Parkia roxburghii, an underutilized tree bean for food, nutritional and regional climate security
W. Reshmi Singha, Bandana Kurmi, Uttam Kumar Sahoo, Gudeta W. Sileshi, Arun Jyoti Nath, Ashesh Kumar Das
Abstract
With the advent of the Green Revolution focusing on increasing crop yields to ensure adequate calories, less attention was given to cropping systems diversity. This has led to the neglect and underutilization of traditional crops, including many legume species. Parkia roxburghii commonly known as tree bean is an underutilized leguminous tree with rich nutritional value and grows in northeast Indian states and other Southeast Asian countries. This species plays a critical role in the livelihoods of indigenous people of Northeast India and elsewhere. The different tree parts like pod, flower, and bark are used as food and provide a source of earnings. Hence, the species' sustainable cultivation and management are required for its sustainable use by locals and non-locals. This review aims to give a clear vision of ethnobotanical benefits, nutritional value, management and the prospects of the Parkia in India. The review suggests a vast potential for the cultivation and utilization of this underutilized crop for advancing food security and rural livelihood. We synthesize the current knowledge, practices, and identify gaps in research and development in an effort to contribute to the sustainable utilization of this species for future food, nutritional and regional climate security.