Nitrogen-Fixing Legume Nodules

Nitrogen-fixing legumes are planted as cover crops and in wildlife food plots, where they form beneficial relationships with soil microbes. These legumes grow nodules on their roots that can be plucked or scraped off easily. Conversely, legumes may grow root-knot nematode galls that are hard and part of the root. Pink or red color inside the tissue can indicate well-functioning nodulation. Legume cover crop biomass is a high-protein resource for game species, and decomposition of organic material through green chopping can increase soil fertility. Recognizing the difference between a nitrogen-fixing legume nodule and a root-knot nematode gall is important for assessing plant health and promoting biomass growth.