ABSTRACT
The origin of pigeon pea has remained unclear for a long time. Early literature indicates that the crop originated in either Africa (Zanzibar or Guinea) or India. Pigeon pea is credited to be one the most suitable crops for subsistence agriculture that needs minimum external inputs. The green pigeon pea seeds have high crude fibre, fat and digestible protein. Pigeon pea is one of the major pulses grown and used in the forms of split pulse. Pigeon pea is also being used as an integral part of traditional folk medicine in India, China and some other developing countries. The vegetable pigeon pea plant is erect and branching. Vegetable pigeon pea is predominantly a crop of tropical areas mainly cultivated in semi-arid regions of world. The vegetable pigeon pea crop can be grown on almost all kinds of soil such as black cotton soil, red loamy, sandy and clay soils. Vegetable pigeon pea cultivars should have long pods and large seeds.
