The mineral nutrition of Macroptilium, Galactia, and Glycine wightii was studied in two soils of the State of S. Paulo, Brazil, mamely, a Red Yellow Podzol form Araçatuba (PVA) and a Distrophic Sant Quartz (AQD). By using the technique of diagnosis by subtraction in the greenhouse, the following conclusions could be drawn: (1) different factors limit yield in the two soils; (2) nutritional requirements, efficiency of uptake and utilization of several nutrients are not the same in the three legumes; (3) Ca as a nutrient was required in all cases, except by galactia in AQD; (4) liming AQD to pH 6,5 induced deficiencies of Zn, B, and especially Mn in the case of siratro and galactia.