Technical Overview and Role of Legumes in Haddej Bouhedma

Cultivated legumes are occupying increasingly larger areas in the Haddej-Bouhedma region. Unlike in the northern parts of the country, the lack of research on the potential roles legumes can play in this region prompted this study. This study aimed to highlight the importance of peas, fava beans, and chickpeas in this region and demonstrate their value in enriching the region's soil with nitrogen. To this end, a survey, pot experiments, and field observations were conducted. The results indicate that legumes (primarily peas) are widely cultivated behind hydraulic structures (Jessers) and in the plains during rainy years, and that pea cultivation appears to be more advantageous for soil nitrogen enrichment than fava beans. Based on this, it would be worthwhile to closely study and characterize the respective rhizobia of these species, their efficiency, and their behavior under the edaphic and hydric conditions of this region.