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AGRONOMY IV- LEGUME CROPS BAG311

Duration (approx) 100 hours
Qualification
Statement of Attainment

Learn to Grow Legumes

Legumes are plants in the pea family 'Fabaceae'. They include beans, lentils, peanuts, and peas. They are mainly grown for their edible seeds or pods.

Legumes are an ideal crop to grow as they do not deplete the soil of nitrogen. Additionally, due to their high protein and fibre content, legumes are a staple food for many people and also for agricultural animals. They also provide many vitamins and minerals associated with heart and gut health, and reduced risk of type 2 diabetes.

The term 'legume' is used to refer to the different parts of legume crops - leaves, pods, stems, etc. The term 'pulse' is used to refer to the dried seeds of legumes. 

Given the wide variety of legumes, there is almost certainly a legume to suit everyone's taste.  

Determine how to use legumes as broadacre crops

Study this course to:

  • Understand everything you need to know about growing legumes for food crops for human or animal consumption.
  • Determine ideal growing conditions for legumes.
  • Explore differences between different types of legume crops and their uses.

It's easy to enrol...

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COURSE CONTENT

The course has ten lessons. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment to submit to your tutor for marking and feedback.
You can also contact your tutor with any questions throughout the course.

Lesson 1: Scope and Nature of Legume Cropping 

  • Taxonomy of legumes 
  • Brief history of legume use 
  • Significance of Legume Crops 
  • Food plants for people 
  • Food plants for animals 
  • Soil improvers 
  • Amenity plants 
  • Industrial crops 
  • Weeds 
  • Legume cover crops 
  • Inoculation of Legumes 
  • Legumes today 
  • Shade & Salt Tolerant Cover Crops 

Lesson 2: Peas 

  • Introduction 
  • Cultivars 
  • Snap Peas 
  • Green Peas 
  • Appearance 
  • Cultivation 
  • Climate 
  • Soil and Fertility 
  • Land and Seed Bed Preparation 
  • Planting Material 
  • Inoculation 
  • Plant Spacing 
  • Trellising 
  • Nutrient Management 
  • Irrigation 
  • Weed Control 
  • Harvesting 

Lesson 3: Growing Beans 

  • Introduction 
  • Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) -Classification, Growing Conditions, Climate, Soil, Planting, Irrigation, Nutrition, Weeds, Pest and Disease 
  • Management 
  • Varieties – bush, climbing 
  • Harvesting 
  • Storage 
  • Runner Beans (Phaseolus coccineus) - Growing Conditions, Climate, Soil, Planting, Irrigation, Nutrition, Weeds, Pest and Disease, Varieties 
  • Lima Beans (Phaseolus lunatus) – Growing Conditions, Planting, Harvesting, Varieties. 
  • Broad Bean (Vicia faba)- Growing Conditions, Soil, Planting, Irrigation, Nutrition, Weeds, Harvesting, Crop Rotation, Pest and Disease, Varieties 
  • Hyacinth Bean (Lablab purpureus) - Growing Conditions, Climate, Planting, Irrigation, Nutrition, Weeds, Pest and Disease, Varieties 
  • Snake Bean (Vigna unguiculate ssp sesquipedalis) - Growing Conditions, Climate, Planting, Irrigation, Nutrition, Weeds, Pest and Disease 
  • Mung Bean (Vigna radiata) Growing Conditions, Climate, Soil, Land preparation, Sowing, Planting, Irrigation, Nutrition, Weeds, Harvesting,
  • Drying, Storage, IPM, Pest and Disease, Land Management 

Lesson 4: Growing Lentils 

  • Introduction 
  • Planting Lentils 
  • How to Plant 
  • Soil, Watering and Fertiliser 
  • Nurturing the Plants 
  • Diseases 
  • Pests 
  • Harvesting 

Lesson 5: Growing Lupins 

  • Introduction 
  • Lupin plant structure -leaves, stem, branches, roots, flower, pod, seed 
  • Lupin Growing Cycle -germination phases 
  • Benefits of Lupin Crops 
  • Factors affecting Lupin Growth 
  • Seed Quality 
  • Sowing Lupins 
  • Pod Growth 
  • Harvesting 
  • Sources for seed growth 
  • Factors Affecting Seed Development – moisture, temperature 
  • Fertilisers 
  • Pests 

Lesson 6: Growing Alfalfa 

  • Introduction 
  • How to grow alfalfa at home 
  • Lucerne Cropping 
  • Soil type 
  • Fertility Management 
  • Plant Variety 
  • Planting Crops 
  • Seeding Depth 
  • Crop Management 
  • Irrigation 
  • Disease and Insect Management 
  • Harvesting Lucerne 

Lesson 7: Soybeans 

  • Introduction 
  • Planting Soybean Crops 
  • Modern Farming Practices (eg. Zero tilling) 
  • Soil Management 
  • Variety Selection 
  • Planting Soybeans 
  • Plant Growth and Physiology 
  • Nutrition and Fertiliser 
  • Nutritional Deficiency 
  • Weed Control 
  • Pest Control 
  • Harvesting Soybeans 

Lesson 8: Growing Chickpeas 

  • Introduction 
  • Crop Preparation 
  • Weed Control 
  • Soil Preparation 
  • Soil Moisture 
  • Diseases 
  • Chickpea Varieties -Desi Type, Kabuli Type 
  • Planting Chickpeas 
  • Plant Growth and Physiology 
  • Nutrition and Fertiliser 
  • Harvest 

Lesson 9: Other Legumes 

  • Peanut 
  • Inga (Ice Cream Bean) 
  • Tamarind 
  • Carob 
  • Acacia (Wattle seed) 
  • Clovers and Annual Medics 
  • Growing Clovers 
  • Clover Species 
  • Medics 

Lesson 10: Processing and Using Legumes 

  • Introduction 
  • Storage Planning 
  • Silo Options 
  • Grain Storage Bags 
  • Bunkers 
  • Underground Pits 
  • Calculating Costs 
  • Variable Costs of On Farm Storage 
  • Aeration Cooling 
  • Repairs and Maintenance 
  • Time & Labour 
  • ROI Investment Analysis 
  • Safety 
  • Grain Storage and Insect Management 
  • Storing Lentils 
  • Storing Soybeans 
  • Storing Chickpeas 
  • Storing Peanuts 
  • Storing Faba Beans 
  • Storing Field Peas

Course Aims

  • Discuss commercial farming of Legumes 
  • Explain different types of pea crops 
  • Explain how to grow beans 
  • Explain how to grow edible lupins 
  • Explain how to grow an alfalfa crop 
  • Explain the importance and growing of soybean crops 
  • Explain the cultivation of chickpea crops 
  • Explain how to grow a range of other legume food crops 
  • Explain how legume crops are processed and used 


 

What will you be able to do when you finish this course?
When you finish this course, you will have a detailed understanding of growing Legume Crops. You will be able to make better choices, and grow a wide range of legume crops with less risk and more of success.

This course is an ideal professional development course or staff training for anyone working on a farm or market garden.

What makes this course a great choice?
This course is for the student who wants to learn about growing legumes for crops in their own time and at their own pace whilst having the support of their tutor to help you along when you need it.

Why would you study this course?

This course is suitable for students who -

  • Would like to work in the agronomy industry and want to learn more about growing legumes
  • Already work in agronomy but would like more specialist knowledge in legume growing
  • Are seeking employment or promotion in the farming or agronomy industries
  • An ideal course for anyone wanting to expand their knowledge of farming and agronomy.

 


This course will help you understand the essential agronomic practices for growing legumes as food crops.  This course helps you learn how to grow peas, beans, lupins, soybeans, alfalfa, soybeans, chickpeas and other legumes.

Understanding how to grow the right legume crops can make a huge difference to a farm business. Selection of the right crop, the ideal growing conditions and the kind of care that each crop requires will make a huge difference to how much profit a farm will make.


Any questions?
Our agronomy tutors are all experts in their field and are happy to answer any questions about the course.
Courses can be started anytime from anywhere in the world!

Meet some of our academics

Alison Pearce (general)P.G.Cert. Ed., M.Ecotourism, S.Sc. (Hons). Alison has held many positions including: University Lecturer, Writer, Quality Assurance Manager, Research Technician, Vet Nurse and stockwoman. Over 30 years industry experience, mostly in Australia and the UK.. Alison originally graduated with an honors degree in science from university and beyond that has completed post graduate qualifications in education and eco-tourism. She has managed veterinary operating theatre, responsible for animal anaesthesia, instrument preparation, and assistance with surgical techniques and procedures.
Dr. Gareth PearceGraduated from the University of Nottingham in 1982 with a B.Sc.(Hons) in Animal Science. Between 82 and 85 worked as Research Assistant and Demonstator in Animal Science at the University of Leeds. Over more than 30 years he has furthered his studies, obtaining eight significant university qualifications including degrees in Veterinary Science, Wildlife Conservation and Animal Behaviour. Gareth has significant teaching experience around the world as a faculty member at eight different universities including Associate Professor at Murdoch University and Director of Studies in Veterinary Science at Cambridge University. He has over 100 prestigious research papers published, and enjoys an outstanding international reputation in the fields of animal and veterinary science.
Cheryl McLardyA scientist, teacher, writer and animal scientist, with more than 20 years experience including: Sports Horse Stud Groom, Stable Manager, Yard Manager, Equine industrial Training Manager, FE Distance Learning Manager. Cheryl has travelled widely, working in England, Scotland, Australia and New Zealand; and is now based in Scotland. She holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons), Higher National Diploma in Horse Management, and a City and Guilds Teaching Certificate.
Marius Erasmus Subsequent to completing a BSc (Agric) degree in animal science, Marius completed an honours degree in wildlife management, and a masters degree in production animal physiology. Following the Masters degree, he has worked for 9 years in the UK, and South Africa in wildlife management, dairy, beef and poultry farming.


Check out our eBooks

Bees, Beekeeping and HoneyBees play a vital role in pollination of crops, it’s important to improve diversity of bee populations and ensure there are enough of them to withstand any future threats. Learn about bees and how to keep them; learn about maintaining their health and the production and use of honey.
Farm ManagementThe Farm Management ebook is a valuable piece of equipment for any farming student or current farmer. Improve your farm management skills or learn new skills and techniques. The topics covered within this Farm Management ebook include 1/ Scope and nature of the farm industry, 2/ The farm site, 3/ Production systems, 4/ Managing livestock, 5/ Managing pasture, 6/ Managing crops, 7/ Managing equipment and materials, 8/ Computer applications, 9/ Farm structures and buildings, 10/ Financial management, 11/ Marketing, 12/ Farm planning, 13/ Staff management, 14/ Water management and 15/ Diversification.
Fruit, Vegetables and HerbsThe Fruit, Vegetables and Herbs ebook is ideal for students, professionals and home gardening enthusiasts alike. Fruit, Vegetable and Herbs provides an overview in techniques to produce food in the garden. Topics covered within this course include 1/ Food from the garden, 2/ Deciding what to grow, 3/ Successful growing, 4/ Fruits, 4-1/ Deciduous fruit trees, 4-2/ Citrus fruits, 4-3/ Tropical fruits, 4-4/ Berries, 4-5/ Nuts, 4-6/ Vine crops, 4-7/ Using produce, 5/ Vegetables, 6/ Mushrooms, 7/ Special growing techniques
Growing StrawberriesStrawberries are a significant large crop in many countries and a popular crop for home gardeners the world over. More than 3.5 million tonnes of strawberries were produced in 75 countries in 2005 and by 2010 the world’s top 10 producers harvested almost 3 million metric tonnes, this extended to global production of over 4.5 million tonnes by 2012; a growth of almost 13% in 5 years. Although the United States, Turkey, Spain, Mexico the Netherlands, remain amongst the top producers, other countries are steadily increasing their production with Greece and Egypt increasing their production level by over 30% between 2007 and 2014, Chile too is an emerging and increasing producer.