component of plant-based diets. In addition, its bioactive compounds contribute to various health benefits. Agronomically, mungbean's short life cycle (70-80 days), nitrogen-fixing ability, and positive rotation effects on cereals make it a promising crop for sustainable farming systems. Despite its advantages, optimizing mungbean production is essential to improve yield stability and meet increasing global demand. This study aims to enhance mungbean yield and quality by developing a global dataset to identify high-performing management strategies and fill knowledge gaps. In addition, understanding the physiological processes of the crop is critical to reducing yield variability. Therefore, this research also investigates the critical period for seed yield formation and the key yield components that contribute to yield variation. By integrating agronomic and physiological knowledge, this study provides valuable recommendations for optimizing mungbean production, ultimately contributing to global food security and sustainable agricultural practices.