Cultivation

The adzuki bean (Vigna angularis) grows in subtropical and temperate climatic zones. The bean is grown primarily in its region of origin, the Far East. In addition to China, Korea, India, Thailand and Japan, other growers of adzuki beans include some South American countries, the USA, New Zealand, the Congo and Angola. In Japan, adzuki is the second most important legume after soybeans.

In Germany, broad beans and common beans are the best known beans.

Utilisation

The green pods and beans of the adzuki bean are prepared as salad or vegetable. The dried and ground beans also may be used in the preparation of:

• soups, baked goods and marmalades
• sweets and sweet beverages
• animal feed

In its native regions and in America, the legume also is used as a tillage crop for vegetable fertilisation.

Gene technology: aims of research and development

Agronomic traits

Resistance against pests

• Insect resistance

Weed management:

• Herbicide tolerance

Quality traits

Modified composition of content

• Enhanced tryptophan content and resulting higher nutritional value: tryptophan is an essential amino acid

Field trials with genetically modified adzuki beans