Introduction to major field crops (1+1)

Importance

Gram being an important source of protein and calories is also rich in minerals and vitamins. Gram contains 23 per cent protein, 63.5 per cent carbohydrate, 5.3 per cent fat. It is also rich in vitamin A and C, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and iron.

Gram is mainly used for human consumption as well as for animal feeds. It is utilized as whole grain, dal (decorticated dry split cotyledons) and flour (powdered dal). Gram based foods are prepared using a wide range of recipes like soaked, sprouted, fermented, boiled, roasted, salted or unsalted, parched, fried, flour, steamed as well as green foliage and grain as vegetables are the important forms in which it is consumed by the people. The gram flour is used for preparing various types of sweets,oil fried items and also used for bathing.Gram is considered to have medicinal effects such as for blood purification, germinated seeds are recommended to cure scurvy, malic and oxalic acids collected from green leaves are prescribed for intestinal troubles. Soaked grain and husk are fed to horses and cattle as concentrate and roughage, respectively. The straw of gram is an excellent fodder for cattle.




Fig: Green pods and grains.

Fig: Sprouted grains.

Fig: Fried gram dal. Fig: Laddoo

Fig: Sev.