Crude protein and nitrogen-free content diversity and accelerating potential in seeds of economic legumes

31 economic legume species were studied in follow-up research. The material consisted of longterm laboratory data gathered locally, and together with a wide overview of the literature on these species (250 articles). Laboratory experiments and analysis of data reported in the global literature show the standard crude protein content and non-nitrogen content of legume species. Overall, crude protein content ranged from 18mg 100mg¹ dm to over 40mg 100mg¹ dm among the legumes studied. The highly bred species Glycine max, Lupinus albus, Lupinus luteus and Lupinus mutabilis formed a distinct group with a mean of over 30mg crude protein in 100mg dm of seed. A less wellknown legume, Psophocarpus tetragonolobus, also had high seed crude protein content The nitrogen free proportion of seeds is dependent on crude protein content and these values thus correlate negatively. They can be used as indicator sof the seed quality and seed breeding potential of economic legumes.