FABACEAE: IMPORTÂNCIA ECOLÓGICA DO FEIJÃO GUANDU (Canajus cajan L.)

Abstract

The Fabaceae family is one of the largest botanical families possessing approximately 18,000 species. Its culture is very important in many countries, mainly Asian and African. In Brazil, about 2,694 species are found, and it is recognized because of its ecological and economic potential. The guandu beans (Cajanus cajan) is one of the plants of greater economic and ecological importance. Among the economic benefits, it is possible to highlight the use in human food, such as forage, ornamental, medicinal and green fertilization, among others. The present study is a bibliographical review, using online public access platforms published in the last 20 years, with the objective of analyzing the ecological importance of guandu beans (Cajanus cajan) and their use in green manuring. It has been found that pigeon pea has a great source of protein, also of great ecological importance and in agriculture, mainly in family agriculture. The culture of the pigeon pea has an enormous potential to exert multiple functions in the systems of agricultural production, and for this reason, it is a species that needs to be better explored in places where its use is still limited, since it presents great advantages both for the environment when economically for farmers.

Key-words: Fabaceae; Beans Guandu; green adubation.