PONE-D-19-27128

Investigating the diverse potential of a multi-purpose legume, Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet, for smallholder production in East Africa

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Academic Editor

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: The elaborate research conducted with diverse cultivars of under exploited crop- Lablab purpureus at two locations with two system approach generated vast data sets. The experiments laid out and observations recorded are sufficient to conclude the results. The appropriate analysis of data enabled to identify the cultivar for both selected sites and also as an inter crop. However the following points may be considered for review the results

- The duration of legumes impact their tolerance to abiotic stresses as selected cultivars are with early to very late duration. Hence for assessing their suitability one has to compare similar duration cultivars.

- Both edaphic and weather conditions varied in selected two sites of experimentation. The information on one site soil conditions was provided. A comparison need to be done on impact of soil conditions while assessing the performance of cultivars.

- Too many parameters were included for identifying suitable cultivar/s for biomass and seed yield. Nitrogen component needs to be addressed separately and some more detailed experimentation is required, hence this parameter may be omitted.

- Many statements are repetitive and lengthy such as explanation of results for two sites for two years may be made as single statement

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Reviewer #1: Yes: Dr MADDI VANAJA

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Attachments

Attachment

Submitted filename: PONE-D-19-27128_reviewed.pdf

Investigating the diverse potential of a multi-purpose legume, Lablab purpureus (L.) Sweet, for smallholder production in East Africa

PONE-D-19-27128R1

Dear Dr. Nord,

We are pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it complies with all outstanding technical requirements.

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With kind regards,

P. Pardha-Saradhi, Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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Reviewers' comments: