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
Andira excelsa
Andira excelsa
Andira fraxinifolia
Andira fraxinifolia
Andira galeottiana
Andira galeottiana
Andira humilis
Andira humilis
Andira nitida
Andira nitada
Andira racemosa
Andira racemosa
Andira retusa
Andira retusa
Andira spectabilis
Andira spectabilis
Andira surinamensis
Andira surinamensis
Anglepod pea
Lathyrus angulatus
Angular clover
Trifolium angulatum
Angylocalyx
Angylocalyx
2 items
Annual vetch
Lathyrus annuus
Annual yellow sweet clover
Melilotus segetalis
Anonychium
Anonychium
1 item
Anthonotha
Anthonotha
2 items
Anthyllis cytisoides
Anthyllis cytisoides
Anthyllis henoniana
Anthyllis henoniana
Anthyllis hystrix
Anthyllis hystrix
Anthyllis lagascana
Anthyllis lagascana
Anthyllis lemanniana
Anthyllis lemanniana
Anthyllis onobrychioides
Anthyllis onobrychioides
Anthyllis tejedensis
Anthyllis tejedensis
Anthyllis terniflora
Anthyllis terniflora
Aphanocalyx
Aphanocalyx
3 items
Aphyllodium
Aphyllodium
1 item
Apios
Apios Fabr.
1 item
Apios americana
Apios
3 items
Apuleia
Apuleia
1 item
Arabian fenugreek
Trigonella arabica
Arachis batizocoi
Arachis batizocoi
Arachis duranensis
Arachis duranensis
Arachis marginata
Arachis marginata
Arachis pusilla
Arachis pusilla
Arachis stenosperma
Arachis stenosperma
Arachis villosulicarpa
Arachis villosulicarpa
Aragon restharrow
Ononis aragonensis
Archidendron
Archidendron
12 items
Archidendropsis
Archidendropsis
2 items
Arctic lupine
Lupinus arcticus
Ardoin's broom
Cytisus ardoinii
Argyrocytisus
Argyrocytisus
Argyrolobium
Argyrolobium
6 items
Armenian milkvetch
Astragalus armeniacus
Arrowhead rattlebox
Crotalaria sagittalis
Ash-grey broom
Genista cinerea
Ashy broom
Genista cinerascens
Aspalathus
Aspalathus L.
Aspalathus
Aspalathus
Asparagus pea
Lotus tetragonolobus
Astragalus adsurgens
Astragalus adsurgens
Astragalus aduncus
Astragalus aduncus
Astragalus akkensis
Astragalus akkensis
Astragalus algarbiensis
Astragalus algarbiensis
Astragalus algerianus
Astragalus algerianus
Astragalus allochrous
Astragalus allochrous
Astragalus alopecuroides
Astragalus alopecuroides
Astragalus alopecurus
Astragalus alopecurus
Astragalus annularis
Astragalus annularis
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.