The Underrated Pulses

Nature’s Nutritious Seeds for Sustainable Future

Abstract

Pulses are an important commodity group of crops that provide high quality protein complementing cereal proteins for predominantly substantial vegetarian population of the country. Although, being the largest pulse crop cultivating country in the World, pulses share to total food grain production is only 6-7% in the country. The cultivation of pulses build up a mechanism to fix atmospheric nitrogen in their root nodules and thus meet their nitrogen requirements to a great extent. Pulses can be produced with a minimum use of resources and hence, it becomes less costly even than animal protein. In comparison to other vegetables, pulses are rich in protein which are less expensive and can be cultivated as an inter-crop and also as mixed crop. Pulses are mostly cultivated under rain fed conditions and do not require intensive irrigation facility and this is the reason why pulses are grown in areas left after satisfying the demand for cereals/cash crops. Even in such conditions, pulses give better returns. Apart from this, pulses possess several other qualities such as they are rich in protein, improve soil fertility and physical structure, fit in mixed/inter-cropping system, crop rotations and dry farming and provide green pods for vegetable and nutritious fodder for cattle as well. Although this crop group is more important from the nutritional point of view, there has not been any significant increase in area and production. The potential of pulses may help to address future global food security, nutrition and environmental sustainability needs.