Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewed

Forgotten Gems: Exploring the Untapped Benefits of Underutilized Legumes in Agriculture, Nutrition, and Environmental Sustainability.

Odeku OA, Ogunniyi QA, Ogbole OO, Fettke J.

Plants (Basel) · 2024

Read source ↗ All evidence

Summary

This narrative review examines underutilised legume species with potential to advance agricultural sustainability and human nutrition. The authors synthesise evidence on the agronomic performance, nutritional profiles, and environmental benefits of legume crops that remain underexploited in global food systems, arguing that their wider adoption could contribute to soil health improvements and dietary diversification. The paper likely concludes that policy and research investment are needed to mainstream these crops into modern farming systems.

UK applicability

Findings may have limited direct applicability to UK arable systems, which favour major legumes (field beans, peas). However, some underutilised species could improve crop rotation diversity and resilience in UK organic and low-input systems, particularly under climate change.

Key measures

Nutritional composition (protein, micronutrients), agronomic performance, soil nitrogen fixation capacity, environmental sustainability metrics, and potential yield under marginal conditions

Outcomes reported

The study likely synthesised evidence on the agronomic, nutritional, and environmental characteristics of underutilised legume species. It probably assessed their potential to contribute to food security, soil health, and sustainable farming systems.

Theme
Nutrition & health
Subject
Crop genetic resources and agrobiodiversity
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Narrative review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
Global
System type
Arable legumes
DOI
10.3390/plants13091208
Catalogue ID
NRmo9zxr64-0aw

Topic tags

Pulse AI · ask about this record

Dig deeper with Pulse AI.

Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.