Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek var. radiata) is one of the most important pulse crops grown in South, East and Southeast Asia. It provides significant amounts of protein (240 g kg(-1)) and carbohydrate (630 g kg(-1)) and a range of micronutrients in diets. Mungbean protein and carbohydrate are easily digestible and create less flatulence than proteins derived from other legumes. In addition, mungbean is lower in phytic acid (72% of total phosphorus content) than pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L. Millsp.), soybean (Glycine max L.) and cereals; phytic acid is commonly found in cereal and legume crops and has a negative impact on iron and zinc bioavailability in plant-based diets. Owing to its palatable taste and nutritional quality, mungbean has been used as an iron-rich whole food source for baby food. The wide genetic variability of mineral concentrations (e.g. 0.03-0.06 g Fe kg(-1), 0.02-0.04 g Zn kg(-1)) in mungbean indicates possibilities to improve its micronutrient content through biofortification. Therefore biofortification of existing mungbean varieties has great potential for enhancing the nutritional quality of diets in South and Southeast Asia, where protein and micronutrient malnutrition are among the highest in the world. This review paper discusses the importance of mungbean in agricultural production and traditional diets and the potential of enhancing the nutritional quality of mungbean through breeding and other means, including agronomic practices.

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Malnutrition or 'hidden hunger' severely stunts human potential due to imbalanced diets and a lack of vital vitamins and minerals. Hunger and obesity are its extremes. Hardy, multipurpose legumes that can be used as vegetables or grains by smallholders or large enterprises and with multiple manufacturing uses have a vital role to play in overcoming growing malnutrition in South Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. Population growth over the next 40 years will require a doubling of food production in developing countries and climate change will make achieving this goal more uncertain. Mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilzcek) and vegetable soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) can be consumed as highly nutritious vegetables or grains and are well suited to smallholder production under adverse climatic conditions. Both are well established in intensive cropping systems in Asia, but are little known elsewhere. Recent collaborative plant breeding efforts in Asia produced high yielding, disease-resistant mungbean varieties that mature synchronously in 60-65 days. This revolutionized the industry, allowing the crop to be added to smallholder rice/wheat rotations and leading to a major increase in global production Vegetable soybeans are larger and more nutritious than grain soybeans, but constitute less than 2% of global soybean production. Well known as fresh vegetables in East Asia, they are highly suited to smallholder agriculture or home gardens, producing among the highest yields of crop protein per unit area. More promotion and minor adaptive research can make these regional successes more widely available to help overcome malnutrition.Keywords Mungbean Á Vegetable soybean Á Malnutrition Á Smallholder Malnutrition in a warmer worldThe changing nature of malnutrition A balanced diet is essential for good health and human development. Malnutrition is primarily a problem of poverty, but it is also influenced by social and cultural factors. Excess energy consumption resulting in obesity is an extreme result of malnourishment, as is undernutrition and starvation. Imbalanced diets are widespread in developing and developed nations. Good health depends on the availability, affordability, and acceptability of the foods essential to a balanced diet, including legumes.

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In the Mediterranean region, chickpeas are traditionally spring-sown since humid winter conditions encourage the development of Aschochyta blight which often causes complete crop failure. Lines resistant to this blight have been selected at the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA) and thus winter planting has become feasible. The best selection, ILC 482, was sown in both winter and spring at three locations in northern Syria with contrasting precipitation patterns. Crop growth and soil moisture analyses were undertaken on all treatments, and relevant meteorological data were collected at each location. At all locations maximum greenarea and dry-matter production of the winter-sown crop was nearly double that of the spring sowing. Large differences were also observed between sites, with green-area and dry-matter production decreasing with precipitation. Depth of profile recharge, amount of extractable moisture and crop evapotranspiration also decreased with precipitation, but only small differences in these moisture variables were observed between winter and spring sowing. Duration of green-area production, as determined by the onset of rapid leaf senescence, was closely related to the fraction of extractable moisture in the soil profile, rapid senescence occurring in all treatments when extractable moisture fell below 40% of its maximum value. Differences in the maximum rates of green-area production are discussed both in relation to the depth of profile recharge, hence the depth of rooting and moisture extraction and to the ambient evaporative demand. The differences observed in green-area and dry-matter production was clearly reflected in final seed yield. The components of yield, number of pods, percentage of empty pods and seed size are related to the variations in moisture stress experienced by the crop.

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