Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC.) for food and nutritional security: synthesis of past research and future direction

Abstract

Main Conclusion Winged bean is popularly known as "One Species Supermarket" for its nutrient-dense green pods, immature seeds, tubers, leaves, and mature seeds. This underutilised crop has potential beneficial traits related to its biological nitrogen-fixation to support low-input farming. Drawing from past knowledge, and based on current technologies, we propose a roadmap for research and development of winged bean for sustainable food systems. Reliance on a handful of "major" crops has led to decreased diversity in crop species, agricultural systems and human diets. To reverse this trend, we need to encourage the greater use of minor, "orphan", underutilised species. These could contribute to an increase in crop diversity within agricultural systems, to improve human diets, and to support more sustainable and resilient food production systems. Among these underutilised species, winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) has long been proposed as a crop for expanded use particularly in the humid tropics. It is an herbaceous perennial legume of equatorial environments and has been identified as a rich source of protein, with most parts of the plant being edible when appropriately prepared. However, to date, limited progress in structured improvement programmes has restricted the expansion of winged bean beyond its traditional confines. In this paper, we discuss the reasons for this and recommend approaches for better use of its genetic resources and related Psophocarpus species in developing improved varieties. We review studies on the growth, phenology, nodulation and nitrogen-fixation activity, breeding programmes, and molecular analyses. We then discuss prospects for the crop based on the greater understanding that these studies have provided and considering modern plant-breeding technologies and approaches. We propose a more targeted and structured research approach to fulfil the potential of winged bean to contribute to food security.

Agro-morphological traits and harvest period assessment of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) genotypes for pods production

“…Beside yield parameter, there are some other requirements which must be considered in the breeding program to create varieties. Winged bean has indeterminate growth with several lateral branches (Tanzi et al 2019a). This type of growth leads to continuous flower formation throughout its life cycle.…”

Role of novel protein sources in sustainably meeting future global requirements

“…It is a crop which grows under hot and humid conditions and is one of the richest sources of plant protein at almost 30 g/100 g. Similar to soyabean, and other legumes, it is also a relatively good source of IAA. Its low requirements for water and other external inputs make it an attractive source of sustainable protein, although further research is required to try and improve its relatively poor and variable yields (31) . However, similar to bambara, with appropriate investment, winged beans may help to meet the future demands of the growing global population, particularly in tropical regions, while minimising the impact of protein production on the environment.…”

Prospects for developing an early maturing variety of Winged Bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) in Bogor, Indonesia

“…Winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC. ), known in Indonesian as 'kacang kecipir' and in Sundanese as 'jaat', is a useful household vegetable in Java and the rest of tropical Asia (Sastrapradja and Aminah-Lubis 1975;Thompson and Haryono 1980;Khan 1992;Lepcha et al 2017;Tanzi et al 2019a). The green vegetable pods are sold in small quantities in village markets in Java and from time to time appear in metropolitan supermarket shelves, packaged in plastic wrap alongside common bean ('kacang buncis', Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and yardlong bean ('kacang panjang', Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.…”