Legumes have an advantage over non-leguminous plants under global climate change and particularly under elevated [CO2] concentration. What is the reason for this to happen?
Symbiosis is envisioned as a mutual feeding of plants and microbes.
The plant through photosynthesis provides the carbohydrate carbon energy source.
In the case of legumes the bacteria Rhizobia can feed onf plant carbohydrate while the nitrogen is provided by bacterial symbiont. The energy for this intensive energetic operation comes from the plant.
In case of water and immobile nutrients the plant again provides the energy currency through photosynthesis but the fungi as mycorrhiza are able to extend the access to water nutrients through their action.
When the plant has no need for water and nutrient the chemical messengers to stimulate the symbiosis are muted. When there is not need for water nutrient etc the symbiosis is not engaged as the plant does not send for help.
The over provision for crop plants and the in accessibility of beneficial bacteria and fungi can thwart the process.
All of these issues are able to syngeristic if the farmer producers focuses on that result.
When carbon is more available it can mean that bacterial and fungi symbiosis can be used to a greater extent because the energy capital from the primary producer is more available. This symbiosis can formented also by inoculating the best strains and combinatioations of symbionts at the right concentrations and adjusting the soil conditions to engage their proliferation.
There is much need in a practical sense of teaching producing the theory and practice of this syngergistic symbiotic potential.
Symbiosis is a key element in reducing and eliminating dependence on agricultural chemical inputs and also of providing ways to improve the soil condition, energy, environment and climate foot prints and to foster soil sequestration to address greenhouse gas concerns which contribute to global warming.