Legumes
Legumes are a major group of agricultural crops belonging to the Fabaceae family. These plants are essential for global food security and sustainable agriculture due to their high protein content and unique capacity to improve soil nitrogen levels through symbiotic bacteria.
What the section contains
Codariocalyx
Codariocalyx
2 items
Cojoba
Cojoba
1 item
Collaea
Collaea
1 item
Colophospermum
Colophospermum
1 item
Colutea cilicica
Colutea cilicica
Colutea istria
Colutea istria
Colvillea
Colvillea Bojer
1 item
Colvillea
Colvillea
Constantinople clover
Trifolium constantinopolitanum
Constricted medic
Medicago constricta
Copaifera
Copaifera
4 items
Copaifera langsdorffii
Copaifera langsdorffii
Copaifera mildbraedii
Copaifera mildbraedii
Copaifera officinalis
Copaifera officinalis
Copaifera palustris
Copaifera palustris
Copaifera religiosa
Copaifera religiosa
Copaifera salikounda
Copaifera salikounda
Coral bean
Erythrina flabelliformis
Coral tree
Erythrina corallodendron
Cordyla
Cordyla Lour.
1 item
Cordyla
Cordyla
3 items
Corky coral tree
Erythrina suberosa
Coronilla balansae
Coronilla balansae
Coronilla cretica
Coronilla cretica
Coronilla globosa
Coronilla globosa
Coronilla minima
Coronilla minima
Coronilla repanda
Coronilla repanda
Coronilla rostrata
Coronilla rostrata
Coronilla securidaca
Coronilla securidaca
Coronilla vaginalis
Coronilla vaginalis
Corsican broom
Genista corsica
Costae Vetch
Vicia costae
Coulteria
Coulteria
2 items
Coursetia
Coursetia
Craibia
Craibia
1 item
Craigia brownii
Craigia brownii
Cratylia
Cratylia
1 item
Creeping broom
Cytisus procumbens
Crescent milkvetch
Astragalus amphioxys
Crested restharrow
Ononis cristata
Cretan broom
Cytisus creticus
Cretan milkvetch
Astragalus creticus
Crimean melilot
Melilotus tauricus
Crimean sainfoin
Hedysarum tauricum
Crotalaria
Crotalaria
12 items
Crotalaria acicularis
Crotalaria acicularis
Crotalaria aculeata
Crotalaria aculeata
Crotalaria agatiflora
Crotalaria agatiflora
Crotalaria alata
Crotalaria alata
Crotalaria albida
Crotalaria albida
Crotalaria angulata
Crotalaria angulata
Crotalaria assamica
Crotalaria assamica
Crotalaria atrorubens
Crotalaria atrorubens
Crotalaria berteroana
Crotalaria berteroana
Crotalaria calycina
Crotalaria calycina
Crotalaria cytisoides
Crotalaria cytisoides
Crotalaria dissitiflora
Crotalaria dissitiflora
Crotalaria glauca
Crotalaria glauca
Crotalaria hebecarpa
Crotalaria hebecarpa
Crotalaria hirsuta
Crotalaria hirsuta
Legumes
Originating from diverse regions across the globe, legumes have been cultivated for thousands of years. Today, they are grown worldwide in various climatic zones, serving as a staple crop in both traditional farming systems and modern industrial agriculture.
Botanically, legumes are characterized by their fruit, known as a pod, and their ability to form nodules on their roots. These nodules house specific bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into nutrients, which helps reduce the reliance on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.
The agronomic requirements for legumes include well-drained soil and moderate moisture during the growing season. Proper field preparation and the inoculation of seeds with specific rhizobia strains are standard practices to ensure optimal nodulation and subsequent crop yields.
Legumes are used for human consumption, livestock feed, and green manure. Effective management involves monitoring common pests like aphids and weevils, as well as managing fungal diseases through crop rotation and appropriate fungicide application when necessary.
- High concentration of plant-based protein.
- Significant role in biological nitrogen fixation.
- Improvement of soil fertility and structure.
- Versatile use in food and feed industries.
- Adaptability to a wide range of agro-ecological zones.