Legumes play a critical role in global agriculture due to their exceptional nutritional value, natural ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, and their overall contribution to sustainable farming practices. As a key component of agroecosystems, legumes promote soil fertility and reduce reliance on synthetic fertilizers. However, their productivity and resilience are increasingly threatened by a range of abiotic stresses, including drought, heat, salinity, cold, and nutrient deficiencies. These challenges are further intensified by the impacts of climate change, soil degradation, and erratic weather patterns, which not only limit crop yields but also threaten the long-term viability of legume cultivation worldwide. Recent studies highlight the necessity for advanced research and innovative strategies to enhance legume resilience to these stresses, but significant gaps in understanding remain, particularly in the molecular and genetic mechanisms underpinning stress responses.

This Research Topic aims to compile innovative and multidisciplinary research that deepens our understanding of how legumes perceive, respond to, and adapt under abiotic stress conditions. We seek contributions that employ integrated methodologies, from physiology and biochemistry to genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, to elucidate the mechanisms of stress responses in legumes. Our objective is to foster research that addresses both model legume species, such as Medicago truncatula and Lotus japonicus, and economically significant crop legumes, including soybean, chickpea, common bean, lentil, pea, and groundnut.

The scope of this Research Topic is broad yet focused on critical advances in understanding and improving legume resilience in the face of abiotic challenges. We welcome articles addressing the following themes:

• Physiological and biochemical responses of legumes under abiotic stress

• Molecular signaling pathways and gene regulatory networks governing stress adaptation

• Discovery and functional validation of stress-responsive genes, proteins, and metabolites

• Breeding, genome editing, and biotechnological advances for developing stress-resilient legume varieties

• Interactions with rhizobia and the broader microbiome under adverse environmental conditions

• Application of integrated omics technologies for trait discovery and phenotyping under stress

• Sustainable agronomic practices and ecological approaches to mitigate the effects of abiotic stress

Descriptive studies alone will not meet the criteria for consideration.

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Abiotic Stress in Legumes