Cluster bean [cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.], an importantindustrial arid legume: A review

Abstract

Cluster bean is an important legume cultivated mostly on marginal and sub marginal lands of arid and semi-arid regions. Overall, India produces around 80% of global cluster bean production. It is cultivated on more than 4 m ha in India, Rajasthan alone accounts for around 80% of the area and production. Owing to its demand in the international market, it has been introduced in the non-traditional growing areas like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. Further, its cultivation is also being taken up under irrigated conditions during summer. Cluster bean seed (endosperm) is a source of a natural hydrocolloid (galactomannan/'guar gum'). The gum has unique abilities with multiple commercial applications like textile, printing, paper, cosmetics, mining, pharmaceutical, petroleum, natural gas, well drilling and oil industries. Green pods are nutritionally rich and are routinely consumed as vegetable especially in northern and western parts of India. Additionally, cluster bean has been reported to have beneficial effects when cultivated as an intercrop. Cluster bean meal (high protein content) obtained from seed coat and germ cell is an excellent feed for monogastric animals. Cluster bean cultivars with high gum content (>32%) and viscosity (4000-5000 cps) are more preferred for export. The value of cluster bean exports from India has increased from Rs 242 crores (1994) to Rs 2100 crores . This review presents the various aspects of cluster bean cultivation and its emergence as an important industrial crop.Key words: Applications, Cluster bean, Cultivation, Galactomannan, Markets, Processing.[Cluster bean Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.)] is an annual legume crop mostly grown under resource constrained conditions in arid and semi-arid regions (Kumar, 2005). Cluster bean is a deep rooted plant of Leguminosae (Fabaceae) family known for drought and high temperature tolerance (Kumar and Rodge, 2012). The major cluster bean cultivating countries are India, Pakistan, USA, Italy, Morocco, Germany, and Spain (Punia et al., 2009). India produces about 80% of the world cluster bean production (Tripathy and Das, 2013). Cluster bean is grown especially in the arid regions of India (Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat and Punjab) for gum purpose, whereas it is grown for vegetable purpose in other parts of India (Rai and Dharmatti, 2013). Cluster bean can be used for multiple purposes (vegetable, cattle feed/fodder or green manure). It is a good source of nutrition and its tender green pods are also a cheap source of nutrients. Further cluster bean meal and seed are used as high protein cattle feed (Rai and Dharmatti, 2013). Cluster bean gum is a naturally occurring hydrocolloid present in the endosperm of seed (also known as 'Guaran'). It has emerged as the most important biologically produced non-toxic, eco-friendly and safe agro-chemical. The gum is produced primarily from ground endosperm after dehusking the seed (Sabahelkheir et al., 2012). Owing to its varied uses, cluster bean has emerged as a ne...

Usefulness of Three under Exploited Vegetable Legumes - A Review

“…However, it is also processed for its various commercial uses, such as the natural vegetable gum extracted from its endosperm. Originally it was grown as a green manure crop (Mudgil et al, 2011;Bhatt et al, 2016). Since its seed endosperm contains galactomannan, it is also known as an endosperm legume and is preferred as a food additive (Manjunath et al, 2016).…”

Effect of water and nitrogen levels on yield attributes, water productivity and economics of cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba) in hot arid region

“…Clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.] commonly known as guar, is an important leguminous crop of arid and semi-arid regions (Bhatt et al, 2017 andRathore et al, 2007a). Clusterbean is a multi-purpose plant, mostly used as a source of galactomannan gum, which is used as a thickener and stabilizer in foods such as salad dressings, ice cream and yoghurt.…”

Characterization and Diversity of Rhizobia Nodulating Prominent Arid Legumes of Thar Desert of India

“…Marechal) are two drought-hardy legume crops, commonly grown in arid and semi-arid regions of India. Clusterbean is reckoned with for export value of the "guar gum" extracted from the endosperm (Ramachandra et al, 2015) and green pods of clusterbean, in the early stage, are used as delicious vegetable (Bhatt et al, 2015). Moth bean is known for its tolerance to high temperature and soil moisture deficit situations (Sadashivanagowda et al, 2017).…”