Legumes can act as good sources of nutrients, especially for those who are suffering from protein related nutritional deficiency. Chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) are annual legumes grown throughout the world as food and feed. The presence of specific nutrients with many health benefits makes them a valuable food commodity. Chickpea and Cowpea: Nutritional Profile, Processing, Health Prospects and Commercial Uses explores the status of chickpea and cowpea in terms of their production, nutritional composition, processing mediated changes, and methods to remove antinutrients, bioactive peptides and their related health benefits. This book also demonstrates the key features of chickpea and cowpea which will make them an ideal substrate to be processed at a commercial scale. It covers all the aspects of latest research based on chickpea and cowpea. Features - Discusses information related to biochemistry of chickpea and cowpea components - Highlights comprehensive and meaningful information related to physical and functional properties - Explains processing mediated changes in nutritional profile of chickpea and cowpea - Provides latest scientific facts related to chickpea and cowpea starch - Explores various bioactive components and related health benefits - Demonstrates storage conditions for chickpea and cowpea In depth information is presented regarding various nutrient components and health benefits of chickpea and cowpea, which will provide meaningful information for product formulation. This book covers all aspects of recent research about the chickpea and cowpea while unravelling the hidden industrial potential of chickpea and cowpea.

This report is the second in a series of three evaluating underexploited African plant resources that could help broaden and secure Africa's food supply. The volume describes the characteristics of 18 little-known indigenous African vegetables (including tubers and legumes) that have potential as food- and cash-crops but are typically overlooked by scientists and policymakers and in the world at large. The book assesses the potential of each vegetable to help overcome malnutrition, boost food security, foster rural development, and create sustainable landcare in Africa. Each species is described in a separate chapter, based on information gathered from and verified by a pool of experts throughout the world. Volume I describes African grains and Volume III African fruits.

Global socioeconomic systems and climate change exacerbate disparities that leave a huge proportion of the human population malnourished. This condition will be further worsened by intensive food production like livestock that produces affordable protein but contribute to increasing greenhouse gases, making conventional food sources such as animal livestock unsustainable at global scales, in a vicious cycle. Thus, food systems have come under pressure to meet global food demands, whilst having to meet economic and ecological targets.

Examination of the imbibition characteristics of eighty chickpea genetic lines (53 Desi and 27 Kabuli types) and eleven cowpea cultivars revealed that in both species seeds with unpigmented testae imbibed more rapidly than the pigmented seeds. Rapid imbibition was associated with high solute leakage, indicative of possible imbibition damage. Further evidence of imbibition damage was revealed in cowpea where the rapidly imbibing unpigmented seeds had poor vital staining with tetrazolium chloride after 24h imbibition. In chickpea, all the genetic lines of white Kabuli seeds had similar rapid rates of imbibition. In contrast, the pigmented Desi genetic lines revealed a range of rates of water uptake although many imbibed more slowly than the Kabuli lines. The incidence of delayed imbibers, that is, seeds which failed to imbibe until after 8h in water, was the main reason for reduced rates of imbibition in Desi lines. The restriction to water uptake by the pigmented seeds was mainly influenced by the properties of the seed coat. In cowpea seeds, the permeability of the seed coat was the most important factor limiting water uptake whereas in chickpea the permeability of the seed coat as a whole and of the micropyle as well as the degree of adherence of the seed coat to the cotyledons were important in regulating the movement of water into the seed. Investigation of the rate of imbibition during the maturation of dwarf French bean, cowpea and chickpea seeds revealed that development of slow water uptake by coloured cultivars was clearly associated with the appearance of pigmentation. In chickpea, this also coincided with the development of the adherence of the seed coat to the cotyledons. In contrast, seeds from unpigmented cultivars imbibed rapidly at all stages of maturation. Examination of the seed coat anatomy of chickpea and cowpea indicated that the pigmented seeds tended to have shorter and narrower palisade cells and also shorter tracheid bars than the unpigmented seeds. Differences in water uptake by Kabuli and Desi seeds were not evident when seeds were stored at 100% relative humidity and 40°C for days. All seeds deteriorated at a similar rate. However, the importance of initial seed quality in influencing deterioration during storage was emphasised by the rapid loss of germination of the Kabuli seeds in which germination and vital staining revealed poor initial quality.

Variability in vegetable pathogens is a critical issue, particularly in changing environments, as it presents challenges to accurate diagnoses and proper management. This book focuses on the diverse ecology of phytopathogens, covering the varying disease categories (acute, chronic, and emerging), the mechanisms involved in disease development, pathogen variability, and disease management. The book also discusses the preharvest and postharvest challenges that arise due to these phytopathogens. Key Features: • Provides an overview of phytopathogens that affect vegetables in various environmental conditions • Discusses how to manage vegetables affected by specific pathogens • Offers eco-friendly approaches to prevent postharvest diseases • Presents a comprehensive guide to identifying and addressing numerous diseases for individuals in the fields of horticulture

The production, trade and consumption of pulses have seen substantial growth over the last fifteen years. This report examines the trends and patterns of this growth, and the factors that explain these for different kinds of pulses. The report presents an analysis of trends of consumption of pulses in different regions of the world and discusses the role that pulses can play in human nutrition. The report presents an analysis of the dynamics of growth of major pulses in different pulse-producing countries of the world. It describes the increasingly important role of trade in the global economy of pulses and presents an analysis of changing patterns of trade. The report argues that there is a pressing need to close the large gap between potential and actual yields, particularly on smallholder farms in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, by increased adoption of improved varieties and modern agronomic practices in all developing countries. This in turn requires a major thrust in agricultural research and extension, improving credit availability, and public investment directed at pulse production. The report discusses future prospects and policy imperatives for sustaining the growth of pulse production.