Pulses are dry seeds of legumes that are used as food or feed. They include peas, beans, lentils, and chick peas. Pulses are excellent sources of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients while being low in fat and high in fibre. Pulse crops belong to the same plant family as alfalfa and sweet clover. They have the capacity to capture atmospheric nitrogen and transform it into useable plant nitrogen in the form of amino acids and proteins. This process is called "nitrogen fixation". (more nitrogen fixation information)