Comparison of Yield and Important Seed Quality Traits of Selected Legume Species

Abstract

Legumes are of great economic importance. Depending on the species, they are cultivated for food, fodder, green manure, and even as ornamentals. Legume seeds contain many valuable nutrients and also anti-nutritional substances. The aim of the study is to compare important seed quality traits in pea (Pisum sativum L.), faba bean (Vicia faba L.), white lupin (Lupinus albus L.), narrow-leafed lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.), and yellow lupine (Lupinus luteus L.) to soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). It was shown that the obtained parameters were significantly affected by the interaction of species with the years of study. Soybean was characterized by high seed and protein yield and favorable seed chemical composition (protein, fat, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and micronutrients, except manganese). Faba bean yields were high but varied over the years. Faba bean seeds were rich in phosphorus and copper. Pea yielded satisfactorily, and the seeds contained high iron and low fiber contents. Of the three lupin species, white lupin yielded the highest, while narrow-leafed and yellow lupin yields were low. However, yellow lupin seeds had a favorable chemical composition because they were rich in protein, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, and zinc. In conclusion, legumes are valued worldwide and could be a base for the development of many functional foods to promote human health.