Lima and snap beans and southern field peas were cultured in a modified Hoagland's solution for 14 days with N supplied as Ca(NO3)2and/or (NH4)2SO4at three N concentrations and five ratios of NO3to NH4. The ratio of NO3/NH4, rather than the N concentrations influenced seedling growth of these vegetable legumes. Maximum seedling growth of lima bean was generally obtained with all combinations of NO3and NH4. A preference for 75% NO3and 25% NH4was observed for snap bean. Southern field pea growth was reduced only when all of the N was supplied as 100% NH4. Ammonium toxicity symptoms, lesions and severe wilting, developed with snap bean and southern field pea within 14 days when cultured with 100% NH4. Lima bean, though reduced in growth, exhibited a tolerance to the 100% NH4treatment.