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

Dialium englerianum Dialium englerianum Dialium guianense Dialium guianense Dialium guineense Dialium guineense Dialium hydnocarpoides Dialium hydnocarpoides Dialium kunstleri Dialium kunstleri Dialium orientale Dialium orientale Dialium ovoideum Dialium ovoideum Dialium platysepalum Dialium platysepalum Dialium procerum Dialium procerum Dichilus Dichilus 1 item Dichrostachys Dichrostachys 1 item Dicorynia Dicorynia 2 items Didelotia Didelotia 7 items Diffuse restharrow Ononis diffusa Digit lupin Lupinus digitatus Dillwynia Dillwynia 5 items Dimorphandra Dimorphandra 3 items Dinizia Dinizia 1 item Dioclea Dioclea 6 items Diphysa Diphysa 2 items Diplotropis Diplotropis 2 items Dipogon Dipogon Dipteryx Dipteryx 1 item Dipteryx alata Dipteryx alata Dipteryx magnifica Dipteryx magnifica Dipteryx micrantha Dipteryx micrantha Dipteryx oleifera Dipteryx oleifera Dipteryx oppositifolia Dipteryx oppositifolia Dipteryx polyphylla Dipteryx polyphylla Dipteryx punctata Dipteryx punctata Distemonanthus Distemonanthus 1 item Dolichopsis Dolichopsis Dolichos Dolichos 4 items Dolichos sericeus Dolichos sericeus Dorycnium Dorycnium Mill. 1 item Dorycnium Dorycnium 7 items Dorycnopsis Dorycnopsis 1 item Drummond's milkvetch Astragalus drummondii Dumasia Dumasia 2 items Dunbaria Dunbaria 4 items Dwarf false indigo Amorpha nana Dwarf gorse Ulex minor Dwarf restharrow Ononis pusilla Dwarf vetch Vicia nana Dyer's Broom Genista sessilifolia Dysolobium Dysolobium Early medic Medicago praecox Ebenoid sainfoin Onobrychis ebenoides Ebenopsis Ebenopsis 1 item Ebenus Ebenus 2 items Echinospartum Echinospartum 3 items Edible kudzu Pueraria edulis Edible lotus Lotus edulis Egyptian rattlepod Crotalaria aegyptiaca Elegant crown vetch Coronilla elegans Elegant lupin Lupinus elegans Elegant sweetclover Melilotus elegans Elephantorrhiza Elephantorrhiza 1 item Elongated broom Cytisus elongatus Emory milkvetch Astragalus emoryanus

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.