Reference · Crops

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.

2 178 sections

What the section contains

Crotalaria hirta Crotalaria hirta Crotalaria humifusa Crotalaria humifusa Crotalaria lejoloba Crotalaria lejoloba Crotalaria montana Crotalaria montana Crotalaria mysorensis Crotalaria mysorensis Crotalaria nana Crotalaria nana Crotalaria ononoides Crotalaria ononoides Crotalaria orientalis Crotalaria orientalis Crotalaria orixensis Crotalaria orixensis Crotalaria polysperma Crotalaria polysperma Crotalaria pumila Crotalaria pumila Crotalaria quinquefolia Crotalaria quinquefolia Crotalaria saharae Crotalaria saharae Crotalaria sessiliflora Crotalaria sessiliflora Crotalaria shanica Crotalaria shanica Crotalaria spartioides Crotalaria spartioides Crotalaria sphaerocarpa Crotalaria sphaerocarpa Crotalaria tetragona Crotalaria tetragona Crotalaria trichotoma Crotalaria trichotoma Crotalaria uncinella Crotalaria uncinella Crotalaria valetonii Crotalaria valetonii Crotalaria verrucosa Crotalaria verrucosa Crotalaria vialattei Crotalaria vialattei Crotalaria virgulata Crotalaria virgulata Crown medic Medicago coronata Crown vetch Coronilla coronata Crownvetch Coronilla 2 items Crudia Crudia 4 items Ctenodon Ctenodon 1 item Cullen Cullen 7 items Cumin sage Astragalus cibarius Cup clover Trifolium cyathiferum Cusick's milkvetch Astragalus cusickii Cyamopsis senegalensis Cyamopsis senegalensis Cyclocarpa Cyclocarpa 1 item Cyclopia Cyclopia 3 items Cylicodiscus Cylicodiscus 1 item Cynometra Cynometra 1 item Cynometra alexandri Cynometra alexandri Cynometra ananta Cynometra ananta Cynometra elmeri Cynometra elmeri Cynometra inaequifolia Cynometra inaequifolia Cynometra iripa Cynometra iripa Cynometra lenticellata Cynometra lenticellata Cynometra malaccensis Cynometra malaccensis Cynometra mirabilis Cynometra mirabilis Cynometra ramiflora Cynometra ramiflora Cynometra spruceana Cynometra spruceana Cynometra vogelii Cynometra vogelii Cyprus vetch Vicia cypria Cytisus commutatus Cytisus commutatus Cytisus patens Cytisus patens Dahlstedtia Dahlstedtia 2 items Dalbergia Dalbergia L. f. 7 items Dalbergia armata Dalbergia armata Dalbergia bariensis Dalbergia bariensis Dalbergia boehmii Dalbergia boehmii Dalbergia brownei Dalbergia brownei Dalbergia cearensis Dalbergia cearensis Dalbergia cochinchinensis Dalbergia cochinchinensis

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.