Mat bean facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mat bean |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Vigna
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| Species: |
aconitifolia
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| Synonyms | |
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Phaseolus aconitifolius Jacq. |
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The moth bean (also known as Vigna aconitifolia, mat bean, matki, or dew bean) is a special plant that can grow even when there's not much water. It's a type of legume, like peas or beans. This plant is mostly grown in dry and semi-dry parts of India.
People in India often eat the pods, sprouts, and seeds of the moth bean. Its seeds are packed with protein! The moth bean can grow in many different kinds of soil. It can also be used to feed farm animals.
Because it can handle dry weather, helps stop soil erosion, and has lots of protein, the moth bean might become an even more important food source in the future. Some experts think it could be a great crop for dry areas in Africa.
Contents
What is a Moth Bean?
The moth bean is a plant that grows close to the ground. It's an annual plant, meaning it lives for one growing season. It belongs to the pea family, called Fabaceae. Its stem can grow up to 40 centimeters (about 16 inches) tall. Its branches are hairy and grow very close together, spreading out up to 150 centimeters (about 5 feet) wide.
The plant has yellow flowers. These flowers turn into brown pods that are about 2.5 to 5 centimeters (1 to 2 inches) long. Each pod holds 4 to 9 seeds inside. The seeds are shaped like small rectangles and can be different colors, like yellowish-brown, whitish-green, or even speckled with black.
Where Do Moth Beans Come From?
The moth bean first came from India. People there grow it for food, to feed animals, and to cover the soil. While it's mostly grown in India, you can also find it in the United States, Australia, Thailand, and other parts of Asia.
In India, about 1.5 million hectares (that's like 3.7 million acres) of land are used to grow moth beans. This produces around 0.4 million tons of seeds each year. Even though it has been seen in countries like Sudan and Somalia in Africa, it hasn't been a major crop there. However, people are now looking into growing more moth beans in Africa in the future.
How Do Moth Beans Grow?
The moth bean is one of the toughest plants in India when it comes to dry weather. It's a "short-day" crop, which means it needs shorter daylight hours to grow well. It can grow in places up to 1,300 meters (about 4,265 feet) above sea level. It can also handle a wide range of soil conditions, from very acidic to very alkaline, and even a little bit of salty soil.
Dry, sandy soil is best for moth beans, but they can grow in many other soil types too. When the plant grows low to the ground, it helps protect the soil. This stops the soil from losing its moisture and helps prevent soil erosion.
Moth beans grow best when the temperature is between 24–32 °C (75–90 °F). But they can even survive temperatures up to 45 °C (113 °F) during the day! They don't need much water, which is why they are so good for dry areas. While they prefer about 500–750 mm (20–30 inches) of rain each year, they can still grow with only 200–300 mm (8–12 inches). Some plants have even produced seeds with as little as 50–60 mm (2–2.4 inches) of rain!
Farmers plant moth beans using seeds. It's best to plant them in soil that has been prepared, when the temperature is around 25–27 °C (77–81 °F). Farmers in India usually don't need to add much fertilizer to moth bean crops.
Farming Moth Beans
Moth beans are grown for both people and animals to eat. In India, farmers sometimes grow moth beans by themselves or mix them with other crops like pearl millet. They also plant moth beans as a forage crop (for animal feed) in between growing cotton.
When grown for animal feed, farmers plant about 7–34 kilograms of seeds per hectare (about 6–30 pounds per acre). If it's the only crop, they plant 10–20 kilograms per hectare (about 9–18 pounds per acre). The rows of plants should be 30–90 centimeters (12–35 inches) apart, and the seeds should be planted 2.5–4 centimeters (1–1.6 inches) deep.
It takes about 75–90 days for moth beans to be ready to harvest. They are often planted at the end of the rainy season.
One challenge with this crop is harvesting it. Because the branches are so dense and grow close to the ground, farmers can't use big machines called mowers. Instead, they usually cut the plants by hand with a tool called a sickle. After cutting, the plants are dried for about a week. Then, the seeds are separated from the rest of the plant.
Right now, the amount of seeds harvested is not very high, usually 70–270 kilograms per hectare (about 62–240 pounds per acre). However, research shows that this plant has the potential to produce much more. In places like the US and Australia, experiments have shown yields as high as 2,600 kilograms per hectare (about 2,300 pounds per acre)!
Pests and Diseases
Like all plants, moth beans can get sick or be bothered by pests. One problem is the mungbean yellow mosaic virus, which is spread by a tiny insect called the silverleaf whitefly.
Other issues include root rot and seedling blight, caused by a fungus called Macrophomina phaseolina. Some Striga plants (which are like weeds) and a tiny worm called a nematode (specifically Meloidogyne incognita) can also cause damage. Luckily, some types of moth bean plants are naturally stronger and can resist these pests and diseases.
Eating Moth Beans
You can cook or fry whole or split moth bean seeds. In India, especially in the state of Maharashtra, people often sprout moth beans before cooking them. They use the sprouted beans to make a spicy stew called Matki usal. This stew is also the main part of a popular Indian street food dish called misal pav.
Fried moth bean seeds are used to make a savory, dry snack called dalmoth. You can also boil and eat the moth bean pods. The flour made from moth beans is used to make another tasty snack called bhujia.
Moth Beans for Animals
Besides being a food for people, moth beans are also grown and eaten by farm animals as a forage crop.
Nutritional Information
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 1,436 kJ (343 kcal) |
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61.5 g
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1.6 g
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Protein
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22.9 g
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| Vitamins | Quantity
%DV†
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| Thiamine (B1) |
52%
0.6 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) |
8%
0.1 mg |
| Niacin (B3) |
18%
2.8 mg |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) |
10%
0.5 mg |
| Vitamin B6 |
31%
0.4 mg |
| Folate (B9) |
162%
649 μg |
| Choline |
0%
0 mg |
| Vitamin C |
8%
7 mg |
| Vitamin E |
0%
0 mg |
| Vitamin K |
0%
0 μg |
| Minerals | Quantity
%DV†
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| Calcium |
15%
150 mg |
| Iron |
83%
10.8 mg |
| Magnesium |
107%
381 mg |
| Manganese |
86%
1.8 mg |
| Phosphorus |
70%
489 mg |
| Potassium |
40%
1191 mg |
| Sodium |
2%
30 mg |
| Zinc |
20%
1.9 mg |
| Other constituents | Quantity |
| Water | 9.7 g |
| Ash | 4.3 g |
| †Percentages estimated using US recommendations for adults. | |
A 100-gram serving of raw, uncooked moth bean seeds has about 343 calories. It contains 23 grams of protein, 62 grams of carbohydrates, and 1.6 grams of fat.
Like other beans, moth beans have some natural compounds that can make it harder for your body to use all the protein. However, studies show that moth beans have much less of these compounds compared to other beans. This makes them a very good choice for eating! Soaking and cooking moth beans before you eat them helps break down these compounds, making the protein easier for your body to digest.
