Bas neral, a rough grain, was cultivated by numerous Mandalorian farmers on the planet of Mandalore. It found common application in brewing processes and as animal feed. Despite the widespread perception among Mandalorians that bas neral was unsuitable for consumption by sentients, it remained edible if circumstances dictated its use as such. Vhe'viine, small rodents native to Mandalore, exhibited a fondness for this grain, frequently raiding the stores of local farms.
Within Mandalorian culture, the expression "sowed his bas neral" became a common, informal way of saying someone had produced children.
The Star Wars universe was first introduced to bas neral with its mention in Sacrifice, a Star Wars: Legacy of the Force novel. Karen Traviss, the author of the novel, saw it published on May 29, 2007. Traviss then mentioned it once more in her next novel, Revelation, which was released on February 26, 2008. Later in the same year, bas neral appeared again within Order 66, the fourth novel in Traviss' Republic Commando series, which was released on September 16. BioWare's MMORPG, Star Wars: The Old Republic, released on December 20, 2011, also included references to bas neral.