What are legume crops?

Legumes crops include various plants that belong to the family Fabaceae or Leguminosae. They are well-known for their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil through a symbiotic relationship with specific bacteria called rhizobia. This unique feature makes them valuable in sustainable agriculture as they help improve soil fertility and reduce the need for nitrogen fertilizers.

1. Beans:

- Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris): Known as the kidney bean, pinto bean, or French bean, common beans come in many varieties and hold cultural importance in various cuisines worldwide.

- Soybean (Glycine max): Soybeans are a major legume crop known for their high protein and oil content. They are used to make a wide range of products such as tofu, soy sauce, and soybean oil.

2. Peas:

- Garden pea (Pisum sativum): Green peas are edible seeds enclosed within pods and play a role in many culinary dishes.

- Snow pea (Pisum sativum var. macrocarpon): Snow peas are consumed with the entire pod, including immature seeds, and are popular in Asian cuisine.

- Snap pea (Pisum sativum var. saccharatum): Snap peas have edible pods and underdeveloped seeds, making them a popular snacking vegetable.

3. Lentils:

- Lentil (Lens culinaris): Lentils are small, lens-shaped legumes widely used in soups, stews, and as a source of protein in various cuisines.

4. Chickpeas:

- Chickpea (Cicer arietinum): Also known as garbanzo beans, chickpeas are a key ingredient in hummus and are frequently used in salads, soups, and main dishes.

5. Cowpeas:

- Black-eyed pea (Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata): Recognized for their black spot or "eye," black-eyed peas are common in Southern U.S. cuisine.

- Crowder pea (Vigna unguiculata subsp. unguiculata): Crowder peas are another type of cowpea valued for their distinctive speckled appearance and flavor.

6. Faba bean (Vicia faba):

- Faba beans, also called broad beans, have large seeds and are usually consumed dry or cooked in various dishes.

7. Lupins:

- Lupin (Lupinus spp.): Lupins are gaining attention for their high protein content and ability to thrive in challenging environments.

8. Clover:

- Red clover (Trifolium pratense): Primarily grown as a cover crop, red clover is also used for forage and its flowers are a source of honey for bees.

9. Alfalfa:

- Alfalfa (Medicago sativa): Predominantly used as animal feed, alfalfa is a valuable source of nutrients for livestock.

10. Peanuts:

- Peanut (Arachis hypogaea): While botanically classified as a legume, peanuts are unique in that their pods develop underground. They are primarily consumed roasted and are a popular snack and ingredient in various cuisines.