Legumes are plants that belong to the Fabaceae family. They play an important role in agriculture due to their nutritional properties and ability to improve soil. Legumes saturate the soil with nitrogen because their roots contain bacteria that fix nitrogen from the atmosphere. This makes them an important component of crop rotation, helping to maintain soil fertility without excessive use of chemical fertilizers. These include a variety of species and varieties that differ in terms of maturity and purpose. In this article, we will take a closer look at the classification of pulses, the specifics of their cultivation, and tips on how to choose the best varieties for your farm.
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Classification of legumes depending on the ripening period
Pulses are classified by maturity into early, mid-season, and late. This approach helps farmers plan sowing and harvesting at a time convenient for them. Classification by maturity allows us to optimize the use of land and labor resources throughout the season.
- Early pulses: Usually have a short growing season and are suitable for regions with short summers or for farms that want to harvest as early as possible. Early varieties of beans and peas can be ripe as early as 50-70 days after sowing.
- Mid-season legumes: They have an average growing season and are most often grown in temperate regions. They mature in 80-100 days and provide a stable yield under the right growing conditions.
- Late pulses: They require a longer growing season, often more than 100 days, and are suitable for regions with long summers. These crops often have higher yields and are better able to withstand unfavorable growing conditions.
Cereal legumes
Grain legumes include popular plants such as beans and peas. They are grown for their grain, which is used in the food industry and for feed. Pulses are an important source of protein in the diet of humans and animals and have a high nutritional value.
Beans
What are beans? Beans are one of the most common grain legumes. They are rich in protein, vitamins and minerals, making them an important component of a healthy diet. There are many varieties of beans that differ in shape, color, and flavor. For example, there are varieties of beans with red, white, black, and variegated beans. Beans are widely used in cooking to make soups, salads, side dishes, and other dishes. Here are some popular varieties of beans:
- Red beans: A well-known variety used in many dishes, including chili and soups.
- White beans: Known for their delicate flavor and used in many traditional recipes.
- Black beans: Popular in Latin American cuisine, they have a rich flavor and high nutritional value.
Peas
What are peas? Peas are another popular grain legume. They are known for their high nutritional value, containing a lot of protein and other nutrients. Peas are widely used in cooking and as animal feed. There are different types of peas, such as snap peas, sugar peas, and cowpeas. Snap peas are used to make soups and mashed potatoes, while sugar snap peas are consumed fresh or used to make salads. Brain peas, due to their sweet flavor characteristic, are most often canned or frozen for storage. Popular varieties of peas include:
- Common snap peas: Used for soups and other hot dishes.
- Sugar snap peas: Eaten fresh, added to salads and Asian dishes.
- Brain peas: They have a sweet flavor and are often canned or frozen.
Fodder legumes
Forage legumes are grown primarily for livestock feeding. They provide animals with high-quality feed rich in protein and other essential nutrients. Fodder legumes include alfalfa, clover, vetch and others. They can be grown as pure crops or in mixed crops with other fodder crops. For example, alfalfa and clover are perennial crops that provide high levels of protein and nutrients in livestock diets. Vetch, in turn, is used as green fodder or for hay, providing high yields even on poor soils. The advantage of fodder legumes is their ability to improve soil structure and enrich it with nitrogen, which makes them valuable for crop rotation on the farm.
Rare pulses and new breeding products
In addition to traditional crops, there are also rare legume species that are just beginning to gain popularity. Breeders are constantly working to create new varieties with increased resistance to diseases and pests, as well as high yielding properties. Rare pulses include plants such as chickpeas, lentils, mung beans, and others. Chickpeas, for example, have become popular due to their high nutritional value and use in oriental dishes such as hummus and falafel. Lentils are known for their high protein and iron content, making them an important food in low-meat diets. Mung bean, or mung dal, is used in many Asian recipes and is known for its health benefits. New varieties of these crops are constantly being developed to increase their productivity and adapt to different climatic conditions.
Features of cultivation and storage
Growing pulses requires adherence to certain agronomic practices to obtain a high yield and maintain its quality. Let’s take a look at the main stages and features of growing pulses.
Fertilizer system
To grow legumes successfully, it is important to choose and use the right fertilizer system. Pulses need not only nitrogen, which they can partially obtain through symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, but also phosphorus and potassium. Before sowing, it is recommended to analyze the soil to determine its fertility level and the need for additional nutrients. Based on this analysis, a fertilization plan is drawn up. Nitrogen fertilizers are applied in small quantities, as excess nitrogen can inhibit nitrogen fixation. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are applied according to the needs of the plants to ensure their optimal growth and development.
Soil cultivation
Soil cultivation for pulses includes preparing the field for sowing, weed control and improving soil structure. Pre-sowing soil preparation includes plowing, harrowing, and leveling the field surface. It is also important to destroy perennial weeds that can compete with legumes for nutrients and moisture. After sowing, regular agronomic measures should be taken to maintain the soil in a favorable condition. This may include inter-row loosening, weeding, and other measures to improve soil aeration and reduce moisture evaporation.
Sowing
Pulses should be sown at the optimum time, taking into account weather conditions and variety characteristics. It is also important to adhere to the recommended seeding depth, which is usually 2-4 cm for most pulses. Deeper sowing can lead to poor germination of seeds, and too shallow sowing can lead to drying out of seeds. Sowing density is also important and varies depending on the crop and variety. Maintaining the optimal sowing density ensures better ventilation of the plants, reduces the risk of diseases and contributes to high yields.
Care.
Caring for pulses includes regular watering, weeding, fertilizing, and protecting them from pests and diseases. This will help ensure healthy plant development and high yields. Watering is especially important during periods of intensive growth and flowering. Insufficient watering can lead to a decrease in yield and product quality. Weeding helps to reduce competition from weeds, and fertilizing with micronutrients helps to improve the overall condition of plants. Protection against pests and diseases includes preventive measures such as seed treatment before sowing, the use of resistant varieties, and timely treatment of plants with appropriate drugs.
Assembly
Pulses must be harvested in a timely manner to avoid losses and maintain product quality. For example, peas are harvested at the milky stage for fresh consumption and at the full ripeness stage for storage. Beans are also harvested at full ripeness, when the pods are dry and brittle. After harvesting, it is important to store the crop properly to prevent spoilage. The grain should be dried to a moisture content of 12-14% and stored in dry, ventilated rooms. Storage in such conditions will help prevent the development of mold and other pests.
Which legumes to choose for growing?
The choice of pulses to grow depends on many factors, including climatic conditions, soil type, availability of resources, and the intended use of the crop. Pulses include both traditional species such as beans and peas, as well as rare new breeding varieties. Here are some recommendations to help you make your choice:
- Assessment of climatic conditions: Select varieties that are suitable for your region. For example, late pulse varieties are suitable for southern regions with a warm climate, while early and mid-season varieties are better for northern regions.
- Soil type: Some pulses may grow better in certain types of soil. For example, beans and peas grow well in fertile, well-drained soils. Make sure the variety you choose is suitable for your soil type.
- Availability of resources: Consider your ability to provide water, fertilizer, and other resources to your plants. Select varieties that are appropriate for your growing conditions.
- Purpose of the crop: Determine whether you plan to grow pulses for your own consumption, for sale, for animal feed, or for soil improvement. This will help you choose the right varieties.
On Glendil, Ukraine’s first agri-marketplace, you can find all the information you need about what pulses are, which types are right for you, and how to grow them to get high yields. In addition, you have the opportunity to place ads for the purchase or sale of pulses both in Ukraine and for export abroad. Our experts will help you make the right choice and provide professional advice on growing and marketing pulses.
