Siddhant Ranjan Padhi

Abstract Bambara groundnut [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.] is a nutrient-dense, drought-resilient African legume cultivated largely by smallholders in semi-arid zones. While widely cultivated due to its ability to biologically fix nitrogen, enrich soil fertility, and hold cultural significance, most production relies on germplasm propagated within families with limited breeding efforts.

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1 Introduction Legumes play a crucial role in addressing malnutrition and enhancing global food security due to their nutritional value, sustainability and agronomic benefits. Legumes are a rich source of essential nutrients, including protein, dietary fibre, vitamins (such as folate and vitamin B) and minerals (such as iron, zinc and calcium).