Pulse Crops

PULSES

The cultivation of legumes gains primary importance in Bangladesh .Pulses are considered as ''the meat of the poor'' because still pulses are the cheapest source of protein.In my blog i tell you about lentil & mungbean as the representatives of pulses.

LENTIL(Lens esculenta)

Lentil is the most nutritious of all pulses containing high protein in their seeds.It is known as 'masur dal' in Bangladesh.Among the pulses grown in Bangladesh,lentil holds the second position in respect of both total area & cultivation just after cultivation.It is believed to be originated in our sub-continent.

Lentil,most nutritious pulse(www.fotosearch.com)

Lentil is cultivated all over the country & in rabi season.Lentil is grown almost everywhere in our country particularly in Jessore,Jhenidah,Magura,Pabna,Kustia,etc. It is used as dal or soup.There are two cultivated species of lentil in Bangladesh namely-Lens esculenta & Lens culinaris.

MUNGBEAN(Vigna radiata)

The another most important pulse crop is mungbean which is showing an increasing trend in relation to its both cultivation area & production now a days in Bangladesh.It is originated in india.Containing an appreciable amount of high quality protein it is used mainly used as dal.

Mung bean,an important pulse crop

 

                                                                  LATHYRUS(Lathyrus sativus)

Lathyrus or Grasspea is commonly known as Khesary in Bangladesh.Among the pulses grown in Bangladesh it holds the first position in terms of both cultivation area & production.Grasspea is probably originated in Southern Europe & Western Asia.In Bangladesh grasspea is grown in almost every district.There are some merits of lathyrus such as-

             1.it contains 25% protein in grains

                                                2.adds atmospheric nitrogen & organic matter to soil       

                3.less susceptible to pest & disease

 4.good source of fodder.

A negative effect of Grasspea is it seeds contain a neurotoxin named Beeta-N-oxylyl-amino-alanine that cause a disease called lathyrism .However this toxicity can be eliminated by soaking seeds in water & boiling or cooking.