agronom.info agronomy portal
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.

Main sections

Daniellia3 Dalbergiella2 Daviesia2 Delonix2 Dendrolobium2 Derris2 Dalhousiea1
2 178 sections

What the section contains

Dalbergia congestiflora Dalbergia congestiflora Dalbergia cubilquitzensis Dalbergia cubilquitzensis Dalbergia cultrata Dalbergia cultrata Dalbergia delavayi Dalbergia delavayi Dalbergia ecastaphyllum Dalbergia ecastaphyllum Dalbergia foliosa Dalbergia foliosa Dalbergia glabra Dalbergia glabra Dalbergia granadillo Dalbergia granadillo Dalbergia greveana Dalbergia greveana Dalbergia heudelotii Dalbergia heudelotii Dalbergia hostilis Dalbergia hostilis Dalbergia hupeana Dalbergia hupeana Dalbergia junghuhnii Dalbergia junghuhnii Dalbergia lactea Dalbergia lactea Dalbergia lanceolata Dalbergia lanceolata Dalbergia louvelii Dalbergia louvelii Dalbergia monticola Dalbergia monticola Dalbergia nitidula Dalbergia nitidula Dalbergia oblongifolia Dalbergia oblongifolia Dalbergia odorifera Dalbergia odorifera Dalbergia oliveri Dalbergia oliveri Dalbergia pervillei Dalbergia pervillei Dalbergia pinnata Dalbergia pinnata Dalbergia rimosa Dalbergia rimosa Dalbergia spinosa Dalbergia spinosa Dalbergia spruceana Dalbergia spruceana Dalbergia stipulacea Dalbergia stipulacea Dalbergia thomsonii Dalbergia thomsonii Dalbergia tucurensis Dalbergia tucurensis Dalbergia variabilis Dalbergia variabilis Dalbergiella Dalbergiella 2 items Dalea Dalea Dalea alopecuroides Dalea alopecuroides Dalea annua Dalea annua Dalea cliffortiana Dalea cliffortiana Dalea formosa Dalea formosa Dalea pogonathera Dalea pogonathera Dalea scandens Dalea scandens Dalhousiea Dalhousiea 1 item Dallimore's Broom Cytisus dallimorei Dalmatian clover Trifolium dalmaticum Daniellia Daniellia 3 items Danish milkvetch Astragalus danicus Dark clover Trifolium obscurum David's Pea Lathyrus davidii Daviesia Daviesia 2 items Del Norte Pea Lathyrus delnorticus Delonix Delonix 2 items Delonix elata Delonix elata Delonix pumila Delonix pumila Dendrolobium Dendrolobium 2 items Depauperate clover Trifolium depauperatum Depressed milkvetch Astragalus depressus Derris Derris 2 items Derris acuminata Derris acuminata Derris amoena Derris amoena Derris canarensis Derris canarensis Derris cuneifolia Derris cuneifolia Derris ferruginea Derris ferruginea Derris lianoides Derris lianoides

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.