Impact and Response of Drought Stress in Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.): A Review

Global food security is desperate due to biotic and abiotic stress because of change in climate and increase in population. Among various abiotic stress, drought severely affects the growth and productivity of crops. Drought stress due to climate change is the severe threat for grain legume production. Pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.) is the important sources of protein for human nutrition and also to enhance the soil fertility. It is the resilient crop which can tolerate under drought condition when compared to other legume crops. Even though, change in climate hinder the growth and productivity of pigeonpea especially drought stress. The reduction in yield mainly depends on the time of onset, intensity and duration of drought stress. Especially drought stress during late flowering and early pod development severely affects the yield in pigeonpea. This review examines the morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular impacts of drought stress on pigeonpea plants. In order to improve resilience and maintain crop output in the face of shifting climatic circumstances, tackling the intricacies of drought stress in pigeonpea agriculture necessitates a multimodal strategy incorporating agronomic, physiological, biochemical and molecular methodologies.