ABSTRACT
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) is an annual leguminous herb in the Fabaceae family. It is one of the oldest medicinal plants in use today, with a rich documented history. Over 100 different phytochemicals have been identified and isolated from fenugreek seeds. Fenugreek has several medicinal uses in traditional medicine as well as several proven pharmacological activities. Stress factors that affect fenugreek may either be biotic or abiotic. Biotic stress factors include diseases, pests, weeds and insect predation, while abiotic stresses include temperature, moisture and wind. However, fenugreek is very resistant to attacks by insects, animal pests and diseases. In this chapter, the authors discuss how fenugreek responds to the different biotic and abiotic stress factors within the environment. This chapter highlights the genomics of Trigonella foenum-graecum and how both biotic and abiotic factors cause the elicitation of secondary metabolites which are involved in altering the plant physiology to control both biotic and abiotic stress responses. The genomics of the most important secondary metabolites trigonelline and diosgenin are discussed in detail.
