In this chapter, several characteristics of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata), including nutritional and nutraceutical properties, and economic and social aspects of production were analysed with the objective to demonstrate that cowpea is a culture suitable for inclusion in food security programs. Cowpea is rich in diverse nutrients, highlighting high levels of protein. Cowpea also is rich in nutraceuticals compounds such as dietary fibre, antioxidants and polyunsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols. Widely cultivated and consumed cowpea is the very important legume for the nutrition and health of millions of people in many countries. In addition to being nutritious and safe, cowpea has high relative productivity, production stability and high tolerance to environmental stresses such as drought. Cowpea also has economic viability, low environmental impact and contributes to the conservation of natural resources and the sustainability of production systems. Cowpea is a safe food, always available in most regions, low priced compared to other sources of protein. Based on the analyses performed, it is possible to infer that cowpea is a strategic culture for the promotion of food security and health of populations on all continents.

Resumo -Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar os componentes de produção, a produtividade e a qualidade de sementes de cultivares de feijão-caupi cultivadas em Vitória da Conquista, Bahia. Para isso, um experimento foi conduzido no delineamento estatístico de blocos ao acaso, com oito cultivares (BRS Marataoã, BRS Paraguaçu, BRS Pajeú, BRS Xiquexique, BRS Guariba, BRS Potengi, BRS Cauamé e BRS Itaim) e quatro repetições. Foram avaliados os componentes de produção: número de vagens por planta (NVP); número de sementes por vagem (NSV); peso de cem sementes (P100); porcentagem de sobrevivência de plantas (%SBV) e a produtividade de sementes (PROD). Para avaliar a qualidade fisiológica das sementes, foi determinado o teor de água (%U) e massa de mil sementes (MMIL) e foram realizados os testes de porcentagem de germinação (%G), primeira contagem da germinação (PC), condutividade elétrica (CE), porcentagem (%E) e índice de velocidade de emergência de plântulas (IVE). Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise de variância e as médias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey, adotando-se o nível de 5% de probabilidade de erro, e os componentes de produção correlacionados pelo método de Pearson. A elevada PROD alcançada por todas as cultivares, com média de 1.749,08 kg ha -1 , e a boa qualidade fisiológica das sementes, que atende aos padrões de produção e comercialização, indicam que Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, possui condições favoráveis para a produção de sementes de feijão-caupi, com semeadura no mês de novembro. O NVP é o componente de produção que mais influencia a PROD.Palavras-chave -Ambiente de cultivo. Germinação. Vigna unguiculata. Vigor. Abstract -The objective with this study was to evaluate the components of production, productivity and quality of seeds of cowpea cultivars grown in Vitória da Conquista, Bahia. For this, an experiment was conducted in the statistical design of randomized blocks, with eight cultivars (BRS Marataoã, BRS Paraguaçu, BRS Pajeú, BRS Xiquexique, BRS Guariba, BRS Potengi, BRS Cauamé and BRS Itaim) and four replications. Were evaluated the yield components: number of pods per plant (NVP); number of seeds per pod (NSV); weight of hundred seeds (P100); percentage of plant survival (%SBV) and seed yield (PROD). To evaluate the physiological quality of the seeds, was determined the water content (%U) and mass of thousand seeds (MMIL), and performed tests of germination percentage (%G), germination first count (PC), electrical conductivity (CE), percentage (%E) and speed index of seedling emergence (IVE). Data were subjected to analysis of variance and mean ratings compared by Tukey test at 5% probability of error, and yield components correlated by the method of Pearson. The high seed yield achieved for all cultivars, averaging 1749.08 kg ha -1 , and the good seed quality, which meets the standards of production and marketing indicate that Vitoria da Conquista, Bahia has favorable conditions for production of seeds of cowpea, with sowing in November. The number of pods per plant is the yield ...

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Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is among the pulse’s species of greatest economic and social importance. This legume is strategic for the food security and health of millions of people in the world. Cowpea is rich in nutraceuticals compounds such as dietary fibre, antioxidants and polyunsaturated fatty acids and polyphenols, whose health benefits and use in the food industry have been extensively studied. However, research on the identification of functional proteins from cowpea, their metabolic functions and applications in the food, health and other industries are still scarce. In this chapter, a critical review of the most recent and important research about functional cowpea proteins. We objective was identify and systematize information about the nature and functions of these proteins, as well as their use and applications in food, health and other industries. Cowpea seed proteins are highly versatile and offer direct health benefits such as reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease and some types of cancer. The proteins of cowpea are also used in material science for the development of new technologies such as development of special fabrics for protection against ultraviolet rays and microencapsulation of ascorbic acid.

Direct seeding is a technology that reduces the costs of forest restoration projects and favors species which are difficult to establish for seedlings. The seeds osmotic treatment to accelerate and standardize germination and induce tolerance to environmental stresses may favor seedling establishment in field through direct sowing and contribute to the greater efficiency of this technique. With the purpose of favor seed germination and seedling establishment under direct seeding conditions in the field, Tabebuia roseoalba osmoprimed seeds in polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution and unconditioned seeds were treated with isolated and/or combined solutions of plant growth regulators (PGR) and rooting (RTG). These seeds were submitted to germination test and evaluated for percentage germination rate, germination speed index and normal seedlings, and to seedling emergence test by direct field seeding. RTG had a toxic effect on T. roseoalba seeds. Osmoconditioning induced stress tolerance by RTG during germination and on seedling establishment. PGR treatment favors seedling emergence in field conditions and alleviates the toxicity effect caused by RTG. These treatments have great potential for use in direct sowing of T. roseoalba seeds.