ABSTRACT
Jack bean is almost certainly a native of the West Indies and the adjacent mainland. Jack bean is a legume crop, which is used for animal fodder and human nutrition. The growth-inhibiting properties of jack bean forage is attributed to the presence of toxic amino acid, canavanine, which interferes with the human body's use of arginine and the presence of proteins concanavalin A and B that interfere with nutrients absorption in the animal and human digestive systems. Jack bean is a source of anti-cancer agents such as trigonelline and canavanine. Jack bean is well adapted to poor quality soils. Unlike other pulses, no rich and diverse gene pool of jack bean is available. The seed rate is mainly affected by the germination percentage. Jack bean seeds are usually sown in the months of May-June and September-October. Ridge and furrow method is ideal for its sowing. Jack bean is sensitive to an oversupply of water.
