Fagopyrum esculentum Moench: A crop with many purposes in agriculture and human nutrition

Buckwheat is a dicotyledonous crop that quickly grow at high altitudes. It presents high tolerance to acidity and ability to grow in poor soil. This study aimed to identify different buckwheat forms of use and benefits in agriculture and human nutrition. It can be used as green manure, being an option as soil cover plant and recycling of nutrients, as well as an alternative grain and forage. At the plant flowering, it can provide a food source to the predators of common insects’ pests, increasing their populations. In livestock, it can feed cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and poultry because it features similar quality to millet forage, but with higher concentration of protein. Buckwheat could act as a functional forage to manipulate ruminal fermentation. The presence of tannins in plants can positively influence the health of small ruminants because these represent a promising alternative control of gastrointestinal nematodes. For human nutrition, the buckwheat is an important food that contain a well-balanced amino acid profile with a high quantity of lysine, limiting amino acid in grasses such wheat, relatively high fibre content, zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn) and selenium (Se). Furthermore, this flour is gluten-free and it can be used as a supplement for patients with celiac disease. Therefore, it is a culture that should be best explored in different regions of the world. Key words: Buckwheat, celiac sprue, green manuring, high protein, tanniferous plants, recycling of soil nutrients.