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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.

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Blue vetchling Lathyrus cyaneus Bobgunnia fistuloides Bobgunnia fistuloides Bobgunnia madagascariensis Bobgunnia madagascariensis Boccone's clover Trifolium bocconei Boissier clover Trifolium boissieri Bolusanthus Bolusanthus 1 item Borysthenian broom Cytisus borysthenicus Bossiaea Bossiaea 2 items Bowdichia virgilioides Bowdichia virgilioides Boynton's locust Robinia boyntonii Brachystegia Brachystegia 10 items Brazilian coral tree Erythrina falcata Brazilian jack bean Canavalia brasiliensis Brazilwood Caesalpinia brasiliensis Bristly clover Trifolium setiferum Broad-leaved everlasting pea Lathyrus grandiflorus Broom Cytisus L. 5 items Broom Chamaecytisus 6 items Brown clover Trifolium badium Brownea Brownea 5 items Bruttium clover Trifolium brutium Brya Brya 1 item Bryaspis Bryaspis 1 item Buffalo clover Trifolium reflexum Buffalo clover Trifolium fucatum Bunge vetch Vicia bungei Burchell's clover Trifolium burchellianum Burkea Burkea 1 item Burmese Pink Cassia Cassia renigera Bush lupine Lupinus excubitus Butea Butea 3 items Cadia Cadia 1 item Caesalpinia Caesalpinia 3 items Caesalpinia cassioides Caesalpinia cassioides Caesalpinia crista Caesalpinia crista Caesalpinia cucullata Caesalpinia cucullata Caesalpinia granadillo Caesalpinia granadillo Caesalpinia major Caesalpinia major Caesalpinia mimosoides Caesalpinia mimosoides Caesalpinia miranda Caesalpinia miranda Caesalpinia pulcherrima Caesalpinia pulcherrima Caesalpinia sappan Caesalpinia sappan Calicotome Calicotome 1 item Calicotome intermedia Calicotome intermedia Callerya Callerya Endl. 1 item Callerya Callerya 4 items Calliandra Calliandra Benth. 4 items Calliandra Calliandra 10 items Calobota Calobota 1 item Calophaca Calophaca 3 items Calopogonium Calopogonium 1 item Calopogonium caeruleum Calopogonium caeruleum Calpocalyx Calpocalyx 2 items Calpurnia Calpurnia 1 item Camelthorn Alhagi 1 item Camelthorn Alhagi graecorum Camoensia Camoensia 1 item Camptosema Camptosema 2 items Campylotropis Campylotropis 4 items Canadian milkvetch Astragalus canadensis

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.