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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

Hardenbergia2 Holocalyx2 Honey locust2 Gymnocladus1 Hammatolobium1 Haplormosia1 Hardenbergia1 Hardwickia binata1 Hebestigma1 Hedysarum1 Hegnera1 Hoffmannseggia1 Hoita1
2 178 sections

What the section contains

Gymnocladus Gymnocladus Lam. 1 item Haematoxylum brasiletto Haematoxylum brasiletto Hairy bean Phaseolus pubescens Hairy broom Cytisus hirsutus Hairy broom Cytisus villosus Hairy Broom Cytisus hirsutissimus Hairy cowpea Vigna comosa Hairy greenweed Genista hirsuta Hairy lupin Lupinus pilosus Hairy lupin Lupinus villosus Hairy pea Lathyrus pilosus Hairy senna Senna hirsuta Hairy tick-trefoil Desmodium ciliare Hairy vetch Vicia pubescens Hairy vetchling Vicia capreolata Hairy-fruited broom Cytisus eriocarpus Hairy-head clover Trifolium trichocephalum Hairy-pod vetchling Lathyrus hirticarpus Hairy-podded vetch Vicia eriocarpa Hairy-winged clover Trifolium trichopterum Hammatolobium Hammatolobium 1 item Haplormosia Haplormosia 1 item Hardenbergia Hardenbergia Benth. 2 items Hardenbergia Hardenbergia 1 item Hardwickia binata Hardwickia 1 item Hartwig's locust Robinia hartwigii Hawaiian tick-trefoil Desmodium sandwicense Headed milkvetch Astragalus cephalotes Hebestigma Hebestigma 1 item Hedgehog milkvetch Astragalus echinus Hedysarum Hedysarum 1 item Hedysarum alpinum Hedysarum alpinum Hedysarum boutignyanum Hedysarum boutignyanum Hedysarum boveanum Hedysarum boveanum Hedysarum brigantiacum Hedysarum brigantiacum Hedysarum candidum Hedysarum candidum Hedysarum carnosum Hedysarum carnosum Hedysarum cretaceum Hedysarum cretaceum Hedysarum flexuosum Hedysarum flexuosum Hedysarum glomeratum Hedysarum glomeratum Hedysarum grandiflorum Hedysarum grandiflorum Hedysarum hedysaroides Hedysarum hedysaroides Hedysarum multijugum Hedysarum multijugum Hedysarum spinosissimum Hedysarum spinosissimum Hedysarum ucrainicum Hedysarum ucrainicum Hedysarum vicioides Hedysarum vicioides Hegnera Hegnera 1 item Hermann's Kidney Vetch Anthyllis hermanniae Himalayan fenugreek Trigonella emodi Himalayan milkvetch Astragalus himalayanus Hoffmannseggia Hoffmannseggia 1 item Hoffmanseggia falcaria Hoffmanseggia falcaria Hoita Hoita 1 item Holdt's locust Robinia holdtii Holocalyx Holocalyx 2 items Honey locust Gleditsia L. 2 items Honeybush Cyclopia Vent. Hong Kong Orchid Tree Bauhinia blakeana Hooked fenugreek Trigonella uncinata Hooked milkvetch Astragalus hamosus

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.