Legumes and Their Benefits

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of root nodules in legumes?

To absorb water from the soil

To fix atmospheric nitrogen into usable nitrates (correct)

To facilitate photosynthesis

To store carbohydrates for growth

Which of the following legumes is native to Central America?

Pea

Lupine

Common bean (correct)

Alfalfa

Which type of relationship exists between legumes and nitrogen-fixing bacteria?

Parasitism

Competition

Mutualism (correct)

Commensalism

Which legume variety is considered ancient, having been cultivated for at least 7,000 years?

Pea Signup and view all the answers

How do legumes benefit nitrogen-impoverished soils?

By leaking nitrates into the soil from decomposing parts Signup and view all the answers

In what form can common bean seeds be consumed?

Both fresh and dried Signup and view all the answers

Which component of plant tissues does nitrogen primarily contribute to?

Proteins Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant protein source in Medieval Europe before the 1500s?

Peas Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following legumes is primarily cultivated in Asia and provides all essential amino acids?

Soybeans Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is crucial for soybean cultivation?

Warm temperatures Signup and view all the answers

What type of nut is actually classified as a legume?

Peanut Signup and view all the answers

How many types of peanuts are mentioned?

Two Signup and view all the answers

What method is primarily used for harvesting peanuts?

Pulling up plants with heavy machinery Signup and view all the answers

Which legume is known for producing pods commonly used in Asian cooking, such as miso and tofu?

Soybean Signup and view all the answers

Which plant is known to have seeds used as a stabilizer and thickener in food products?

Both A and C Signup and view all the answers

What is a unique feature of the peanut's flower stalk after pollination?

It elongates and pushes fruit into the soil Signup and view all the answers

Which type of bean is native to Central and South America and is used in various dishes like hummus?

Chickpea Signup and view all the answers

Which of these plants is primarily cultivated in India and has both culinary and medicinal uses?

Fenugreek Signup and view all the answers

What type of crop are legumes often used as in agricultural practices?

Fallow crops Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the common uses of liquorice rhizome extract?

As a flavoring in candy Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Legumes: A Diverse Family

Legumes, also known as pulses, belong to the Fabaceae (Legume or Pea) family, encompassing both herbaceous plants and woody trees.
Legumes bear a single-chambered pod with seeds attached along one edge, like a pea pod.
Legumes are high in protein, containing 25-30% protein, comparable to red meat.
Dried legumes are a vital protein source for humans, especially in regions where meat is scarce or expensive.
Legumes are essential for vegetarians and those who choose not to eat meat, as they provide all essential amino acids.
They serve as important forage plants for domestic animals, with species like clover, sweet-clover, and alfalfa being significant sources of high-quality protein.
Legumes have a unique symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria (genus Rhizobium) in their root nodules.
This mutualistic relationship allows legumes to convert atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into nitrate (NO3), a form usable by plants.
Legumes benefit from this relationship by obtaining essential nitrogen, which is incorporated into their tissues, especially seeds, as protein.
Additionally, decomposing legume parts release nitrate into the soil, enriching nitrogen-deficient soils.

Economically Important Legumes

Common or Kidney Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris): Native to Central and South America, it is a versatile legume used fresh (green or string beans) or dried (kidney beans).
Pea (Pisum sativum): An ancient legume crop cultivated for at least 7,000 years, it is thought to be native to the Mediterranean, Middle East, and northeastern Africa.
Soybean (Glycine max): Native to East Asia, it is the world's most important legume crop, with over 100 million tons produced annually. It is used for a wide range of purposes, from fresh and dried beans to edible oils, industrial oils, and processed protein products.
Peanut or Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea): Native to Central and South America, it is a unique legume as the flower stalk elongates after pollination, pushing the maturing fruit into the soil. Known for its edible and industrial oils, peanuts are also enjoyed roasted, processed into pastes and sauces like peanut butter, and added to various dishes.
Tropical Pulses (Various Species): Represent an important seed protein source in many regions. Examples include:
- Lima Bean (Phaseolus lunatus): Large green beans native to Central and South America.
- Broad Bean (Vicia faba): Originating in the Old World, it has been cultivated for centuries.
- Chickpea (Cicer arietinum): One of the oldest cultivated legumes, used for hummus and a staple in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine.
- Black Gram or Urd (Vigna mungo): Black beans with a white line.
- Mung Bean or Green Gram (V. radiata): Like black gram, but green with a white line.
- Black-Eyed Bean (V. unguiculata): White with black stripes.
- Asparagus or Yard-Long Bean (V. unguiculata var. sesquipedalis): Viny legume that can climb up to 12 feet.
- Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan): Hardy legume that can grow in any soil, tolerant to poor conditions.
- Lentil (Lens culinaris): An ancient crop from Southwest Asia, widely grown for producing dahl, a lentil puree.
Carob (Ceratonia siliqua): Subtropical tree native to the Arabian Peninsula. Its pods, known as St. John's Bread, contain protein and sugar-rich seeds. The pods are used for their edible sweetmeat around the seeds. The gum from the seeds serves as a stabilizer and thickener in various food products.
Tamarind (Tamarindus indica): Large tree native to India, its pods are used for the sweetmeat around the seeds, particularly important in tropical cuisines.
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum): Native to the Mediterranean and Southwest Asia, its seeds have been used medicinally and as a food source since ancient times. It remains an important crop in India, the Middle East, and Africa.
Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): Native to the Mediterranean region and central Asia, it has been cultivated for centuries as a flavouring and sweetener.
Forage Crops (Various Species): Several legume species are crucial for livestock as forage and fodder plants, providing a natural source of high-quality protein. They are also utilized as fallow crops, enriching soil nitrogen content when rotated with non-leguminous crops. Examples include:
- Red Clover (Trifolium repens):
- Sweet-Clover (Melilotus officinalis):
- Alfalfa or Lucerne (Medicago sativa):

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of legumes, also known as pulses, which belong to the Fabaceae family. Learn about their nutritional value, unique growth patterns, and symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. This quiz highlights the significance of legumes for human diets and livestock.