Legumes are plants that can fix nitrogen from the air to make nitrates Nitrate is nitrogen in a form available to plants Legumes, through pinkish colored nodules on their roots, form a mutually beneficial relationship with soilborne bacteria It the bacteria who are able to perform the chemistry necessary for nitrogen fixation; the plant pulls the nitrogen from the air through stomata in its leaves and transfers it to the bacteria via its phloem In return, the legume and the plants nearby are supplied with the nitrates However, if legumes are fed nitrogen (in the form of fertilizer or manure), they will cease to produce their own Legumes are heavy feeders of phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and calcium; so they (or the crops that follow) may need feeding if the soil is deficient in these nutrients Legumes are used as green manures Common examples are clover, vetch, soybeans, peas, and alfalfa See also inoculant
Any of the plants of the order Fabales (including peas, soybeans, and clover) important in nitrogen fixation Legumes develop bacteria-harboring root nodules; from atmospheric nitrogen, the bacteria form compounds that can be taken up by plants and animals
Angiosperm plant species that is a member of the Fabaceae (Pea or Bean) family These plants form symbiotic relationships with specific bacteria species for the purpose of acquiring nitrogen for growth
Any of a large family (Leguminosae syn. Fabaceae) of dicotyledonous herbs, shrubs, and trees having fruits that are legumes or loments, bearing nodules on the roots that contain nitrogen-fixing bacteria, and including important food and forage plants (as peas, beans, or clovers)
A plant, such as the soybean, that bears nitrogen-fixing bacteria on its roots, and thereby increases soil nitrogen content
the fruit or seed of any of various bean or pea plants consisting of a two-valved case that splits along both sides when ripe and having the seeds attached to one edge of the valves
Pod dehiscent into two pieces or valves, and having the seed attached at one suture, as that of the pea
Any plant type within the family Leguminosae, such as pea, bean, alfalfa, and clover Has a symbiotic relationship with the Rhizobia bacteria which form root nodules and fix atmospheric nitrogen The nitrogen is used by the plant in exchange for photosynthate carbon which is used by the bacteria
Any of a large group of plants of the pea family; because they store nitrogen, they are often plowed under to fertilize the soil
A pod-bearing member of the Fabaceae family, one of the most important and widely distributed plant families (now split into Papilionaceae, Mimosaceae and Caesalpiniaceae) Included are many valuable food and forage species, such as peas, beans, peanuts, clovers, alfalfas, sweet clovers, lespedezas, vetches and kudzu Not all legumes are nitrogen-fixing plants, for example, many of the Caesalpiniaceae do not form nodules
n (L legere, to gather) a 1-locular fruit, usually dehiscent along two sutures, bearing seeds along the ventral suture; a leguminous plant
A plant of the pea, bean and related families A simple dry fruit, usually opening along two sides, and containing one row of seeds
the seedpod of a leguminous plant (such as peas or beans or lentils) an erect or climbing bean or pea plant of the family Leguminosae the fruit or seed of any of various bean or pea plants consisting of a two-valved case that splits along both sides when ripe and having the seeds attached to one edge of the valves