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
Macrotyloma tenuiflorum
Macrotyloma tenuiflorum
Madagascar rosewood
Dalbergia madagascariensis
Madeira broom
Genista maderensis
Malagan Broom
Cytisus malacitanus
Mamane
Sophora chrysophylla
Maniltoa
Maniltoa
2 items
Many-form clover
Trifolium polymorphum
Marbled vetch
Lathyrus marmoratus
Mariosousa
Mariosousa
1 item
Marlimorimia
Marlimorimia
2 items
Marsh pea
Lathyrus palustris
Martiodendron
Martiodendron
2 items
Maryland senna
Senna marilandica
Maryland tick-trefoil
Desmodium marilandicum
Mastersia
Mastersia
1 item
Mecopus
Mecopus
1 item
Medicago brachycarpa
Medicago brachycarpa
Medicago dentata
Medicago dentata
Medicago disciformis
Medicago disciformis
Medicago monantha
Medicago monantha
Medicago muricoleptis
Medicago muricoleptis
Medicago polyceratia
Medicago polyceratia
Medicago prostrata
Medicago prostrata
Medicago radiata
Medicago radiata
Medicago secundiflora
Medicago secundiflora
Medicago soleirolii
Medicago soleirolii
Medicago suffruticosa
Medicago suffruticosa
Medicago tenoreana
Medicago tenoreana
Medicago turbinata
Medicago turbinata
Melanoxylon
Melanoxylon
1 item
Melilotus infestus
Melilotus infestus
Melilotus messanensis
Melilotus messanensis
Melliniella
Melliniella
1 item
Melolobium
Melolobium
2 items
Mescal bean
Sophora secundiflora
Mexican bird of paradise
Caesalpinia mexicana
Mexican erythrina
Erythrina mexicana
Mexican lupin
Lupinus mexicanus
Mexican senna
Senna mexicana
Mezoneuron
Mezoneuron
3 items
Microberlinia
Microberlinia
1 item
Microberlinia bisulcata
Microberlinia bisulcata
Microcharis
Microcharis
1 item
Mildbraediodendron
Mildbraediodendron
1 item
Milk vetch (sainfoin-like)
Astragalus onobrychis
Milk-vetch
Astragalus corniculatus
Millettia
Millettia Wight & Arn.
1 item
Millettia
Millettia
24 items
Mimosa
Mimosa
5 items
Mimosa aculeaticarpa
Mimosa aculeaticarpa
Mimosa albida
Mimosa albida
Mimosa barberi
Mimosa barberi
Mimosa bimucronata
Mimosa bimucronata
Mimosa caesalpiniifolia
Mimosa caesalpiniifolia
Mimosa casta
Mimosa casta
Mimosa ceratonia
Mimosa ceratonia
Mimosa detinens
Mimosa detinens
Mimosa flavescens
Mimosa flavescens
Mimosa hemiendyta
Mimosa hemiendyta
Products in this section · 12
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.