Clusterbean: Physiology, Genetics and Cultivation

This book provides in-depth information on clusterbean, its cultivation, genetic improvement, plant protection measures, management of abiotic stresses, molecular aspects etc. It is divided into seven chapters including an introduction to the crop, prospects, constraints, genetic improvement, variability, application of clusterbean gum and its byproducts, cultivation, plant protection, physiological and abiotic stress aspects, along with related genetic markers and biotechnological advances.

Clusterbean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taub.), commonly known as ‘guar,’ is an important leguminous crop grown for seed, green fodder, vegetable and green manuring in arid and semi-arid regions and has a special commercial role due to the gum content in its seeds. India’s arid environment provides ideal agro-climatic conditions for the successful cultivation of clusterbean, as the plant needs little surface water, long-duration sunshine and low relative humidity during the cropping season. India accounts for nearly 82 percent of global clusterbean seed production, making it an important export product.

Based on essential industry and market data, the book offers a comprehensive overview of this unique crop, and will be of interest to researchers active in the field of clusterbean breeding. 

Dr. Rakesh Pathak is a Senior Technical Officer at Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur, Rajasthan and is the Fellow of Institution of Chemists (India). He obtained his Doctoral degree on the phytochemical analysis of different cultivars of guar from the Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur. Dr. Pathak has published more than 50 research papers and book chapters on molecular characterization and genetic diversity studies of several crops and trees in the journals and books of national and international repute. He has molecularly characterized and submitted more than 150 novel gene sequences belonging to plant varieties/germplasm, macro-fungi, fungal pathogens and PGPRs with NCBI, USA to address Indian biodiversity. Dr. Pathak has been regularly reviewing manuscripts as a referee of high impact journals.