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.

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Spring vetchling Lathyrus vernus Spurred Butterfly Pea Clitoria mariana Spurred vetch Vicia monantha Staminodianthus Staminodianthus 1 item Star fenugreek Trigonella stellata Star milkvetch Astragalus stella Starry clover Trifolium stellatum Stauracanthus Stauracanthus 3 items Sticky restharrow Ononis viscosa Stiff tick-trefoil Desmodium obtusum Stinking milkvetch Astragalus praelongus Stivers' lupine Lupinus stiversii Strict clover Trifolium strictum Striped broom Cytisus striatus Strombocarpa Strombocarpa 8 items Strongylodon Strongylodon 2 items Strophostyles Strophostyles 2 items Stryphnodendron Stryphnodendron 3 items Sturt's Desert Cassia Cassia sturtii Stylosanthes Stylosanthes Sw. 9 items Stylosanthes Stylosanthes 3 items Styphnolobium Styphnolobium 1 item Subalpine vetchling Lathyrus subalpinus Succulent lupine Lupinus succulentus Suckling clover Trifolium micranthum Sucupira Bowdichia 1 item Suffocated clover Trifolium suffocatum Sulfur-yellow pea Lathyrus sulphureus Sutherlandia Sutherlandia 1 item Swainsona Swainsona Salisb. 1 item Swainsona Swainsona 4 items Swartzia Swartzia 6 items Sweet fenugreek Trigonella suavissima Sweet milk-vetch Astragalus glycyphyllos Sweetclover Melilotus 7 items Sweetia Sweetia 2 items Swollen clover Trifolium physodes Sympetalandra Sympetalandra 1 item Syrian fenugreek Trigonella caelesyriaca Tachigali Tachigali 3 items Tadehagi Tadehagi 2 items Tailcup lupine Lupinus caudatus Tall melilot Melilotus altissimus Tamarind Tamarindus 1 item Tara Caesalpinia spinosa Tara Tara 1 item Taralea Taralea 1 item Tawny pea Pisum fulvum Tembien clover Trifolium tembense Templetonia Templetonia R. Br. 1 item Templetonia Templetonia Tephrosia Tephrosia 3 items Tephrosia berhautiana Tephrosia berhautiana Tephrosia bracteolata Tephrosia bracteolata Tephrosia brevipes Tephrosia brevipes Tephrosia caerulea Tephrosia caerulea Tephrosia chrysophylla Tephrosia chrysophylla Tephrosia cinerea Tephrosia cinerea Tephrosia decora Tephrosia decora Tephrosia ehrenbergiana Tephrosia ehrenbergiana

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.