The legumes
- and agriculture

Peas, sugar snaps, edamame, sugar snap peas and similar species have long been a large part of the agricultural growth programme. Every year, these crops are included in programs around the world - and there are several good reasons for this. Especially in Denmark, peas have been part of the Danish crop program since the 17th century. 

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A cleansing plant?

The legumes that we know here at home have a very special ability to clean the soil in which they are planted - and here it gets a little technical. Normally, you plant the more traditional crops such as wheat, barley, etc. - but only to a certain extent, as the soil will be depleted of nutrients over time. Depleted because the earth does not get anything again - approx. 90% of the crop is harvested and removed from the field with these species. 

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For legumes, approx. 5% of the plant - the rest is plowed into the ground and gives the depleted soil remedial elements with lots of energy. This adds mulch material to the soil, which gives the next crops significantly better growing conditions. 

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Mulch material?

Mulch material refers to the composting of the plants after harvest when they are plowed down. Here, nature does its work and transforms the remaining leguminous plants into mulch, which thus gives new life to plants, wildlife and the insect world. 

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Plants with their own nitrogen?

Legumes have the fascinating property of being able to produce their own nitrogen and actually have a store for bad times. In other words, legumes can absorb nitrogen from the air and further store the excess in the plant's roots. This is beneficial for the plant, of course, but also for the next crop that is planted in the field. It will be able to absorb all the nitrogen that the leguminous plant has not used - thus we have a positive nitrogen circle. 

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