Arable farmers are being invited to take part in a four year project aimed at identifying the benefits of growing legumes and ultimately shaping government policy to encourage the growing of these crops.

Scientists at the James Hutton Institute are seeking farmers to participate in trials as part of the LegumES project to quantify the benefits of growing legumes, such as peas, beans and clover, following easy-to-use monitoring methods.

The scientists believe legumes offer many benefits to arable farming which include a reduced dependence on synthetic nitrogen fertilisers, lower greenhouse gas emissions, improved soil health and create more diverse and resilient cropped systems.

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In addition to these benefits, the project aims to enhance biodiversity, contribute to sustainable food systems, and strengthen rural communities by providing alternative economic opportunities through legume-based agriculture. 

© Alison Karley/James Hutton Institute

Professor Pete Iannetta of the James Hutton Institute, who is co-ordinating the project, said: “The legumES project looks beyond how legume crops such as peas, beans or clover may be included in crop rotations.

“It also examines how legume crops might mitigate the impacts that are already being experienced from climate change and biodiversity loss – including crop biodiversity loss – and their effects on nutritional security.”

Dr Alison Karley, who is leading the farm trials initiative, added: “LegumES aims to quantify the environmental and socio-economic benefits of legumes from data gathered on-farm.

“We hope that working with farmers to run trials will provide much needed evidence of these benefits and help identify options for promoting the growing and consumption of legume products.

“The findings will, hopefully, inform policy and practice solutions”.

The four-year project was awarded £5.1m (€6.2m) from the European Commission and the governments of Switzerland and the UK.

It is being carried out by a consortium of 22 partners from 12 EU countries, plus Switzerland and the UK.

More details of the project can be found on the dedicated website and farmers can register their interest by emailing legumES@hutton.ac.uk. Financial support and trial guidance will be provided.