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
Palestinian clover
Trifolium palaestinum
Palestinian milkvetch
Astragalus palaestinus
Panicled Tick-trefoil
Desmodium paniculatum
Pannonian vetchling
Lathyrus pannonicus
Parapiptadenia
Parapiptadenia
1 item
Pararchidendron
Pararchidendron
1 item
Parasenegalia
Parasenegalia
1 item
Paraserianthes
Paraserianthes
1 item
Parkia
Parkia R. Br.
1 item
Parkia
Parkia
7 items
Parkinsonia
Parkinsonia
1 item
Parkinsonia praecox
Parkinsonia praecox
Parkinsonia sonorae
Parkinsonia sonorae
Parnassian broom
Genista parnassica
Parochetus
Parochetus
1 item
Parry's Clover
Trifolium parryi
Partridge pea
Chamaecrista fasciculata
Pea
Pisum L.
1 item
Pea-vine
Lathyrus pisiformis
Peanut
Arachis L.
4 items
Peltogyne
Peltogyne
1 item
Peltogyne catingae
Peltogyne catingae
Peltogyne floribunda
Peltogyne floribunda
Peltogyne lecointei
Peltogyne lecointei
Peltogyne maranhensis
Peltogyne maranhensis
Peltogyne venosa
Peltogyne venosa
Peltophorum
Peltophorum
4 items
Pendulous-flowered milkvetch
Astragalus penduliflorus
Pentaclethra
Pentaclethra
2 items
Perennial peavine
Lathyrus heterophyllus
Periandra
Periandra
1 item
Pericopsis
Pericopsis
3 items
Persian bladder senna
Colutea persica
Petalostylis
Petalostylis
1 item
Petteria
Petteria
1 item
Petty whin
Genista anglica
Phanera
Phanera
12 items
Phaseolus adenanthus
Phaseolus adenanthus
Phaseolus linearis
Phaseolus linearis
Phaseolus polystachyus
Phaseolus polystachyus
Philenoptera
Philenoptera
4 items
Phyllodium
Phyllodium
2 items
Physostigma
Physostigma
2 items
Pickeringia
Pickeringia
1 item
Pictetia
Pictetia
1 item
Pigeon pea
Cajanus Adans.
1 item
Pigeon pea
Cajanus
7 items
Pignant's clover
Trifolium pignantii
Piliostigma
Piliostigma
4 items
Pindus sainfoin
Onobrychis pindicola
Pine vetch
Vicia pinetorum
Pineapple Broom
Argyrocytisus battandieri
Pineland tick-trefoil
Desmodium strictum
Piptadenia
Piptadenia
3 items
Piptadeniastrum
Piptadeniastrum
1 item
Piptanthus
Piptanthus
4 items
Pirona alfalfa
Medicago pironae
Piscidia
Piscidia
1 item
Pithecellobium
Pithecellobium Mart.
1 item
Pithecellobium
Pithecellobium
10 items
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.