Seed Quality of Lablab Bean (Lablab purpureus) as Influenced by Seed Maturity and Drying Methods

Abstract

The lablab bean or ‘Kacang sepat’ is a food crop originating from India and is commonly found in tropical areas such as Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines due to its adaptability. However, in Malaysia, lablab is grown as a backyard crop, and the area cultivated with this crop is still limited. Lablab has the potential to become a commercial vegetable crop in Malaysia due to its high protein content (18–25%). Therefore, to increase lablab cultivation, good quality seeds are a prerequisite. A key factor in the production of quality seeds is the ideal harvest time of the pods during seed development and maturation and based on identifiable characteristics. The first part of this study was conducted to assess the physical characteristics of lablab pods and seeds of the cultivar Highworth (MDI 12842). Plants were grown using standard cultural practices. Pods and seeds were collected at ten different maturity stages (5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 days after anthesis (DAA)). Pods and seeds showed a significant difference in size and colour at different maturity stages. Seeds harvested at 20 DAA had maximum pod and seed size. The seeds attained physiological maturity (PM) at 30 DAA when the pod colour is light reddish brown and, after being subjected to sun and oven drying, gave maximum germination percentages of 89% and 91%, respectively, while fresh seeds had only 78% germination. Results indicated that the germination percentage of lablab improved, regardless of the drying method used. Therefore, the lablab bean pod colour is a suitable indicator to be used as an easy method for the identification of the best time for pod harvesting for seed production.

Seed Quality of Lablab Beans (Lablab purpureus L.) as Influenced by Drying Methods and Storage Temperature

“…This can be due to seeds being harvested at a stage where they are still underdeveloped (Figure 3). It shows in Figure 3 that the colour changes of the purple lablab occur from 30 DAA, as suggested by Fatin et al [28], right through 40 DAA. There is a possibility that the purple lablab bean can be harvested later than 30 DAA, and to ensure that maximum viability and vigour are achieved, harvesting at later stages (35-40 DAA) should be practiced for commercial seed production.…”

Comprehensive Metabolite Profiling of Four Different Beans Fermented by Aspergillus oryzae

“…Interestingly, PV contains tannin, and anthocyanins, existing in the skin of the bean [18]. LP is a source of various nutrients such as proteins, tocopherols, minerals, vitamins, and phytochemicals, and is mainly used for medicine in East Asia (e.g., India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Korea) [19][20][21].…”