Green gram (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek)

Green gram commonly known as "mung" or "mung bean" is the most important crop of the south-east Asia and particularly the Indian subcontinent. This popular and ancient crop is specially recognized as an excellent source of protein. The calorific value of green gram is 334 calories per 100g and its chemical composition is as follows: crude protein 24.0 %, Fat 1.3%, Carbohydrate 56.6%, Minerals 3.5%, Lysine 0.43%, Methionine 0.10%, Calcium 124 mg, phosphorous 3.26 mg and iron 7.3 mg.It also plays an important role in maintaining and improving the fertility of soil through its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen in the soil by root nodules. Nodules on the root of green gram having Rhizobium bacteria, fix about 35 kg ha-1 atmospheric nitrogen.