Legumes are considered the second most important source of food after
cereals, and their production can be affected by abiotic and biotic stresses. The
incidence of biotic and abiotic stress conditions resulting from climate change is
expected to increase in the future and may affect legume production drastically. Abiotic
stresses could result in escalated biotic stress occurrence. Although responses to abiotic
and biotic stress differ in most cases, combined abiotic and biotic stress responses
could be expressed in synergistic or opposing forms. In view of the impending
escalation in climate change, responses of legumes to stressful environments are
expected to vary among crops. However, collective information on combined biotic
and abiotic stress in legumes is not readily available. This paper seeks to gather
available information on the responses of legumes to biotic, abiotic, and combined
stress with a focus on physiological responses. This review will, therefore, help in
providing information and encourage further research into combined stress factors in
legumes
Keywords: Biotic stress, Abiotic stress, Combined stress, Physiological responses, Climate change, Legume production.
