Botanically, legumes belong to the family Fabaceae (or Leguminosae). The term 'pulse' specifically refers to legume seeds harvested for dry consumption.

A legume's fruit is botanically classified as a simple, dry fruit that develops from a single carpel and typically splits open along two seams.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) defines 'pulse' to include all legume crops, regardless of whether they are harvested for seeds, pods, or forage.

According to the FAO, green beans and green peas are classified as pulses.

Soybeans and peanuts are excluded from the FAO's definition of 'pulse' because they are primarily grown for oil extraction.

Common usage of the term 'pulse' strictly adheres to the FAO's definition, differentiating clearly between vegetable and dry seed uses.

Kidney beans, pinto beans, and black turtle beans are all varieties of *Phaseolus vulgaris* recognized by the FAO.

The Fabaceae family is the second-largest family of land plants, containing more species than the Asteraceae family.

The Fabaceae family is estimated to comprise approximately 19,000 known species, making it the third most diverse land plant family.

The black locust (*Robinia pseudoacacia*) and *Wisteria* are examples of legume species known to possess poisonous elements.

What is the botanical definition of a legume's fruit?

Which of the following is NOT included in the FAO's definition of 'pulse'?

The Fabaceae family ranks as the third-largest land plant family, surpassed in species diversity by which two families?

Which of the following legume species is noted for having poisonous elements?

Legumes hold significant agricultural importance, serving as vital sources for human food, livestock forage, and crucially, as a natural method for enhancing soil fertility.

Crop rotation and polyculture are farming practices that utilize legumes to naturally replenish soil nitrogen levels.

The practice of green manure involves incorporating legumes into the soil while they are still green to enrich it with nitrogen and organic matter.

Grain legumes are cultivated primarily for their seeds, which serve as a source of food and oils for industrial applications.

Legumes are gaining importance in the market primarily as a source for synthetic fertilizers.

Forage legumes are broadly categorized into those sown in pastures and woody shrubs or trees managed for fodder.

Legume-based feeds improve animal performance by increasing feed consumption and digestion rates compared to perennial grasses.

Legume trees like *Gliricidia sepium* can be planted to provide shade for cattle and serve as a supplementary food source.

Lupins are a type of legume commercially farmed for their timber production.

*Indigofera* species are cultivated for dye production, while *Acacia* species are grown for natural gum.

Legume species like *Leucaena*, *Cyamopsis*, and *Sesbania* are commonly farmed for use as green manure.

Timber production from legumes is primarily associated with species like *Phaseolus vulgaris* and *Pisum sativum*.

Legumes are a key ingredient in plant-based meat and dairy substitutes, reflecting growing demand for plant protein.

*Acacia* species are cultivated for dye production, while *Indigofera* species are grown for natural gum.

Which of the following is NOT considered a type of forage legume?

How do legume-based feeds generally compare to perennial grasses in terms of animal performance?

Which legume species are specifically mentioned as being cultivated for timber production?

Which legume species are cultivated for their blooms and as ornamental plants?

What industrial product is derived from *Acacia* species?

Most legumes contribute to soil fertility by hosting symbiotic bacteria in their root nodules that convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms.

The chemical reaction for nitrogen fixation by Rhizobia involves converting atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen (H2).

Nitrogen fixation benefits the legume plant by providing it with essential amino acids and proteins, which are crucial for its growth.

When a legume plant dies, the nitrogen it fixed is released into the soil as organic compounds, which are subsequently converted to nitrates by soil microorganisms before becoming available for plant uptake.

Rhizobia bacteria are responsible for converting atmospheric nitrogen gas (N2) into ammonia (NH3) within legume root nodules.

Legumes play a crucial role in the nitrogen cycle by fixing atmospheric nitrogen, acting as a natural fertilizer for other plants.

Which symbiotic bacteria are crucial for nitrogen fixation in most legumes?

What is the primary benefit of nitrogen fixation by Rhizobia for the legume plant itself?

How does nitrogen fixed by legumes benefit subsequent crops in the field?

What is the chemical reaction representing nitrogen fixation by Rhizobia?

What is the relationship between legumes and soil fertility regarding nitrogen?

A common misconception about cooking legumes is that adding salt before cooking prevents them from softening.

Legumes are a significant source of protein, dietary fiber, carbohydrates, and essential minerals, including resistant starch.

A 100-gram serving of cooked chickpeas provides a substantial amount of manganese, meeting over half the Daily Value (DV).

Resistant starch found in legumes is fermented in the large intestine, producing beneficial short-chain fatty acids, rather than being digested in the small intestine.

Legumes are a significant source of resistant starch, which is fermented in the large intestine, producing beneficial short-chain fatty acids.

What is a key nutritional benefit of resistant starch found in legumes?

Agromyzidae, commonly known as 'bean flies,' are considered a significant pest that can infest grain legumes from germination through harvest, impacting various plant parts.

Pea weevils and bean weevils cause damage to legumes by feeding on the leaf margins, creating characteristic semi-circular notches.

Stem nematodes are microscopic roundworms that are widespread and can affect a variety of plants, including legumes.

Anthracnose and Fusarium wilt are examples of fungal diseases that can affect legume crops.

Abiotic problems affecting legumes include nutrient deficiencies, pesticide damage, and unfavorable growth conditions due to mineral concentrations.

Reducing the storage temperature of legume seeds by 5 degrees Celsius can approximately double their lifespan.

Legume seeds stored at lower temperatures and lower relative humidity generally have longer viability.

Which family of flies is identified as a significant pest of grain legumes, infesting plants from germination through harvest?

What type of damage do pea weevils and bean weevils typically inflict on legume plants?

Which of the following is an example of an abiotic problem that can affect legume crops?

How does reducing the storage temperature affect the longevity of legume seeds?

Neanderthals and early modern humans utilized wild pulses approximately 70,000 to 40,000 years ago.

Archaeological evidence suggests pulse production was part of the Indus Valley Civilization around 3300 BCE.

Lentils have been found within Egyptian pyramids and mentioned in ancient cuneiform recipes.

The earliest known archaeological evidence for dry pea cultivation comes from seeds found in ancient Roman settlements.

The soybean is believed to have been domesticated in China approximately 5,000 years ago, originating from *Glycine soja*.

The oldest domesticated beans found in the Americas date back to the second millennium BCE and were discovered in Peru.

Genetic analysis suggests the common bean (*Phaseolus vulgaris*) originated in South America and spread northwards.

Benjamin Franklin introduced the domesticated soybean to the United States in 1770.

The common bean (*Phaseolus vulgaris*) spread southward from Mesoamerica, often alongside maize and squash.

What historical period saw Neanderthals and early modern humans utilizing wild pulses?

Where was the earliest known archaeological evidence for dry pea cultivation discovered?

What is the origin region believed for the domestication of the soybean?

The common bean (*Phaseolus vulgaris*) is believed to have originated in which region and spread from there?

Who introduced the domesticated soybean to the United States, and in what year?

The International Year of Pulses was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2016.

The primary objective of the International Year of Pulses 2016 was to raise awareness about the nutritional benefits and sustainable role of pulses.

The International Year of Pulses aimed to foster connections to improve the utilization of pulse-based proteins and address international trade challenges.

Which United Nations body declared 2016 as the International Year of Pulses?

What was a primary objective of the International Year of Pulses 2016?

Legumes are increasingly important in the market as a key ingredient for what type of food products?