Prosopis as a Heat Tolerant Nitrogen Fixing Desert Food Legume

The legume family (Fabaceae) contains many genera and species that through their nitrogen fixing process provide high protein food and feed for humans and animals. As evidenced by its presence in Death Valley, California, which holds the record for the highest temperatures in the world, the genus Prosopis is perhaps the most heat tolerant, food producing legume on the planet. This book describes the enormous historical importance of these trees as a human food source and reviews the contemporary food science of the fruit derived from these trees. As well, this treatise reviews the native genetic resources of this genus on 4 continents and classical genetic and horticultural techniques that could help stabilize the environment and alleviate human suffering on some of the world’s most destitute agro-ecosystems. Prosopis: Prospects for Economic Development in Arid Lands is an essential read for researchers interested in forestry and plant science, environmental science, and functional foods. Edited by the world’s leading experts on Prospis species with globally recognized contributorsCovers the different perspectives surrounding the advantages and disadvantages of planting different Prosopis speciesDiscusses the applications of Prosopis species, including how the fruits of this tree can be used as a raw food material