Abstract
The legume plant family and its present role in agriculture are described. Critical agricultural problems in the immediate future may center about the maintenance of soil nitrogen supplies, a consequence of spiraling costs of fertilizers, and the need to improve the quantity and quality of protein in high-population countries. Unexploited legumes, if developed through research, may be of major importance in agriculture’s response to this challenge.
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The author wishes to express thanks to reviewers for helpful suggestions: Drs. Richard Shibles and Walter Wedin, and to Ms. Carol Greiner, Iowa State University.
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Isely, D. Leguminosae andHomo sapiens . Econ Bot 36, 46–70 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02858699
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02858699