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
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.