Identification of early maturing short season Mung bean (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek) genotypes for production in Saskatchewan

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Pulses are dried seeds of grain legumes, which fix atmospheric nitrogen, making them an environmentally friendly crop. In pulses, carbohydrates (50 - 65%) are the predominant storage constituent, followed by protein (18 - 30%), minor quantities of lipids, vitamins and minerals. Saskatchewan is the major pulse crop producer in Canada. At present, peas, lentils, dry beans and chickpeas are the four major pulse crops grown in Canada. However, with the changing demographics, there is a growing demand for other pulse crops in Canada. Mung bean is a pulse that is consumed as sprouts in oriental cuisine to soups and stews and dhal. The Canadian imports of Mung beans has doubled from $2 million in 2001 to around $5 million in the last decade and half. With a growing south Asian population the demand is expected to grow. Pulses are also considered as healthy foods especially for vegetarians for whom it serves as major protein source. Pulse proteins contain less methionine, but are rich in lysine, an essential amino acid deficient in cereal grains. The major pulse storage carbohydrate is starch, which has higher amount of amylose compared to cereal starch, that makes pulse starch less digestible. Pulse seeds also have high amount of complex carbohydrates that form the dietary fiber. Mung bean is a small-seeded, short duration and warm season legume crop. There have been some studies in Canada to grow Mung beans. The proposed research project will assess a mini core collection (290 genotypes) to identify very early maturing genotypes amenable to be grown in Saskatchewan and western Canada. The genotypes will be grown at two locations in Saskatchewan, around Regina and Tisdale in plots provided by Hanfood group holding corp. The genotypes will be assessed for agronomic traits and seed quality such as carbohydrates, proteins, dietary fiber and other selected micro-nutrients. Successful completion of this project will identify, early maturing genotypes suitable for Canadian conditions. Mung bean can be added as a new pulse crop for Canadian producers to meet the growing demand of Canadian consumers, and open up additional international markets.