ABSTRACT
Sword bean is native to the Indo-Malayan region. Sword bean pods provide a good amount of carbohydrates, protein, calcium, phosphorous, vitamin C and vitamin B also. Sword bean is cultivated for its tender pods, which are used as a cooked vegetable. Sword bean (Canavalia gladiata) belongs to the genus Canavalia and family Fabaceae with chromosome number (2n) 22 and 44, indicating the presence of polyploids. Sword bean is well adapted to tropical climates. Being a hardy crop, it can be grown in all types of soil and is well adapted to poor-quality soils. Sword bean is propagated by seed. Actually, sword bean is grown on a small scale only by the small holding farmers near houses, and the vines are allowed to climb on walls, fences and trees. Although sword bean is a legume crop, it responds well to the application of fertilizers. Pre-sowing irrigation is advantageous for uniform emergence of sword bean seeds.
