Nutritional quality assessment of Urdbean germplasm resistant to pod borer complex

Abstract

Urdbean (Vigna mungo), commonly known as black gram, is a significant pulse crop contributing to global nutritional security. However, pod borer complex, particularly Helicoverpa armigera and Maruca vitrata, poses a serious threat to its productivity and nutritional quality. This review explores the nutritional quality of urdbean germplasm resistant to pod borer infestation, emphasizing protein content, amino acid composition, mineral profile, and anti-nutritional factors. Various breeding programs, molecular markers, and biotechnological tools have been employed to develop resistant germplasm without compromising nutritional value. Studies indicate that resistance often correlates with secondary metabolites like phenols and flavonoids, which can influence nutritional bioavailability. This paper synthesizes findings from recent research on resistant urdbean varieties and their nutritional profiling, providing insights for sustainable crop improvement.