Grass pea. Lathyrus sativus L.

Abstract

This is one of more then 20 crop monographs that resulted from a BMZ, Germany funded and IPGRI coordinated project on the promotion of conserving and utilizing neglected and underutilized crops. For more details see full text.

Full text

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Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18.
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IPGRI
Clayton G.
Campbell
Lathyrus sativus L.

2 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
The International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) is an autonomous
international scientific organization operating under the aegis of the Consultative
Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). The international status of
IPGRI is conferred under an Establishment Agreement which, by March 1997, had
been signed by the Governments of Algeria, Australia, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil,
Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chile, China, Congo, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Cyprus,
Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Greece, Guinea, Hungary, India,
Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritania, Morocco, Pakistan,
Panama, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Senegal, Slovak Republic, Sudan,
Switzerland, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda and Ukraine. IPGRI’s mandate is to
advance the conservation and use of plant genetic resources for the benefit of present
and future generations. IPGRI works in partnership with other organizations,
undertaking research, training and the provision of scientific and technical advice and
information, and has a particularly strong programme link with the Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Financial support for the research
agenda of IPGRI is provided by the Governments of Australia, Austria, Belgium,
Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, the Republic
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Sweden, Switzerland, the UK and the USA, and by the Asian Development Bank,
CTA, European Union, IDRC, IFAD, Interamerican Development Bank, UNDP and
the World Bank.
The Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) is operated as an
independent foundation under public law. The foundation statute assigns to IPK
the task of conducting basic research in the area of plant genetics and research on
cultivated plants.
The geographical designations employed and the presentation of material in
this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part
of IPGRI, the CGIAR or IPK concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city
or area or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or
boundaries. Similarly, the views expressed are those of the authors and do not
necessarily reflect the views of these participating organizations.
Citation:
Campbell, Clayton G. 1997. Grass pea. Lathyrus sativus L. Promoting the
conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. Institute of Plant
Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Gatersleben/International Plant Genetic
Resources Institute, Rome, Italy.
ISBN 92-9043-341-8
IPGRI IPK
Via delle Sette Chiese 142 Corrensstrasse 3
00145 Rome 06466 Gatersleben
Italy Germany
© International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, 1997

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 3
Contents
Foreword 5
Acknowledgements 6
Introduction 7
1 Taxonomy and names of the species 8
1.1 Classification of the genus 8
1.2 Accepted botanical name and synonyms 8
1.3 Common names for the species in various countries 8
2 Description of the crop 9
3 Origin of the species and important centres of diversity 12
3.1 Origin 12
3.2 Domestication and evolution 12
4 Properties 15
4.1 Composition 15
4.2 Antinutritional and toxic properties of the species 15
4.3 Nitrogen fixation 17
5 Uses 18
5.1 Forage and animal feed 18
5.2 Human consumption 19
5.3 Second and low-input crop 20
6 Genetic resources 21
6.1 Range of diversity of major characteristics and geographic trends 21
6.2 Evaluations 27
6.3 Collections 29
6.4 Databases 34
6.5 Descriptors 35
6.6 Conservation methods and techniques used 37
6.7 Major gaps in the conservation of the species 37
7 Breeding 39
7.1 Cytogenetics 39
7.2 Breeding method 40
7.3 Breeding objectives 41
7.4 Breeding programmes 45
7.5 Improved lines 47
8 Major and minor production areas 48
9 Ecology and Agronomy 50
9.1 Seeding 50
9.2 Weeding 51
9.3 Pests and diseases 51
9.4 Yield 51
9.5 Harvest 53
10 Limitations of the crop 54
11 Prospects 55

4 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
12 Further research needs 56
13 Lathyrus Genetic Resources Network 57
References 60
Further reading 67
Appendix I. Centres maintaining collections of grass pea 73
Appendix II. Research contacts 77
Appendix III. List of acronyms and abbreviations 92

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 5
Foreword
Humanity relies on a diverse range of cultivated species; at least 6000 such species are
used for a variety of purposes. It is often stated that only a few staple crops produce
the majority of the food supply. This might be correct but the important contribution
of many minor species should not be underestimated. Agricultural research has
traditionally focused on these staples, while relatively little attention has been given
to minor (or underutilized or neglected) crops, particularly by scientists in developed
countries. Such crops have, therefore, generally failed to attract significant research
funding. Unlike most staples, many of these neglected species are adapted to various
marginal growing conditions such as those of the Andean and Himalayan highlands,
arid areas, salt-affected soils, etc. Furthermore, many crops considered neglected at
a global level are staples at a national or regional level (e.g. tef, fonio, Andean roots
and tubers, etc.), contribute considerably to food supply in certain periods (e.g.
indigenous fruit trees) or are important for a nutritionally well-balanced diet (e.g.
indigenous vegetables). The limited information available on many important and
frequently basic aspects of neglected and underutilized crops hinders their
development and their sustainable conservation. One major factor hampering this
development is that the information available on germplasm is scattered and not
readily accessible, i.e. only found in ‘grey literature’ or written in little-known
languages. Moreover, existing knowledge on the genetic potential of neglected
crops is limited. This has resulted, frequently, in uncoordinated research efforts for
most neglected crops, as well as in inefficient approaches to the conservation of
these genetic resources.
This series of monographs intends to draw attention to a number of species
which have been neglected in a varying degree by researchers or have been
underutilized economically. It is hoped that the information compiled will
contribute to: (1) identifying constraints in and possible solutions to the use of the
crops, (2) identifying possible untapped genetic diversity for breeding and crop
improvement programmes and (3) detecting existing gaps in available conservation
and use approaches. This series intends to contribute to improvement of the
potential value of these crops through increased use of the available genetic
diversity. In addition, it is hoped that the monographs in the series will form a
valuable reference source for all those scientists involved in conservation, research,
improvement and promotion of these crops.
This series is the result of a joint project between the International Plant Genetic
Resources Institute (IPGRI) and the Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant
Research (IPK). Financial support provided by the Federal Ministry of Economic
Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of Germany through the German Agency for
Technical Cooperation (GTZ) is duly acknowledged.
Series editors:
Dr Joachim Heller, Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK)
Dr Jan Engels, International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI)
Prof. Dr Karl Hammer, Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK)

6 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
Acknowledgements
The International Plant Genetic Resources Institute would like to thank Dr R.K.
Arora, Dr J. Engels and Dr P. Mathur for their critical review of the manuscript.

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 7
Introduction
The grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L., Leguminosae) has over the past decade received
increased interest as a plant that is adapted to arid conditions and contains high
levels of protein, a component that is increasingly becoming hard to acquire in many
developing areas. This monograph attempts to show the large potential this crop
has for the areas where it is now grown as well as for other areas where its
adaptation or desirable features make it a very attractive crop to produce.
The genus Lathyrus is large with 187 species and subspecies being recognized
(Allkin et al. 1983). Species are found in the Old World and the New World. There
are centres of diversity for Old World species in Asia Minor and the Mediterranean
region (Zeven and de Wet 1982). However, only one species – Lathyrus sativus – is
widely cultivated as a food crop (Jackson and Yunus 1984), while other species are
cultivated to a lesser extent for both food and forage. Some species are valued as
ornamental plants, especially the sweet pea (L. odoratus). Cytogenetic and
biosysystematic studies that have been conducted on some of the main pulse crops
have focused attention on wild species genetic resources and their more efficient
utilization in crop improvement. The extent of the morphological variation of L.
sativus also has received attention, with Jackson and Yunus (1984) finding great
variation, especially in vegetative characters within the species.
Grass pea is an important crop of economic significance in India, Bangladesh,
Pakistan, Nepal and Ethiopia. It is cultivated and extensively naturalized in
Central, South and Eastern Europe (from Germany south to Portugal and Spain and
east to the Balkans and S. Russia), in Crete, Rhodes, Cyprus and in West Asia and
North Africa (Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, Iraq, Afghanistan, Morocco, and
Algeria).
The grass pea is endowed with many properties that combine to make it an
attractive food crop in drought-stricken, rain-fed areas where soil quality is poor
and extreme environmental conditions prevail (Palmer et al. 1989). Despite its
tolerance to drought it is not affected by excessive rainfall and can be grown on land
subject to flooding (Kaul et al. 1986; Rathod 1989; Campbell et al. 1994). It has a very
hardy and penetrating root system and therefore can be grown on a wide range of
soil types, including very poor soil and heavy clays. This hardiness, together with
its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, makes the crop one that seems designed to
grow under adverse conditions (Campbell et al. 1994). Compared with other
legumes, the grass pea is resistant to many pests including storage insects (Palmer
et al. 1989).

8 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
1 Taxonomy and names of the species
1.1 Classification of the genus
Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is a food, feed and fodder crop belonging to the
family Leguminosae (= Fabaceae), subfamily Papilionoideae, tribe Vicieae.
Other economically important species include Lathyrus cicera and L. tingitanus
for grain and L. ochrus, L. latifolius and L. sylvestris as forage species. A newly
described species, Lathyrus amphicarpus, is presently found in the Middle East and
has the potential of becoming important as a self-seeding forage species.
1.2 Accepted botanical name and synonyms
The accepted botanical name and synonyms of the species according to Hanelt
(1986) are:
Lathyrus sativus L., Sp. Pl. (1753) 730. - Cicercula alata Moench, Methodus (1794) 163;
C. sativa (L.) Alef. in Bonplandia 9 (1861) 147; Pisum lathyrus E. H. L. Krause in Sturm,
Fl. Deutschld. ed. 2, 9 (1901) 50; Lathyrus abyssinicus A. Br. ex Chiov. in Atti Soc. Ital.
Progr. Sci. 17 (1929) 548, nom.; Lathyrus asiaticus (Zalk.) Kudrj. in Fl. Uzbek. 3 (1955)
781.
1.3 Common names for the species in various countries
Common names of the species according to a large variety of sources are as follows.
Bangladesh Khesari
Burma Pé-kyin-baung, pé-sa-li, mutter pea
China San lee dow
CyprusFovetta, pharetta, dog-toothed pea
Ethiopia Sabberi, guaya
France Lentille d’Espagne, pois carré, gesse blanche, gesse chichi, gesse commune,
gessette
Germany Saatplatterbse
India Kesare, khesari, karas, karil, kasar, khesari dhal, khesra, lang, chural, latri,
lakhori, Lakhodi, chattra matur, santal, teora, tiuri, batura,
chickling vetch, chickling pea
Italy Cicerchia coltivata, pisello bretonne, pisello cicerchia
Nepal Kheshari
Pakistan Matri, mattra
Sudan Gilban(eh)
Venezula Frijol gallinazo, garbanzo

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 9
2 Description of the crop
This section gives an overall description of the crop. There is a large range of
variation for several of the characters.
Lathyrus sativus is a much-branched (Fig. 1), straggling or climbing, herbaceous
annual, with a well-developed taproot system, the rootlets of which are covered
with small, cylindrical, branched nodules, usually clustered together in dense
groups.
The stems are slender, 25-60 cm long, quadrangular with winged margins.
Stipules are prominent, narrowly triangular to ovate with a basal appendage. The
pinnate leaves are opposite, consisting of one or two pairs of linear-lanceolate
leaflets, 5-7.5 x 1 cm, and a simple or much-branched tendril. Leaflets are entire,
sessile, cuneate at the base and acuminate at the top (Figs. 1 and 2).
Fig. 1.
Lathyrus sativus
: (a) early branching, (b) flowers and (c) winged pod characteristic.
a
b c

1 0 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
Fig. 2.
Lathyrus sativus
L. (a) part of a flowering branch, (b) flower in front and side view, (c) dorsal
petal (bottom), wings and keel (from right), (d) pod with seeds (drawing by R. Kilian in Schultze-
Motel 1986, reprinted with permission of the Gustav Fischer Verlag, Berlin).

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 11
The flowers are axillary, solitary, about 1.5 cm long, and may be bright blue,
reddish purple, red, pink, or white (Fig. 1). The peduncle is 3.0-5.0 cm long with
two minute bracts. Flowers have a short and slender pedicel. Calyx teeth are
longer and glabrous. Tube is 3 mm long with five lobes, subequal and triangular.
Standard petal is erect and spreading, ovate 15 x 18 mm, finely pubescent at upper
margin, clawed. Wings are ovate, 14 x 8 mm, clawed and obtuse at top (Fig. 2).
Colour is similar to standard. Keel is slightly twisted, boat-shaped, 10 x 7 mm,
entirely split dorsally, ventrally split near the base. Colour is a lighter shade than
wing and standard.
Stamens are diadelphous (9+1) with vexillary stamens free, 9 mm long, winged
at base, apical part filiform, slightly winged. Staminal sheath is 6 mm long, with free
filaments of uniform length. Anthers are elliptoid, 0.5 mm long and yellow.
Ovary is sessile, thin, 6 mm long, pubescent with 5-8 ovules. Style is abruptly
upturned, 6-7 mm long, widening at tip, and bearded below the stigma. Stigma is
terminal, glandular-papillate and spatulate.
Pods are oblong, flat, slightly bulging over the seeds, about 2.5-4.5 cm in
length, 0.6-1.0 cm in width and slightly curved (Figs. 1 and 2). The dorsal part of
the pod is 2-winged, shortly beaked and contains 3-5 small seeds. Seeds are 4-7 mm
in diameter, angled and wedge-shaped (Fig. 2). Colour is white, brownish-grey or
yellow, although spotted or mottled forms also exist. Hilum is elliptic and
cotyledons are yellow to pinkish yellow.
Germination is hypogeal, the epicotyl purplish-green. The first two leaves are
simple. The first leaf is small, scale-like, often fused with two lateral stipulae. The
second leaf is sublate, connected at the base with stipulae.

1 2 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
3 Origin of the species and important centres of diversity
3.1 Origin
It has been reported by several authors that the origin of L. sativus was unknown as
it was thought that the natural distribution had been completely obscured by
cultivation, even in southwest and central Asia, its presumed centre of origin (Smartt
1984). However, it is now suggested that the crop originated in the Balkan peninsula.
There are reports of wild L. sativus in Iraq (Townsend and Guest 1974) but it is not clear
if these are indeed wild or escapes from cultivation. As reported by Jackson and Yunus
(198
4), some of the earliest archaeological evidence comes from Jarmo, in Iraqi Kurdistan, dated
at 8000 BC. Remains of Lathyrus species have been found at Ali Kosh (9500-7600 BC) and Tepe
Sadz (7500-5700 BC) in Iran and are among the most common foods recorded at these sites
(Jackson and Yunus 1984). At Azmaska Moghila, in Bulgaria, remains dated at ca. 7000 BC
have been tentatively identified as L. cicera (Renfrew 1969). Remains of L. sativus also have
been reported in India dating back to 2000-1500 BC by Saraswat (1980) who indicated the
possibility of diffusion of the crop from West Asia.
Vavilov (1951) described two separate centres of origin of the crop. One was the Central
Asiatic Centre which includes northwest India, Afghanistan, the Republics of Tajikistan
and Uzbekistan and western Tian-Shan. The second was the Abyssinian Centre. In
addition, Vavilov noted trends in diversity similar to those found in other pulses, such as
lentils and broad beans, in that smaller-seeded forms were found in southern and southwest
Asia, whereas around the Mediterranean region, almost all were highly cultivated forms
with large white seeds and flowers (Jackson and Yunus 1984).
However, the combination of archaeobotanical and phytogeographical evidence
gathered now leads to the conclusion that the origin of L. sativus cultivation is located in
the Balkan peninsula, in the early Neolithic period, dated to the beginning of the 6th
millenium BC (Kislev 1989). Kislev suggests that the practice of agriculture of annuals,
including cereals and legumes such as pea and lentil, introduced from the Near East arou
nd
6000 BC enabled the domestication of L. sativus in this region. This means that L.
sativus is perhaps the first crop domesticated in Europe as a consequence of
expansion of agriculture from the Near East.
There is a large amount of morphological variation, especially in vegetative
characters such as leaf length, while floral characters are much less variable (Jackson
and Yunus 1984). The development of forms with larger leaves may have resulted
from selection for forage types. It appears, therefore, that there is a large base of
germplasm present in many countries that can be utilized by plant breeders in the
production of locally adapted lines for specific requirements.
3.2 Domestication and evolution
The species L. sativus is probably a derivative from the genetically nearest wild
species, L. cicera (Hopf 1986). This somewhat smaller-seeded vetch grows in the
countries from Greece to Iran and Transcaucasia. In this area carbonized Lathyrus
seeds have been retrieved from a number of prehistoric sites, going as far east as

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 13
India. Grass pea could also be traced in Italy and southeast France. One isolated
sample is reported from early bronze age Portugal. The most northerly finds are
known from Hungary. Hopf (1986) reports that under the scanning microscope the
papillae on the seed surface of the two species look somewhat different. In L. sativus
the papillae were low, wide, with a somewhat blunt top and long, almost radial,
protruding ridges; whereas in L. cicera the papillae were higher, conic and pointed;
and the shorter, shallower ridges did not reach the top and were not connected
with those of the neighbouring papillae. He also found that the same differences
could be found in a prehistoric sample, and therefore concluded that these two
species probably grew together in the same field. It is suggested that expansion of
L. sativus farming to southern France and Spain may have led to the domestication
of the local L. cicera. According to archaeobotanical finds it happened not later than
the 3rd or 4th millennium BC. Then came the possibility of their being mutually
cultivated and the spread of such a mixture throughout the Mediterranean basin.
Kislev (1989) believes that seed coat patterns may help in verifying the theory that
in the Neolithic period L. sativus was cultivated in eastern Mediterranean countries
while L. cicera was confined to France and Spain, as it is today.
The close morphological affinity of L. sativus, L. cicera and L. gorgoni is
interesting and may be a consequence of hybridization or common ancestry
(Jackson and Yunus 1984). Lathyrus sativus and L. cicera resemble each other in
certain floral characteristics, although in fruit L. sativus is closer to L. amphicarpus,
L. blepharicarpos and L. marmaoratus (Davis 1970). The relationship of L. stenophyllus
to these three species is more problematic on account of the small numbers of
specimens examined. From the material studied by Jackson and Yunus (1984) there
was a clear distinction between these three species and the other 11 species of
section Lathyrus, with a few exceptions. In addition, the pollen morphology of L.
sativus, L. cicera and L. gorgoni is very similar (Yunus 1982), and preliminary
karyotype studies of these species show close similarity. Davies (1958) has
indicated a closer link between L. sativus and L. cicera than to other species. Close
association of L. sativus with L. cicera and L. gorgoni also has been shown by Bell
(1971), on the basis of the distribution of non-protein amino acids in Lathyrus
species.
In general interspecific hybrids are difficult to make in Lathyrus but the reasons
for this interspecific incompatibility are not at all evident. The ability of L. sativus
and L. cicera to hybridize was demonstrated by Lwin (1956) and confirmed by
Khawaja (pers. comm.). This suggests a close association between these two
species. The hybrid L. sativus and L. amphicarpus (Khawaja 1988) also suggests a
close association between these two species. Lathyrus sativus, L. cicera and L. gorgoni
have a sympatric distribution in Turkey and are often found as weeds in other
crops. As L. sativus has been shown to have varying amounts of outcrossing,
ranging as high as 27.8% in Bangladesh (Rahman et al. 1995), the possibility of
natural outcrossing between these species cannot be discounted. An evaluation of
the species genepools is a valuable step in the exploitation of germplasm (Smartt

1 4 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
1981) and this approach appears to be much needed in Lathyrus if it is necessary to
reach outside the cultivated species genepools for valuable genetic traits.
Subterranean vetch (L. amphicarpus) produces underground cleistogamous
flowers that are never exposed to light (Abd El Moneim 1989). These flowers are
sessile in the axils of minute, lobed leaves on subterranean rhizomes or stems. The
flower-bearing rhizomes develop from cotyledonary buds situated at the basal
nodes just above the root collar. They are chlorotic, delicate, rarely branched and
consist of a few long internodes. The apex is recurved to protect the apical bud as
it penetrates the soil. Subterranean and aerial flowers normally appear
simultaneously, although occasionally the subterranean flowers develop after
those above ground are completely matured. The underground flowers are more
fertile than their exposed counterparts. The location of the subterranean flowers
probably protects them from environmental factors harmful to pollen formation or
fertility and from grazing. This species was discovered during evaluation of new
vetch germplasm during 1986/87 at ICARDA (Abd El Moneim 1989). They had
been collected from dry areas in the central Anatolian region of Turkey and from
barley-growing areas in Syria where the species sometimes grows as a weed.

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 15
4 Properties
4.1 Composition
There appear to be few studies on the nutritional aspects of L. sativus. Rotter et al.
(1991) gave the following composition of four samples grown in Manitoba, Canada,
as shown in Table 1.
Rahman et al. (1974) gave the following values for L. sativus: energy 362.3 cal;
protein 31.6%; fat 2.7%; nitrogen-free extract 51.8%; crude fibre 1.1% and ash 2.2%.
Aletor et al. (1994) reported on selected lines of three Lathyrus species. They found
that crude protein averaged 32.5% (of dry matter) in L. sativus compared with L.
cicera at 29.5%. Ash content was reported to vary from 3.5 to 3.56% for advanced
lines and crossing progeny of L. sativus.
Table 1.Composition of four samples of grass pea seeds
Component Range
Water (%) 7.5-8.2
Starch (%) 48.0-52.3
Protein (%) 25.6-28.4
Acid detergent fibre (%) 4.3-7.3
Ash (%) 2.9-4.6
Fat (%) 0.58-0.8
Calcium (mg/kg) 0.07-0.12
Phosphorus (mg/kg) 0.37-0.49
Lysine (mg/kg) 18.4-20.4
Threonine (mg/kg) 10.2-11.5
Methionine (mg/kg) 2.5-2.8
Cysteine (mg/kg) 3.8-4.3
Source: Rotter
et al.
(1991).
4.2 Antinutritional and toxic properties of the species
Data on various antinutritional factors were investigated in 100 germplasm
collections of L. sativus at Morden Research Station, Canada by Deshpande and
Campbell (1992).
A strong epidemiological association is known to exist between the
consumption of grass pea and a motor neuron disease called lathyrism (paralysis
of lower limbs). A neurotoxin, ß-N-oxalyl-L-a, ß-diaminopropionoc acid (ODAP
also known as BOAA) has been identified as the causative principle for lathyrism
and is present in all parts of the plant (Campbell et al. 1994). ODAP was first

1 6 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
identified in L. sativus by Bell (1962) when he found ninhydrin-reacting compounds
in many Lathyrus species. The biosynthesis of b-ODAP from its precursor b-
(isoxazolin-5-on-2-yl)-alanine (BIA) was demonstrated in young seedlings by Kuo
et al. (1994). Prakash et al. (1977) reported that ODAP was found in all tissues of L.
sativus plants, irrespective of age or variety, but maximum content was observed in
the leaf at vegetative stage and in the embryo at the reproductive stage. Rotter et
al. (1991) reported that chicks fed 400 g/kg of low- and medium-ODAP lines or 600
g/kg of low ODAP line suggested that ODAP might play a anti-nutritional role in
food digestion. This aspect, however, has not been critically examined.
Condensed tannin levels in L. sativus lines ranged from 0 to 4.38 g/kg
(Deshpande and Campbell 1992). Out of a total of 100 lines, 29 accessions/
genotypes lacked or had barely detectable levels of condensed tannins. Twenty-
seven accessions had tannin contents greater than 2 g/kg. Since tannins are
strongly astringent (owing to their protein-binding properties), a depression of
feed intake, which lowers animal productivity, would be expected. Although
astringency seems to be the major cause of lower feed intakes, several other factors
may contribute to the lower feed efficiency ratios of tannin-containing diets. These
include the formation of tannin/protein complexes that make the protein
unavailable, inhibition of the digestive enzymes, increased synthesis of digestive
enzymes due to inadequate enzymic digestion, and increased loss of endogenous
proteins such as the mucoproteins of the gastrointestinal tract (Price and Butler
1980).
The total phenolics ranged from 39 to 999 and 86 to 891 mg/kg
in 100 lines when
assayed by Folin-Ciocalteu and Prussian blue assays, respectively (Deshpande and
Campbell 1992). The genotypes that were devoid of condensed tannins did contain
lower levels of other phenolic compounds. Unlike condensed tannins, low
molecular weight phenolic compounds, unless present in very high amounts, do not
directly cause any harmful effects to swine and cattle. Their only apparent effect
appears to be a contribution to the bitter taste of the ration, thereby lowering the
feed intake of animals.
In their study they found that both condensed tannins and total phenolics were
highly correlated with the seed coat pigmentation (Deshpande and Campbell 1992).
The 29 lines that were almost devoid of tannins were all characterized by a white
to creamy yellow seed coat, with very few, if any, speckles. In contrast, with the
exception of one accession which had whitish-yellow seeds with brown specks, the
moderate to high tannin-containing lines were all characterized by a dark brown
to black pigmentation of the seed coats. In these lines, the tannin levels were found
to generally vary with the intensity of pigmentation, with the darker seed coats
generally giving higher levels of tannins. The flower colour in L. sativus is generally
highly correlated with the seed colour: the blue, pink or red flowers usually
producing speckled, coloured seeds, whereas the white flowers are associated with
white to creamy yellow seeds. Breeding and selecting for flower colour should
therefore be useful in developing lines with low levels of condensed tannins and
phenolics in L. sativus.

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 17
The trypsin inihibitor activity (TIA) and chymotrypsum inhibitor activity
(CIA) varied within narrow ranges in a study on 100 genotypes (Deshpande and
Campbell 1992). The mean TIA and CIA values were, respectively, 155 x 103 and
10 x 10
3
units/g of seed. Although TIA was detected in all the genotypes studied,
three genotypes were devoid of any CIA. It was interesting that unlike most other
food legumes which show an equal if not greater distribution of Bowman-Birk
double-headed type inhibitors capable of inhibiting both trypsin and chymotrypsin
simultaneously (Deshpande and Damodaran 1990), all the grass pea genotypes
studied were characterized by very high levels of TIA. This also suggests the
possibility of this legume predominantly containing mostly the Kunitz type single-
headed trypsin inhibitor. The only studies in the literature on the purification and
characterization of L. sativus trypsin inhibitor have shown it to be a protein of
apparent molecular mass 22 000 (Roy and Rao 1971; Roy 1972, 1980). It comprised
five protein components (‘isoinhibitors’) of identical isoelectric points and
contained 203 to 212 amino acid residues. Their amino acid composition and
molecular weights also suggest that they are of the Kunitz class of trypsin
inhibitors. Since Kunitz trypsin inhibitors are generally absent from many
agriculturally important members of the legumes such as Phaseolus, Pisum and Vigna
(Deshpande and Damodaran 1990), L. sativus appears to be an exception to this
general rule. The higher TIA, compared with the CIA, of chickling vetch genotypes
clearly distinguishes this food legume from the rest, in having a higher content of
Bowman-Birk double-headed inhibitors capable of strongly inhibiting both trypsin
and chymotrypsin. In evaluation of 36 lines of L. sativus (Aletor et al. 1994) at
18.16±2.36 g/kg DM was found to be similar to that found in L. ochrus and about
twice the levels found in L. cicera.
The correlation coefficients between different antinutrients were determined.
The total phenolics and condensed tannins were positively correlated with the
enzyme inhibitory activities of grass pea genotypes. Therefore the selection of
white-flowered and white-seeded types could aid in the development of grass pea
lines that are low in or devoid of these antinutritional factors.
4.3 Nitrogen fixation
As grass pea is a legume crop and fixes atmospheric nitrogen, it is utilized in many
production areas to aid the main economic crop. In many cases grass pea is
produced in the farming system before the rice crop or alternately with a rice crop.
The growers feel that the nitrogen fixed by the grass pea crop produces higher
yields not only for the crop itself but also for the succeeding crop. Therefore the
crop fits very well into a long-term sustainable farming system.

1 8 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
5 Uses
The grass pea is an annual legume commonly grown for its grain, but also used for
fodder or green manure. The vegetative types are utilized in the production of
fodder or forage for animals (Fig. 3).
5.1 Forage and animal feed
The young plants are used as a fodder for cattle or for grazing, as in Bangladesh.
Normally, the fields are allowed to be strip-grazed by cattle before the crop is
allowed to regrow and then harvested for seed. Lathyrus has great potential as a
fodder crop. Gowda and Kaul (1982) reported that in studies at BARI, Joydepur,
fodder yields of 7-10 t/ha were obtained in intercropping with maize, without
affecting the grain yield of the maize.
The growth and seasonal quality of L. sativus and some related species have
been studied by Abd El Moneim and Khair (1989). Rihawi et al. (1984) noted changes
in the potential nutrient efficiency of different legumes, including L. sativus at
different stages of maturity. The stems and chaff remaining after harvest is often
the most important factor for
producing the crop in South East Asia.
The plants are normally pulled while
they are still green but after the pods
have filled. This allows maximum
food value to remain in the biomass
and at the same time produces good
seed yields.
In surveys of growers in India it is
often found that the animal feed value
of the crop is more important than
that for human food in determining
the production of this crop. This also
has been found true in the Sind
province of Pakistan where it is
estimated that 60% of the crop is used
for forage; of the harvested portion,
60% of the seed is used for animal feed
and 40% for human consumption or
sale (Khawaja, pers. comm.). Often
the feed is comprised of ground or
split grain or flour and is used as feed
for lactating cattle or for bullocks at
the time of heavy field use such as
during land preparation.
Fig. 3. The author displaying forage type of
Lathyrus sativus
.

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 19
The nutritional value of low lathyrogenic grass pea for growing chicks (Rotter
et al. 1991) has been reported. As well there has been evaluation of L. sativus as an
ingredient in pig starter and grower diets (Castell et al. 1994).
5.2 Human consumption
Different seed coat colours might be preferred in different regions according to
tradition and use of the crop. The seed coat colour can also affect the nutritional
value of the seed. Condensed tannin levels were found to be positively correlated
with seed coat pigmentation, with coloured genotypes containing greater levels of
tannin (Deshpande and Campbell 1992). The genetics of flower and seed coat
colour are now starting to be understood in grass pea (Tiwari and Campbell 1996).
In India, the grains are sometimes boiled whole, but are most often processed
through a dal mill to obtain split dal. Dal, a soup-like dish, is the most common
method of retailing the crop in the Indian subcontinent (Pandey, pers. comm.). The
flour, made from grinding either the whole or split seed, is sold as basan. In many
parts of Bangladesh, roti (unleavened bread) made out of grass pea flour is a staple
for the landless labourers. More recently the dal or basan has been used to adulterate
pigeonpea dal and chickpea basan as these crops demand a higher price on the
market (Rahman, pers. comm.).
In Nepal the dried grains are split either in a stone grinder on a home scale or
milled to make dal which is consumed with rice. The grains are also ground and
made into flour for use in a pancake-like preparation of badi or pakoda (Yadov, pers.
comm.). Grass pea flour increasingly is being used to adulterate the higher-priced
legume flours such as chickpea and mungbean.
In Ethiopia, particularly the northern regions, and in Eritrea tef, wheat, barley,
maize and sorghum, either singly or in combination, are used to produce a
fermented, sour pancake-like unleavened bread called enjera. Lathyrus grain is
ground into shiro and is used in the preparation of wott, a sauce that is eaten together
with the enjera. For snacks, cereals, legumes or their mixture are most often
consumed roasted or boiled. Boiled grass pea (nifro) is consumed in most areas.
Kitta, an unleavened bread made from grass pea, is consumed to a more limited
extent, mainly at times of acute food shortages (Tekele-Haimanot et al. 1993).
During the month of February in South East Asia the tender young vegetative
parts are plucked (4-6 cm length) and cooked as a green vegetable. They are also
rolled and dried for off-season use as a vegetable (Bharati and Neupane, 1989). The
green pods and seeds are eaten directly or the whole pods are cooked and eaten
as a vegetable. This augments the supply of fresh vegetables available at this time
of year. The remaining plant is then allowed to grow and is harvested for seed.
The young pods are boiled, salted and sold or consumed as a snack. This can
be seen in many of the grass pea growing areas of India, Bangladesh and Pakistan
where vendors are found on street corners or at public transportation areas during
the season. The snacks are said to be very tasty and are prized for this feature.

2 0 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
5.3 Second and low-input crop
The grass pea is utilized in many areas of South East Asia as a ‘utera’ crop. The seeds
are broadcast into a standing rice crop. When the water is drained to allow for
harvesting of the rice, the seeds germinate and the crop utilizes the remaining
moisture for growth. Normally the smaller-seeded type lines are utilized as the
growers believe that they will remain dormant longer under flooded conditions
and give better germination when the water is drained.
In many areas of South East Asia and China where grass pea production occurs
the crops are either grown under ‘utera’ conditions and utilize remnant water or
are sown on rain-fed areas where they must exist on minimum moisture until
harvest. The crops normally are considered to require low or zero inputs and
therefore not only utilize remnant water but also must utilize remnant soil
nutrients. As many of these soils are deficient in zinc this aspect requires further
study to determine the effects on the crop.

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 21
6 Genetic resources
6.1 Range of diversity of major characteristics and geographic trends
There have been a number of evaluations of L. sativus germplasm to study the
variation in it and related or wild species (Jackson and Yunus 1984; Hanbury et al.
1995). There also have been evaluations of the nutritional value (Dutta et al. 1982;
Deshpande and Campbell 1992), of which several have focused on the forage,
fodder or feed value (Ghobrial et al. 1983; Somaroo 1988; Abd El Moneim et al. 1990;
Keatinge et al. 1991). Several of these compare L. sativus collected locally with
collections from other areas. It should be noted that in some of the studies only one
or two lines have originated from a given country while a large number of lines
have been evaluated from another area or country. While these evaluations provide
very important data on the geographic variability that exists one must also be aware
that a single line may or may not be representative of an area and therefore exercise
caution about the conclusions that are drawn. There are, however, many general
trends that are evident and that do demonstrate the existing variability.
Days to 50% flowering
There exists a wide range of days to 50% flowering as can been seen in India (Table
2) where it ranged from 47 to 94. The small-seeded lakhori types are usually much
earlier flowering than the large-seeded lakh types. Hanbury et al. (1995) also
reported a wide range from 76 to 123 days of 451 lines collected from a large number
of areas. Sarwar et al. (1995b) reported a range of 43 to 88 in 1072 accessions
collected in Bangladesh. In Canada this trend also has been found with collections
from Europe, compared with South East Asian types; the larger-seeded European
collections are much later to flower.
Days to maturity
In India days to maturity ranged from 86 to 127 (Table 2). This trend follows that
of days to 50% flowering where the smaller-seeded types are usually earlier
maturing. Assessment of 732 lines in Canada gave a range of 97 to 121 days (Table
3) which was similar to that found in India. In Australia, Hanbury et al. (1995) found
a range of 137 to 148 days with maturity being rated as when the pods had all turned
a golden brown and the leaves were still on the plant. Many of the lines grown in
this study were from Bangladesh and would be expected to mature during a similar
time frame as those from India. This indicates the environmental influence on this
character and the need to evaluate germplasm under conditions that are very
similar to those where the crop is to be produced.
Plant height
Plant height has been found to vary greatly. In India it varied from 15 to 68 cm
(Table 2) while in Canada it ranged from 24.5 to 172 cm (Table 3). The small-seeded
types were the shortest in plant growth in both studies. This trend also appears to

2 2 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
be true if small-seeded lines from India, Bangladesh or Pakistan are grown in
Canada and compared with accessions from Europe or the Middle East. The larger-
seeded lines from Europe and the Mediterranean region usually produce taller
plants with larger biomass than lines from South East Asia.
Table 2.Variation for agronomic characters in grass pea germplasm (n=1187)
collected in Madhya Pradesh, India
Range
Descriptors Mean Min. Max. CV (%)
Days to 50% flowering 62.20 47 94 12.108
Days to maturity 107.71 86 127 4.753
Plant height (cm) 33.93 15.4 68.4 23.172
Branches/plant 9.26 1.8 28.4 33.657
Pods/plant 19.38 2.4 59 45.775
Pod length (cm) 2.97 1.88 5.18 11.587
Pod width (cm) 0.88 0.26 1.3 11.013
Seeds/pod 3.27 1.6 4.6 12.756
Seeds/plant 54.70 6.2 200 50.159
Seed index (g) 6.27 2.21 19.5 29.676
Biological yield (g) 8.31 0.4 51 55.933
Yield/plant (g) 3.78 0.62 19.81 59.832
ODAP (%) 0.438 0.128 0.872 38.527
Source: Dr R.L. Pandey, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, MP, India.
Table 3.Evaluation of grass pea germplasm (n=732 ) at Morden, Manitoba, Canada in
1994
Descriptor Min. Max. Mean
Days to maturity 97 121 110.5
Plant height (cm) 24.5 172 108.4
Pod length (cm) 1.7 5.6 3.2
Seeds per pod 1.0 4.3 2.8
1000-seed weight (g) 56 288 145.4
Litre weight (g/L) 612.2 828.6 761.3

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 23
Branches per plant
There is a very large range in the number of branches per plant. Pandey (Table 2)
reports that at Raipur they varied from 1.8 to 28.4. It has been found in Canada that
this feature can range as high as 40 branches per plant. In direct contrast Mehra et
al. (1995) reports on evaluation of exotic germplasm. Accessions from France had
5.2 primary branches while those from Bangladesh had 5.7, those from Ethiopia had
5.0, those from Cyprus had 5.5, those from Afghanistan had 5.0, those from
Germany had 5.0, and those from the previous USSR had 5.5. These, however, were
rated as primary branches and may differ from the above ratings. In most studies
there is a high correlation of branches per plant and grain yield. This feature is a
very important one. Unfortunately there has not been enough evaluation of this
character to demonstrate geographical distribution of the trait.
Pods per plant
This character varies in India from 2.4 to 59 (Table 2). There is a direct association
with branches per plant with more branching plants having higher pod numbers.
The larger-seeded types also have more pods per plant as they normally have
increased pant height. Therefore, there exists a correlation between large seeds,
pods per plant and plant height. This is normally also associated with later maturity
and increased plant biomass. Further assessment of lines having these
characteristics is required, especially for those crop improvement programmes that
are concerned with increased herbage production.
In Nepal Yadov (1995) reported that pods per plant varied from 13 to 59 with
a mean of 36 when 72 local germplasm accessions were evaluated. Thus this
character shows a large range of variation.
General and specific combining abilities have been estimated in grass pea for
pods per plant, 100-seed weight, seeds per pod, grain yield per plant and ODAP
content (Dahiya and Jeswani 1974). It was generally found that nonadditive gene
action was predominant in both the F
1
and the F
2
.
Pod length
Pod length in Canada varied from 1.7 to 5.6 cm (Table 3); in India Pandey found a
variation from 1.88 to 5.18 cm (Table 2). While this is a very close comparison it
should be noted that the European lines in the Canadian study had the same pod
length as the smaller-seeded lines in the study in India. Therefore, the smaller-
seeded lines from India (having more seeds per pod than the European lines)
appear to produce pods with equivalent lengths. This is also indicated in
evaluations by Mehra et al. (1995) where they report pod lengths of 2.92 to 3.05 cm
from 223 accessions that were evaluated. They also report that 48 accessions from
Syria had pod lengths ranging from 3.6 to 4.0 cm while 12 accessions from Canada
ranged from 3.08 to 4.0 cm in length. It would be very interesting to study this
aspect in further depth with increased number of seeds per pod in larger-seeded
types. Evaluation of existing germplasm collections might yield lines with

2 4 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
increased pod length combined with large seed size which might be desirable for
crop improvement programmes desiring to increase yield and seed size at the same
time.
Seeds per pod
In Canada seeds per pod varied from 1 to 4.3 (Table 3) while in India they were
found to range from 1.6 to 4.6 (Table 2). The small-seeded lines normally had a
higher number of seeds per pod than did the large-seeded lines evaluated in
Canada. Results reported from Nepal (Yadov 1995) show a range of 2 to 5 seeds.
Although the results are similar they were not expected, as the European lines
normally have fewer seeds per pod than those from South East Asia. It would
appear that this characteristic requires more detailed examination as seeds per pod
normally has a high correlation with yield. As increased seed size usually is also
highly correlated with higher yield, plant breeders might want to consider
increasing seeds per pods in larger-seeded types as an effective means of increasing
yield.
Biological yield
In many parts of the world there is a shortage of feed and fodder for livestock. This
is especially true for many arid regions were grass pea is grown. In many cases the
value of the fodder equals or exceeds that of the grain produced. Pandey reports
a range from 0.4 to 51 g (Table 2) which clearly demonstrates a large variation in
this character which can be utilized by breeders interested in improving feed or
forage production. Somaroo (1988) states that dry matter yield per hectare was
found to be 5707 kg in 1980 and 2624 kg in 1981 at ICARDA. This compared with
a seed yield of 1802 kg/ha in 1980 and 698 in 1981. Syouf (1995) reports on an
evaluation of dry matter yield of eight forage legumes in Jordan in which two lines
of L. sativus ranged from 425 to 1390 kg/ha. He states that evaluations have shown
that Lathyrus species were among the most promising ones in the ICARDA
programme. The highest-yielding forage species, however, was L. ochrus.
Robertson and Abd El Moneim (1995) reported on the evaluation of 272
accessions at Tel Hadya, Syria in 1992-93. The biomass yield ranged from 516 to
5200 kg/ha with a mean of 2167 kg/ha. The straw yield ranged from 440 to 3861
kg/ha with a mean of 1720 kg/ha. This compared with a seed yield of 29-1406 kg/
ha with a mean of 445 kg/ha.
1000-seed weight
In Australia, Hanbury et al. (1995) reported that a range of 190 to 220 g/1000 seeds
was found when 451 lines were evaluated during 1994. The smallest seeded lines
originated from Bangladesh with the largest being from Cyprus, Germany, Tunisia,
Hungary, Greece and Czechoslovakia. Sarwara et al. (1995b) reported that they
found a range from 29.5 to 67.6 g/1000 seeds in Bangladesh. Robertson and Abd
El Moneim (1995) found a range of 34.5 to 225.9 g for 272 accessions, with a mean

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 25
weight of 86.8 g. In an assessment in Canada, seed size varied from 56 to 288 g/
1000 seeds (Table 3, Fig. 4) with the smallest-seeded lines originating from South
East Asia. Although seed size appears to be larger for some of the same lines when
grown under Canadian conditions the same trend appears to exist, especially with
the ICARDA evaluations. This wide variation in seed size should be of value to the
breeder as Hanbury et al. (1995) found there was a correlation between seed size
and yield. There was also a correlation between seed size and vigour, an aspect that
is important in stand development as well as in herbage production.
It has been indicated by many studies that the larger-seeded types of grass pea
and those having a larger amount of vegetative material are found around the
Mediterranean region. Hammer et al. (1989) found material with an exceptionally
high 1000-seed weight in south Italy. The small-seeded types have been found in
the Indian subcontinent. The small-seeded lines of the Indian subcontinent usually
have a tendency for seed shattering caused by the early splitting of the pod down
its ventral rib before the pod matures. Many of the lines from Europe do not have
this characteristic that is undesirable in most situations. However, if the plants are
being used for grazing purposes this feature might be desirable as it does result in
the self seeding of the plants.
Seed density
Although seed density has not been evaluated in many studies, in Canada it was
found to vary from 612.2 to 828.8 g/L (Table 3). Although this shows fairly large
variation it is not of the magnitude of that found in 1000-seed weight. No trends
Fig. 4. Seed variation in
Lathyrus sativus
.

2 6 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
of this characteristic are known to exist, mainly owing to limited evaluation of
germplasm.
Flower colour
The flower colour in L. sativus can be blue, pink, red, white or various combinations
of these colours. As pointed out by Smartt (1984) the white-flowered types are
generally found in the Mediterranean region with the blue-flowered types being
found as you progress towards South East Asia. In India, Nepal and Pakistan the
flower colour is blue with a very few plants having red flowers. In Bangladesh this
also holds true except a few plants can also be found with pink flowers. In France
many of the plants have white flowers as well as blue. As the flower colour is closely
correlated to seed coat colour with white flowers producing white seeds and
coloured flowers producing coloured seeds, flower colour is a very useful character
that can be used by breeders in selection for this character. As the amount of tannins
in the seed is highly correlated with seed coat colour – with white giving low levels
(Deshpande and Campbell 1992) – this character becomes very important. Grass
pea types with white or cream seeds are often found in European accessions;
however these traits are rarely found in accessions from Ethiopia or from the Indian
subcontinent.
Insect resistance
There has been little work reported on the resistance of grass pea to various insect
pests. Certainly more effort is required in this area in the improvement of this very
hardy pulse crop.
In India some 1200 lines have been screened against thrips. Although none has
been found resistant against this pest yet, 12 accessions showed a degree of
tolerance having a score of 5 against 9 for susceptible genotypes: RLK-264, 117, 539,
557, 617, 6802, 33333, RLS-2, RPL-26, JRL-31, KHB-19, RLK-273-1, RL-273-3 and
ST.\white-14 (Pandey et al. 1995; Pandey, pers. comm.).
At ICARDA, resistant genotypes for cyst nematode (Heterodera ciceri) and root
knot nematode (Meloidogyne artiella) have been identified. However, the severity
of infection and occurrence of these pests are not presently well documented.
Disease resistance
L
ines showing moderate resistance to powdery mildew have been identified in India (Lal
et al. 1985). At Raipur, the lines RPLK 26 and RL 41 have been found to be tolerant to powdery
mildew. In addition 86 lines from local germplasm collected from around Raipur, India
have shown resistance to downy mildew (Agrawal, pers. comm.). Efforts are underway in
India to transfer the powdery mildew resistance to higher-yielding, more adapted lines. In
Syria L. sativus lines that were moderately resistant to powdery mildew (Erysiphe pisi)
have been identified. Lines in India have been identified that were free from infection by
downy mildew in a 3-year evaluation under conditions of heavy natural infection
(Narsinghani and Kumar 1979).

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 27
Germplasm screening is being done to select pure lines or to find donors for
resistance against this pathogen. Unfortunately, resistant genes have not been
found in the available germplasm. However, it was noted that some landraces
appear to have some ability to escape this disease. Promising lines having
tolerance/escape were reported as RLS-1, RLS-2, JRS-115, JRL-43, and JRL-16
(Pandey, pers. comm.). It is interesting that he reports resistance of Lathyrus aphaca
against powdery mildew.
In screening of 96 lines Mishra et al. (1986) found 8 lines that were highly
resistant or immune to Cercospora pisi sativae f. sp. lathyri Misha. Six lines were
resistant, 40 moderately resistant and the remainder highly susceptible.
Neurotoxin
The ODAP levels in the collection varied from 0.22 to 7.20 g/kg. Among a total of
18 lines that contained less than 1.0 g/kg ODAP, nine had levels of less than 0.5 g/
kg. In contrast, 24 lines had ODAP levels over 4 g/kg with the rest having
intermediate levels. Thus a large range of variability in ODAP can exist in
germplasm collection of grass pea. It should, however, be noted that ODAP levels
are influenced by the environment, growing conditions and locality (Leakey 1979).
Lines totally lacking in ODAP have not yet been identified in present breeding
programmes, but there have been several reports of levels as low as 0.01% from
Canada, ICARDA and Ethiopia. The biosynthesis of ODAP in grass pea has only
recently been elucidated (Lambein et al. 1990). Thus development of safer cultivars
of L. sativus will likely continue to be dependent in some degree on the development
of genotypes that express low levels of ODAP in given environments.
6.2 Evaluations
In the littoral zone of Morocco, Villax (1963) reported that the variety Favetta
performed well among varieties introduced from Greece, Libya and Portugal. In
Cyprus, Soadou (1959) reported that among 4 local varieties and 23 introductions
from Algeria, Australia, Egypt, Greece, Libya, Portugal and Turkey of L. sativus, L.
cicera and L. ochrus, a variety of L. sativus from Greece outyielded other
introductions and was more leafy. In Turkey Hertzsche (1970) recorded that 9
ecotypes of L. sativus have been collected from different regions in Turkey during
the period 1965-69 and assembled on the west coast of Izmir. The seed yields of
21 L. sativus lines were found to differ significantly, ranging between 1201 and 1889
kg/ha in winter and between 1104 and 2167 kg/ha in spring trials at Diyarbakir,
Turkey (Düsünceli 1993). In contrast the seed yields of L. cicera varied significantly,
between 458 and 1354 and 938 and 1438 kg/ha in winter and spring respectively.
He found that although there was a significant variation in response of the lines in
winter and spring sowing, most of the L. sativus lines gave better seed yields when
sown in winter than in spring, while most of the L. cicera lines gave better yield in
spring sowing. Herbage and biomass yields varied from 21 140 to 26 940 kg/ha and
5422 to 8098 kg/ha respectively in L. sativus, showing the large potential for forage
production by this species.

2 8 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
In Jordan, Hopkinson (1975) recorded that a variety of L. sativus from Cyprus
performed well, while in Syria Van der Veen (1967) stated that two varieties from
Cyrus have proven well adapted. In northern Iraq a local variety of L. sativus was
cultivated extensively in some areas, while a variety introduced from Turkey
proved to be more productive and cold tolerant than the local variety in small
adaptability tests at Mosul (Kernick 1976).
In Nepal a collection of 87 local germplasm has been evaluated and compared
with 10 exotic lines. The local lines were higher in yield, had more seeds per pod
and earlier maturity than the imported lines (Yadov, pers. comm.). Early and final
stand counts were also found to be higher in the local material. The exotic lines had
a larger seed size – 10.2-11.0 g/100 seeds – compared with 4.7-5.3 g/100 seeds in
local material. A summary of the agronomic characteristics examined has shown a
wide range of variability, especially in plant height and pods per plant. In 1987 a
total of 72 local collections was evaluated at Rapmpur (Yadov 1995). Days to flower
varied from 68 to 94 with a mean of 85. Days to maturity ranged from 125 to 139
with a mean of 135. Plant height had a mean of 71 cm and ranged from 46 to 106
cm. The number of pods per plant varied considerably, from 13 to 59 with a mean
of 36.
In Bangladesh during 1993-94 the collections that had been made from the
Rajshahi Division and the coastal areas were evaluated at BARI (Sarwar et al. 1995a).
Days to flowering varied from 57 to 91 while days to maturity varied from 117 to
128. Pod length ranged from 2.7 to 3.5 cm and seeds per pod varied from 3.0 to 5.3.
Yield was found to vary considerably – from 960 to 2502 kg/ha. ODAP content of
the seed ranged from 0.04 to 0.75% with a mean of 0.32%.
An evaluation of 1187 lines collected in India identified variation in maturity,
seeds per pod and many other agronomic characteristics (Table 2).
In Chile through a field trial using five dates and three sowing densities of a
heterogeneous grass pea population, different parameters related to yield were
evaluated. The respective correlations also were calculated and a path coefficient
analysis was done on yield and its components. Results indicated that the best
sowing dates were at the end of winter and that sowing delays reduced yields
significantly. No significant differences were found among seeding rates of 140, 210
and 280 kg of seed per hectare. Yields reached with the three densities were over
3000 kg/ha, and in some cases surpassing 4000 kg/ha. Characterization of the yield
parameters indicated that yield per plant, seeds per plant and pods per plant (X)
are the most variable. Branches per plant and seeds per pod (Y) have less variability
and average seed weight (Z) has the lowest phenotypic and genotypic variation.
Correlation analysis indicated the existence of a high degree of association between
yield per plant and pods per plant (X), and also between yield and seeds per plant
and branches per plant. Seed sowing density, on the other hand, appears negatively
correlated with branches per plant and pods per plant (X). The path coefficient
analysis between yield per plant and its components (X, Y and Z) indicated that
pods per plants (X) had the greatest direct effect over yield and consequently it

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 29
would be the most important factor in a selection process within the species.
In China among the 16 species that have been found, L. sativus, owing to its
drought resistance and high protein content in seeds, has been extensively
cultivated in the northwest part of China since the 1960s. Until the early 1970s, the
production area of L. sativus in the Gansu Province reached over 20 000 ha. It was
used as a natural fertilizer (green fertilizer) and forage, and in some places also as
one of the constituents in human diets, especially when the cereal crop failed. In
1973, the consumption of L. sativus was directly attributed to an epidemic outbreak
of lathyrism. This has become a matter of public concern and of subsequent action
to prohibit cultivation of what would otherwise be a valuable crop. The major
result of this work during the past two decades is that four lines of L. sativus with
relatively low toxin content and good agronomic characteristics have been
screened out from 73 varieties with an ODAP seed content ranging from 0.075 to
a highly toxic 0.993%. The average protein content of these lines was 23-25%. These
low-toxin lines have been stable over several years. Toxicological tests of lines from
the Wuwei District of Gansu Province have shown that they were safe when fed to
animals. Neither acute nor chronic lathyrism was found when donkeys, pigs and
sheep were fed with seeds of these lines constituting 50-80% of the daily intake for
180-250 days (Chen, unpublished).
6.3 Collections
A listing of plant genetic resources collections is given in Table 4. Although this
listing gives the main collections of L. sativus and the related species L. cicera, it is
not complete. One of the outcomes of the workshop on L. sativus held at Raipur in
1995 was to develop a network that would focus on the development of a database
of present collections. This is urgently required and will be instrumental in the
development of a long term strategy for germplasm conservation for this species.
A brief outline of several collections and their contents are given below.
Bangladesh
In Bangladesh the first systematic collections of grass pea were made in 1979 in
collaboration with ICRISAT. During 1980 and 1981 additional collections were
made financed by FAO. Unfortunately the major part of these collections was either
damaged or lost because of lack of proper storage facilities (Sarwar et al. 1995a).
In 1992 and 1994 the Pulses Centre, in collaboration with the Department of
Agricultural Extension, collected 2078 accessions from 55 districts of Bangladesh.
Of these, 1072 accessions were evaluated at the Central Experimental Station Farm,
Gazipur in 1993 with an additional 788 accessions being evaluated in 1994. The
germplasm that was collected is being safety-duplicated at ICARDA and CLIMA.
To date, 1153 and 200 accessions have been sent to ICARDA and CLIMA,
respectively. The evaluation included days to first flowering, days to 50%
flowering, days to maturity, pod length, seeds per pod, ODAP content and yield

3 0 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
(Sarwar et al. 1995a). It is interesting to note that seeds collected in the drought-
prone areas away from the coast were larger in size than seeds collected from the
coastal areas. This was thought to be due to the environment of these two areas
(Sarwar et al. 1993). In 1993 all 1072 accessions were found to be blue flowered;
however, a lot of flower mutants were identified in the collection. These included
Table 4. Institutions with collections of
Lathyrus sativus
(>10 accessions) and
Lathyrus cicera
Country/Institution†
L. sativus L. cicera
Australia 583 141
Bangladesh 584
Canada Plant Genetic Resources of Canada, Ottawa 113 30
Crop Diversification Centre, Morden 776 34
Chile 74
China 43 13
Cyprus 19
Ethiopia Biodiversity Institute 206
ILRI 12 4
France 1807 509
Germany 170 63
Greece 15 13
India Raipur 2659
NBPGR 1119
Italy 129‡
Nepal 99
Pakistan 666
Poland 74 0
Russia 723§
Spain Centro de Recursos Fitogeneticos 59 114
Banco del Germoplasma de Leguminosas - Grano 27 24
Syria ICARDA 1560 185
Scientific Agriculture and Research Directorate 85
Turkey 2¶ 37
UK 142 102
USA North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station 181
Western Regional Plant Introduction Station 206 38
Source: FAO - World Information and Early Warning System on PGR, Frison and Serwinski (1995)
and information collected by the author. † For full addresses see Appendix I. ‡ Wild/weedy
species from Italy. § Various
Lathyrus
spp. ¶ Wild/weedy species from Turkey.

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 31
white, pink, deep pink, red, light violet, reddish blue, pinkish blue and light blue.
It was thought probable that these arose from the blue flower colour and were
alleles, suggesting that flower colour might be governed by multiple alleles.
Canada
The Agriculture and Agri-food, Research Centre, Morden, Manitoba has 776
accessions of L. sativus and 34 of L. cicera in storage at 3°C and 20% RH. These have
been evaluated for all the descriptors as set out by the ‘International Network for
the Improvement of L. sativus and the Eradication of Lathyrism’ (INILSEL) (Fig. 5).
The accessions include a back-up set of 82 accessions from Nepal. The Plant Genetic
Resources of Canada, Ottawa also has 113 accessions of L. sativus and 30 accessions
of L. cicera in long-term storage. All accessions have been evaluated using the list
of descriptors developed by INILSEL.
Chile
The Instituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Castilla, Chile has 74 accessions.
Although a former collection had previously been made of which 56 accessions
were in storage, there was another collection made in 1992. These 74 accessions
were collected in inland and coastal dryland areas between Llicao and San Nicholas
at an altitude of 50 to 230 m asl. These samples were collected in the main area
where L. sativus is grown. However, future collections should take in all the coastal
dryland areas of Chile. The purpose of the collection is to obtain the greatest
Fig. 5. Field evaluation of
Lathyrus sativus
at Morden, Manitoba, Canada.

3 2 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
possible genetic diversity in main characteristics. Accessions are stored in plastic
containers at –4°C and 45% RH. The 74 accessions have been evaluated for time of
flowering, flower colour, plant height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds
per pod, 1000-seed weight, yield, protein content and ODAP concentration. They
are available subject to a previous agreement regarding their use.
China
In China 16 species of Lathyrus have been found: L. caudatus, L. davidii, L. dielsianus,
L. gmlinii, L. humilis, L. japonicus, L. komarovii, L. krylovii, L. odoratus, L. palustris, L.
isiformis, L. pratensis, L. quinquenervius, L. sativus, L. tuberosus and L. vaniotii. Forty-
three samples of L. sativus are conserved at the Institute of Crop Germplasm
Resources.
Ethiopia
In Ethiopia the total holding of Lathyrus is 282 accessions out of a total pulse crop
collection of 4912 accessions on 12 species (Tadesse 1994). Lathyrus ranks fifth
among the pulses in this collection in importance after faba bean, field peas,
chickpea and lentil. These collections are preserved under conditions of –10 and
4°C. The largest collections of Lathyrus have been derived from the traditional field
crop of the country. In some cases the samples do not correspond with the growing
area index (GIA) percentage calculated for the various administrative regions. As
an example, a relatively large number of samples was collected from the Wello area
were the GIA% is low. On the other hand, few samples were collected from
Gondar, which has a higher GIA%. The samples were obtained from a wide
altitudinal range: as low as 1685 m to as high as 2795 m (Tadesse 1994). These
accessions have been evaluated for a large range of agromorphological
characteristics. On the basis of flower colour, which is highly heritable, it is
considered that the northern regions of Ethiopia possess large genetic variation.
There are 206 lines officially in storage at the present time at the Biodiversity
Institute, Addis Abeba. However, unfortunately the documentation of most of
these, which were originally on computer, is now only available manually from the
original documents.
It is quite apparent that there are wide gaps in the collection as it now exists.
To fill this gap, it is suggested that a targeted collecting expedition be undertaken
in collaboration with relevant crop specialists. This operation should focus on both
random sampling and specific traits of interest.
France
The collection at the University of Pau, France has 1807 accessions of L. sativus
originating from: Belgium (3), Bulgaria (13), Czechoslovakia (18), Cyprus (44),
Germany (261), Spain (31), France (487
), Greece (158), Hungary (5), Italy (41), Poland (10),
Portugal (104), Romania (2), former USSR (30), and Ukraine (4). In addition the following
other species are conserved: L. cicera (509 accessions), L.

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 33
heterophyllus (80), L. latifolius (311), L. sylvestris (666) and L. tuberosus. Storage
conditions are at –40°C and 80% RH in unsealed plastic containers. The storage volume
of the room is 5 m3, but Dr Combes reports that there is no room remaining for additional
accessions. The L. sativus accessions have been evaluated for flower and seed coat colour.
India
The first effort to systematically collect the grass pea germplasm in India was in
1967 (Mehra et al. 1995). Approximately 600 accessions were collected and analyzed
for ODAP content. In 1969 subsequent collections were made from Bihar, Eastern
U.P., West Bengal, Gujarat and Haryana. In 1975 IARI scientists collected from the
tribal areas of Bihar. In 19
76 some indigenous accessions were sent to the Lathyrus
Improvement Program at Raipur M.P. from Jawahar Lal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya,
Jabalpur. Later on the Directorate of Pulses Research, Kanpur also supplied some
indigenous materials to this programme. Exotic accessions belonging to Italy, Canada,
Germany, Bangladesh, France and Iowa were also received from NBPGR (National Bureau
of Plant Genetic Resources), New Delhi. During 1989-90 and 1990-91, 1187
landraces of grass pea were collected from the growing regions of Madhya
Pradesh. At the present time 2659 accessions are being maintained at Raipur. A set
of landraces has been stored in the National Genebank at NBPGR, New Delhi.
These have been coded as IC 142554 to IC 143565. Short-term storage facilities have
been developed at the Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur.
The NBPGR was started in 1976 and presently maintains 1119 accessions,
including exotics. Of these, 1061 samples have been conserved as base collections
in the genebank (Singh and Chandel 1995). Approximately 1154 exotic accessions
have been introduced into India during the past decade.
In 1994-95, 283 accessions of L. sativus and five other Lathyrus species (L.
pseudocicera, L. inconspicuus, L. aphaca, L. cicera and L. chrysanthus) were evaluated
at IARI, New Delhi. Evaluations were made on plant height, number of primary
branches, pod length, number of pods per plant, seeds per pod and 1000-seed
weight (Mehra et al. 1995).
Jordan
Collecting missions in 1981, 1989, 1990 and 1993 reported 36 accessions of eight
species of Lathyrus (Syouf 1995), although only one L. sativus accession was
reported. Syouf also reports that 20 Jordanian Lathyrus accessions were evaluated
for 12 descriptors at Tel Hadya, Syria in 1992. These included days to 50%
flowering, days to 90% podding, days to 90% maturity, pods per inflorescence, pod
length, pod width, seeds per pod and 100-seed weight.
Pakistan
The Cytogenetics Laboratory of NARC has 666 accessions in storage. These include
103 accessions from the Sind province. Recently collections have been obtained
from Afghanistan as well to augment the Lathryus Improvement Program.

3 4 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
Ev
aluation of 880 accessions for ODAP content and 590 accessions at seven different
agroclimatic regions in Pakistan has been completed. The Plant Genetic Resource Institute
at the National Agricultural Research Institute, Islamabad has 97 accessions of grass pea
from the Sind province of Pakistan. In addition they have 46 accessions comprised of nine
related species as well as 35 exotic lines (Haqqani and Arshad 1995).
Russia
The N.I. Vavilov Institute of Plant Industry in Saint Petersburg has a total collection
of 723 accessions of Lathyrus species. It is not known, however, how many of these
are of L. sativus or of L. cicera.
Syria
IC
ARDA holds ‘in-trust’ Lathyrus germplasm for more than 45 countries under the
auspices of the FAO (Robertson and El Moneim 1995). The emphasis of the collection is on
the species L. sativus, L. cicera and L. ochrus; however, over 40 other species are also in
storage. The majority of the accessions are from the WANA region. A total of 1560, 185 and
138 accessions are being conserved for L. sativus, L. cicera and L. ochrus respectively.
There are an additional 1056 accessions of the other species. Germplasm has been
evaluated for stress resistance and tolerance to cold, and ODAP content. In 1992-93, 1082
accessions belonging to 30 species were evaluated using 21 descriptors. The complete
results are reported in Robertson and El Moneim (1995).
Turkey
I
n 1987, 1988 and 1995 a total of 449 Lathyrus seed samples were collected in Turkey
(Sabanci 1995). Seventeen accessions were of L. sativus while the remainder were from 31
other species. A complete list of accessions that are available for distribution is given in
Sabanci (1995). He notes, however, that the number of species found in the more recent
collections was about half of that found in 1970, showing the serious erosion that has taken
place in this genera. However, only 185 accessions are stored at the Plant Genetic Resources
Department (Frison and Serwinski 1995).
United Kingdom
The collection at Southampton University also contains a very large number of
accessions of other species of Lathyrus. An effort is being made at the present time
to organize the collections, databases and descriptors for L. sativus as well as for the
other two important species – Lathyrus ochrus and L. cicera. These aspects need to
be addressed as the potential of this crop and related species becomes more
recognized.
6.4 Databases
During the fifth meeting of the working group on forages of the European Cooperative
Programme for Crop Genetic Resources (ECP/GR) it was recommended that a European
Vicieae database be established and managed

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 35
jointly by the University of Southampton, IBEAS, Pau and CNR, Bari. This
recommendation is implemented within the framework of ECP/GR. The responsibility for
updating the database on Lathyrus lies with Daniel Combes, IBEAS, Pau (Gass et al. 1995).
The database was established in 1985 after a colloquium on Lathyrus held in Pau. It
includes two annual species (L. sativus and L. cicera) and four wild or semi-wild perennial
species (L. heterophyllus, L. latifolius, L. sylvestris and L. tuberosus). The total number
of accessions is 4000, out of which 1810 are L. sativus. Countries of origin are mostly
European, but also from North Africa, the Middle East, Ethiopia and India. The database
can be provided to everyone on floppy disk or on paper (see Appendix II for address). It is
also freely accessible through the Internet on the Pau University web site (http://
www.univ-pau.fr) by clicking on ‘La recherche’ and then on ‘Biologie’ (Daniel Combes and
Monique Delbos, pers. comm.). It is also accessible through Dirk Enneking’s CLIMA web
site (http://www.general.uwa.edu.au/u/ enneking/home.html) which contains other
useful information on Lathyrus.
A database of other Lathyrus species is managed by F. Bisby, University of
Southampton (for address see Appendix II). This database contains 1491 entries, covering
approximately 70 species.
6.5 Descriptors
Until now most descriptors that have been used for collections have been passport
descriptors. Those that have been used for the collection at Pau, France have been
recommended by the forages working group of ECP/GR. Unfortunately, many
passport data are missing for most of the accessions, as collecting of accessions was
done generally before any IBPGR/IPGRI recommendations had been established.
Although there are a number of institutions with fairly sizeable collections of
grass pea and related species, nothing really consistent has been done on the
standardization of these descriptors. Ray Clark from NPGS in Washington has
established a quite important list of evaluation descriptors for L. odoratus (sweet
pea). This could constitute a possible base of discussion for the establishment of
such a descriptor list for L. sativus. It contains morphological descriptors as well as
descriptors for resistance/sensitivity to parasites (particularly fungi). It might be
of interest to add a list of enzymatic descriptors, as new data in this area are
beginning to accumulate (Godt and Hamrick 1991; Yunus et al. 1991; Al Kadi 1993).
In a near future one can also imagine descriptors for DNA markers (RFLP, RAPD)
that could be added, as they begin to be studied.
The Germplasm Resources, Crop Improvement and Agronomy Committee of
INILSEL agreed in 1988 to use the following descriptors as the basis for their
collections:
• Days from seeding to 50% flowering of plants
• Anthocyanin present in stem
• Flower colour
• Leaf width (narrow = 0.5 cm, medium = 1 cm, wide = 1.5 cm)
• Seed coat colour

3 6 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
• Days to maturity (from seeding to 90% pods turned brown)
• Plant height (cm)
• Downy mildew severity (0 = none, 10 = severe)
• Pod shattering at maturity (0 = none, 9 = 90-100%)
• Plant type (Indeterminate or determinate)
• Plant habit (1 = erect, 5 = prostrate)
• 1000-seed weight (g)
• Seed density (kg/hl)
• Seeds per pod
• Insect resistance
• ODAP content of seed.
At the IPGRI-ICAR/IGKV regional workshop on Lathyrus genetic resources,
held 27-30 December 1995 at Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishavidyalaya, Raipur, India it
was agreed that a list of minimum descriptors be developed and made available to
cooperators (Arora et al. 1996). A booklet on the list of descriptors for the Lathyrus
genepool, including wild species, will be prepared and published by IPGRI. They
identified the following as Minimal Descriptors for working and long-term
Lathyrus collections:
• Days from seeding to 50% plants with flowers
• Anthocyanin present in stems
• Flower colour
• Leaf width (narrow = 0.5 cm; medium = 1 cm; wide = 1.5 cm)
• Seed coat colour
• Maturity (days from seeding to 90% pods turned brown)
• Plant height (cm)
• Downy mildew severity (0 = none: 9 = severe)
• Pod shattering at maturity
• Plant type (indeterminate or determinate)
• Plant habit (1 = erect; 5 = prostrate)
• 1000-seed weight (gram)
• Seed density (kg/hl)
• Seeds/pod
• Insect resistance
• ODAP content of seed.
A completed list of descriptors will be developed in the near future for this
crop. This is badly needed as the crop’s agronomic and economic importance
becomes more evident and a more organized collecting, evaluation and storage
programme is developed. At the recent workshop at Raipur there was strong
interest in the development of a Lathyrus Resources Network, especially for the
West Asia and North Africa (WANA) and South Asia regions (Arora et al. 1996). The
network will focus on genetic resources, securing present collections and

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 37
identifying what diversity remains uncollected. Dr Arora, IPGRI, India was
named the coordinator. It was agreed that the network would complement the
work being done by INILSEL which has been recently reorganized as ILLRA
(International Lathyrus and Lathyrism Research Association).
6.6 Conservation methods and techniques used
Ex situ
As L. sativus has orthodox seeds the general method of ex situ storage has been
drying to approximately 5% moisture content and storage under refrigeration or
frozed conditions. The methods of storage in the existing collections have,
however, ranged from paper bags to plastic containers to sealed laminated
pouches. Clearly this is an area which deserves more attention and correct practices
have to be implemented by the various storage facilities.
In situ
Alth
ough no in situ conservation of germplasm in the farmers’ fields has been reported,
this aspect received support from the Regional Workshop on Lathyrus Genetic Resources
in Asia held at Raipur, December 27-29 1995. They recommended that some pilot studies
be carried out for in situ conservation (Arora et al. 1996).
6.7 Major gaps in the conservation of the species
Comprehensive collections of L. sativus germplasm have been made in Bangladesh
and in the province of Madhya Pradesh in India. While many other collections have
taken place in other countries, many have not been comprehensive, or did not
include other closely related species or in some cases have been lost after collecting.
There is an urgent need to determine accurately the status of the present collections
and areas which have been adequately sampled. The need for this was expressed
in the recent workshop held at Raipur, India. An internationally coordinated effort
will be required to determine the present status of collection as well as to
coordinate further efforts that are deemed required.
In vast areas of Rissa, Bihar, West Bengal, Eastern Utter Pradesh and the
Himalayan region of India, surveying and collecting of Lathyrus species still has not
been done. The subspecies aphaca and ochrus are found at the present time as weeds
in the areas that have been collected for L. sativus; however, they were not included
in the collections. Possibilities do exist that other species of Lathyrus may exist in
India, especially in the mountainous regions of the country. Davis (1970) reported
on the existence of about 60 species of Lathyrus in Turkey alone, while Maha (1995)
reported nine species of Lathyrus collected from mountainous regions of Jordan. In
India many unexplored areas should be surveyed for the presence of wild relatives
of L. sativus as well as for the major species.
In Spain there are reports of decreased production of both L. sativus and L.
cicera. These species were grown in the more mountainous areas. However, at the

3 8 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
present time they are often found only at the edges of fields or in gardens for
personal use. It appears that there is a very real threat of this germplasm being lost
if a comprehensive collection is not made at the earliest possible time. The status
of local landraces and collections needs to be established for other areas of southern
Europe, including southern France, Greece, Italy and Turkey, as the same threat
may be present for their germplasm.
Only 103 accessions have been collected from the Sind area of Pakistan because
of difficulties involving the security of the collectors. As the Sind province produces
approximately 65% of the Lathyrus grown in Pakistan, this area requires adequate
collecting. Other production areas of Pakistan have not been sampled at the present
time, nor have other related species been determined or collected to any extent.
There appears to be and urgent need to determine the status of the present
collections and to undertake further systematic sampling of the existing
germplasm.
In Nepal only one accession of L. sativus germplasm has been collected. The
Nepalese government banned commercial trade in this crop in 1993. The
production of the crop is expected to decline, thereby putting severe erosion
pressure on existing germplasm. As grass pea is number two in area of production
of pulse crops in Nepal the existing germplasm should be adequately protected
through collecting, evaluation and storage before the expected erosion has had
serious effects on the collectors’ ability to representatively sample the existing
germplasm.
In Ethiopia in 1995, a group of scientists from Ethiopia, CLIMA and ICARDA
collected more accessions from several regions in the country in a joint expedition
but official figures of the accessions have not been released yet. About 300
accessions of grass pea cultivars were collected by breeders at the Adet Research
Center in the dense growing areas of Gojam and Gondar in the 1987 and 1994
cropping seasons. These are not included in collections registered at the
Biodiversity Institute in Addis Abeba. Therefore the exact state of collection,
evaluation and storage for Ethiopia is not clear. This needs to be determined before
long-range plans can be developed for this country.
It is known that production of L. sativus occurs in the provinces of Gansu and
Shaanxi of China where production is increasing. The representation of these areas
in the collection of the Institute of Crop Germplasm Resources must be determined.
ICARDA has the most extensive collection of germplasm for the Mediterranean
region as well as for North Africa (Table 4). This has taken place under their
mandate on forage crops. Although they have been involved in recent collecting
of germplasm from these areas, there still exists a need to adequately sample this
large area.

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 39
7 Breeding
As expressed by Smartt (1984) it is rather puzzling that a crop which has been used
as a pulse for at least 8000 years and is still so used, should have made so little
evolutionary progress as a grain crop during this time. He considers it probable that
the lack of progress as a pulse crop might have been due to its other and possibly more
important use as a forage crop. The selection pressures imposed on forage crops are
in many ways the opposite of those on grain crops. The large seed, an advantage in
grain crops, is not necessary in a forage crop, while the luxuriant vegetative growth,
desirable in a forage, is much less important in a grain crop, especially if it is at the
expense of seed production. These countervailing selection pressures may have
cancelled each other out and maintained the status quo over this long time period.
He points out that this suggests that there may be unrealized potential for the
development of grass pea as a pulse crop. He considers that the development of a
more compact growth habit, combined with some increase in seed size and
elimination of the neurotoxin, could transform this into one of great value in the semi-
arid areas of developing countries.
7.1 Cytogenetics
Chromosomal and cytogenetic studies have shown the genus Lathyrus to be
predominantly diploid with 2n=28 chromosomes. The chromosome numbers of
more than 60 species have been reported with only three species having been shown
to have more than 14 somatic chromosomes. Two species (L. pratensis and L. venosus)
are tetraploid with 2n=28 chromosomes and one species (L. palustris) is hexaploid
with 2n=42 chromosomes. These species have been studied cytologically and have
been shown to be autopolyploids. The occurrence of an autohexaploid is among the
very few examples in the plant kingdom (Khawaja, unpublished). These
autopolyploids are, in reality, cytotypes as diploid forms also occur in nature.
Interest in experimental interspecific hybridization in the genus was shown in
sweet pea (L. odoratus) as early as 1916. Burpee (1916) and others were interested
in trying to introduce genes for yellow flower colour into the cultivated species
from wild relatives in the same genus. Successful interspecific hybridization in the
genus has been shown to be exceedingly rare, as has been found in other genera of
the Leguminosae.
Interspecific hybridization between other species in the genus Lathyrus has
been attempted by many researchers since the report of the successful crossing of
L. hirsutus x L. odoratus by Barker (1916). Most attempts have been failures and even
though many thousand cross-combinations are theoretically possible, only 16 have
been reported as successful. Interspecific hybridization involving L. sativus has
only been reported as successful in two instances. In 1956 Lwin succeeded in
crossing L. cicera with L. sativus; however, this cross has been unsuccessful in
subsequent attempts (Davies 1958; Khawaja 1988). Khawaja (1988) reported that L.
sativus crosses readily with L. amphicarpus when the latter is used as the female. It

4 0 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
also has been noted that in certain cross-combinations fertilization is successful but
the embr
yo aborts during development. The stage of development at which abortion takes
place differs with the cross-combination. Cytological studies of the F
1
hybrids between L.
amphicarpus x L. sativus, L. amphicarpus x L. cicera and L. odoratus x L. chloranthus
were carried out by Khawaja (1988) which showed 50-70% chromosome homology and
pollen fertility in conformity with the meiotic pairing.
From the information available on crossing, fertility and chromosome behaviour of the
hybrids it may be concluded that breeding strategies involving alien genetic transfer for the
improvement of grass pea are possible through the readily crossable species L. amphicarpus.
There also appears to be a high probability of success in obtaining interspecific crosses between
some species that do not cross because of embryo abortion after fertilization through the
utilization of embryo rescue techniques.
Plant regeneration techniques developed by Dr P.K. Roy and Dr Mehta (Mehta et al.
1991) have been successful in regenerating plants from explants derived from stem, leaf and
root tissue. The resulting plants showed a high amount of somaclonal variation in plant
habit. This technique may be successfully exploited in the production of agronomically
desirable types in low ODAP lines and thus provide a faster means of impr
ovement than
that allowed by conventional crossing and backcrossing methods.
7.2 Breeding method
Th
e floral biology of L. sativus is such that it favours self-pollination. However, there have
been indications that some outcrossing occurs in the species, which is dependent on
environmental or genetical factors. The extent of natural outcrossing that can occur in L.
sativus has been a concern of several plant breeders over the past 10 years. Rahman et al.
(1995), in a study using four flower colours for which the genetics were known, found
outcrossing from 9.8 to 27.8%. This was determined by planting red, white and pink (all
recessive to blue) flowered lines and then surrounding them with a blue-flowered line, the
blue flower being dominant. Evaluation of the flower colour of individual plants was used
to compute the outcrossing that occurred between lines based on natural pollinating
mechanisms. It did not attempt to determine the amount of pollination that occurred within
the genotypes.
It is not known if wind or insects are the major vector in the transfer of pollen, which can
rapidly increase the heterogeneity in different populations. In most breeding programmes the
crosses are done under controlled conditions in the greenhouse or under gauze coverings. The
flowers are emasculated by removing the anthers in the late bud stage. The following morning
the styles are fertilized with pollen from a preselected parental plant as soon as possible
following dehiscence of the anthers. The pollen at this time is orange and rapidly becomes
clear as it loses its viability. Although this is a time-consuming process it can rapidly result
in a large number of successful pollinations as several seeds normally develop from each
pollination.
Male sterility has been reported in many plant species but has only been reported to
a limited amount in L. sativus. The first report of male sterility was by Srivastiva and
Somayajulu (1981), in which they found that some plants had reduced stamens and the
anthers did not produce pollen. No seed set was observed on selfing these plants although

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 41
open-pollination gave good seed set. Quader (1987), in a study involving 40 sterile plants
and 40 pollinator lines, found that 26 pollinator lines produced sterile plants. The F
1
showed
complete fertility in four cross combinations and complete sterility in another three cross
combinations. The presence of both cytoplasmic and genetic factors controlling male
sterility was indicated. The rest of the crosses segregated for sterile and fertile plants
. He
concluded that there were both single and double restorer genes.
Crop improvement by mutation breeding
Mutation breeding can be a valuable supplement to conventional plant breeding
methods. It can be used to create additional genetic variability that may be utilized
by the
plant breeder in the development of cultivars for specific purposes or with specific
adaptabilities. Mutation studies on L. sativus have shown that the chemical mutagens
EMS (ethyl methanesulphonate) and NMU (N-nitroso-N-methyl urea) are more efficient
than radiation in the production of chlorophyll mutations (Nerkar 1976). However,
varieties have been found to respond differently to exposure to gamma irradiation (Prassad
and Das 1980a). A wide spectrum of morphological mutations has been found to affect plant
habit, maturity, branching, stem shape, leaf size, stipule shape, flower colour and structure,
pod size, and seed size and colour (Nerkar 1976). Plant habit mutants such as dwarf and
erect, as well as giant forms, also have been induced (Prassad and Das 1980b). There thus
appears to be a large selection of both naturally occurring and induced morphological
characteristics that are available to the plant breeder.
Studies by Singh and Chaturvedi (1986) have shown that at biologically comparable
doses the mutagenic effectiveness was in the order of N-nitroso-N-methyl urea (NMU),
ethyl methane sulphonate (EMS) and gamma-rays and efficiency in the order of Gamma-
rays, EMS and NMU.
An indication that ODAP content might exhibit a simple Mendelian inheritance has
been reported from variation induced in grass pea through both physical and chemical
mutagens (Nerkar 1972). In the segregating M
2
generation in all treatments the distribution
curves showed three distinct peaks which are characteristic of monogenic F
2
segregation.
While these studies report on the formation or development of many mutations it is
not known if they were stored for future utilization. This aspect needs to be addressed as
they are a potential source of additional variation in the species.
7.3 Breeding objectives
Inheritance of ODAP
Genetic detoxification of the toxin ODAP is the most feasible method of producing
a safe crop compared with other physicochemical processing methods that have
been developed (Gowda and Kaul 1982; Smartt et al. 1994). Flower and seed coat
colour could be useful genetic markers for identifying lines with low neurotoxin
content (Dahiya 1976; Kaul et al. 1986; Quader et al. 1986). Flower colour in grass
pea varies from blue to pink, red and white. Grass pea types with blue flowers and

4 2 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
speckled (coloured) seed coat are common in the Indian subcontinent whereas
white flowers with white seed coat are common in the Mediterranean region
(Jackson and Yunus 1984) and in many European lines. Dahiya (1976) reported that
genotypes with light cream colour seed contained low neurotoxin content. But
Quader et al. (1986) reported that white-flowered plants had increased toxin
compared with blue-flowered plants. However, Kaul et al. (1986), in a survey of 127
accessions of grass pea germplasm, did not find any association between flower or
seed coat colour with the neurotoxin content. Although no association exists,
flower colour could be introduced into low or zero neurotoxin lines as a means of
identifying these lines from high neurotoxin lines. It is probable that the
introduction of seed size, seed shape or seed colour could have an effect on
consumer preference for this pulse and would therefore be less desirable.
The ODAP content of Lathyrus has been shown to differ widely both between
accessions and between environments (Ramanujam et al. 1980; Dahiya and Jeswani
1975). Although many attempts have been made to find a correlation between
ODAP content and seed coat or flower colour, the results have either been
conflicting (Dahiya 1985; Quader et al. 1985) or have not been successful (Roy and
Rao 1978). Although a high correlation to a readily identifiable plant characteristic
would allow the characteristic to be used as a rapid selection technique for low
ODAP content, it is not essential. Any rapid and inexpensive method capable of
handling large numbers of progenies in a breeding programme can be utilized for
the identification of low-ODAP segregates.
Germplasm has been collected and evaluated at a large number of sites and
there are numerous reports concerning the evaluation of local germplasm and lines
that were introduced from other areas. In many of these cases they have been
evaluated for both seed and forage purposes and to determine their adaptability.
In most cases the amount of ODAP also was determined.
An indication that ODAP content might exhibit a simple Mendelian inheritance
has been reported from variation induced in Lathyrus through both physical and
chemical mutagens (Nerkar 1972). In the segregating M
2
generation in all
treatments the distribution curves showed three distinct peaks which are
characteristic of monogenic F2 segregation.
In a study done at Morden, Manitoba (Tiwari and Campbell 1996) four low-
ODAP lines were intercrossed (crosses and reciprocals) to evaluate the genetic
basis of low seed ODAP concentration in grass pea. Mean ODAP concentration of
the low lines ranged from 0.338 to 0.677 mg/g of seed. The F
1
progenies of the
crosses LS90235 x L900436, LS82046 x LS90235 and the reciprocals exhibited
heterosis, producing higher seed ODAP concentration than the high parent.
However, high ODAP concentration of the progenies of line LS82046, when this line
was used as the female parent, was associated with a cytoplasmic influence. The
high ODAP values in the F
1
also could be explained by the interaction of different
modifiers or background genes. In general, progenies of the low-ODAP lines did
not segregate for high ODAP concentration, which suggested common genes

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 43
among the low lines in grass pea. The F
2
progenies exhibited a wider variability
than the parental or F
1
generation which suggests the presence of different modifier
genes between the lines. A cytoplasmic influence was detected in two of the low
lines. Line L720060 had progenies that segregated for lower ODAP concentration
when it was used as the female parent compared with using it as the male parent.
Line LS82046, in contrast, produced progeny that segregated for higher ODAP
content when it was utilized as the female parent. Similar to the present
observation, Quader et al. (1987) have postulated ODAP content to be influenced
by cytoplasmic factors.
The four low-ODAP lines were crossed to the high-ODAP line, L880283, to
observe resulting segregation patterns. Mean ODAP concentration of all the low-
ODAP lines was below 0.7 mg/g of seed compared with 2.540 mg/g for the high-
ODAP line. Mean ODAP concentration of the F
1
and F
2
progenies of the low-ODAP
x high-ODAP lines was found to be in the intermediate range. The segregation of
F
2
progenies covered the entire parental range and exhibited higher variability than
both parental and F
1
progenies. Classification of the F
2
data for discrete classes of
low and high ODAP concentration was not possible. In monogenic inheritance, two
distinct groups of low and high ODAP concentration would be expected in a
segregating F
2
population. The continuous variation of ODAP concentration in the
segregating F
2
progenies of all the crosses, together with very close to normal
distribution, indicated that ODAP content was inherited quantitatively. A
significantly higher seed ODAP concentration was detected when the high-ODAP
line L880283 was used as the female parent in some of the crosses, indicating the
presence of a cytoplasmic factor.
Nerkar (1972) reported that ODAP content might exhibit a simple Mendelian
inheritance in a study of variation induced in Lathyrus in segregating M
2
generations. However, variation was continuous in his experiment, although three
peaks were present. The choice of phenotypic class intervals was somewhat
arbitrary in this case. As reported by Quader et al. (1985), variation of the F
2
progenies was continuous although they postulated a simple monogenic
inheritance on the basis of two peaks. Biosynthetic pathways studies by Malathi
et al. (1967) and Lambein et al. (1990) revealed that at least two enzymes were
involved in the synthesis of the neurotoxin. This also suggested that more than one
gene controls ODAP synthesis. Quader et al. (1987) reported the possibility of more
than one gene controlling ODAP content. However, results could easily be
confounded with additive genetic effects influencing a monogenic trait. This could
occur if differences between the parents were small and there was difficulty in
distinguishing a segregating pattern from the normally distributed population of
a quantitative trait. In this investigation, however, contrary to a few reports
suggesting monogenic inheritance of ODAP seed content, it was found to be
quantitatively inherited.
ODAP concentration of grass pea seed was also found to be affected by the
stage of seed development in the pod. Relatively higher amounts of ODAP were

4 4 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
detected from immature shrivelled seeds than from plump seeds from the same
plant. An intermediate level of ODAP was found in average-sized seed. This
observation indicated that ODAP may be synthesized during the early stages of
pod development and the concentration may be diluted as the cotyledon is filled
with starch. Hence, it is important that analysis of ODAP content be conducted on
well-matured pods.
Grain yield
While the problem of ODAP content has been focused on by most plant breeders
there has been increased activity in the past decade on the grain yield of the crop.
Increased yield has been a selection criteria for most crop improvement
programmes. However, some of the yield components that affect yield, such as
double podding or increased seeds per pod (see Fig. 6), have seen few efforts in
a
b
Fig. 6. Two flowers per
node (a) give two pods
per node (b).

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 45
most breeding programmes. This area requires more input to allow the potential
of this very hardy pulse to be more fully exploited.
Herbage yield
The biomass yield of L. sativus has started to receive attention in breeding
programmes only during the past few years, although evaluation of this character
has taken place over the past 30 years. There is active improvement in this aspect
in the ICARDA Lathyrus improvement programme as well as in Canada at Morden,
Manitoba. The aspects of improvement of forage, fodder and straw are presently
hampered by lack of information on nutritional values of these components in
livestock feeding. This area requires more emphasis as Lathyrus has been shown to
have a large potential for forage in the WANA area as well as forage and straw in
the South Asian region.
7.4 Breeding programmes
Most of the reported work on grass pea improvement has been on the reduction
of ODAP content in the seed. Although low lines were identified almost 20 years
ago no concentrated effort was placed on this problem until after 1985. The
Lathyrus Collogue held that year at Pau, France has served as a catalyst in many
ways to focus research on many of the different aspects of grass pea improvement.
The ODAP content of grass pea has been shown to differ widely, both between
accessions and between environments (Dahiya and Jeswani 1975; Ramanujam et al.
1980). The distribution of ODAP content in landraces in several countries is quite
similar (Table 2). Although many attempts have been made to find a correlation
between ODAP content and seed coat colour or flower colour the results have
either been conflicting (Dahiya 1985; Quader et al. 1985) or have not been successful
(Roy and Rao 1978). Although a high correlation to a readily identifiable plant
characteristic would allow the characteristic to be used as a rapid selection
technique for low ODAP content, it is not essential. A rapid and fairly inexpensive
method capable of analysing over 100 samples per day has been developed for a
breeding programme for the identification of low-ODAP segregates (Hussain et al.
1994). This method is based on the method of Briggs et al. (1983).
Genetic improvement work on L. sativus commenced in 1966 at the Jawaharlal
Nehru Agricultural University, Jabalpur with the collecting, maintenance and
evaluation of 503 germplasm accessions (Lal et al. 1985). In 1970, over 1500 samples
of Lathyrus maintained at the IARI at Delhi were screened for ODAP content, with
a few lines having a low content of 0.15-0.3% (Jeswani et al. 1970). It was reported
that in 1971, 1000 samples were screened for ODAP content in a research
programme at IARI. They were found to vary from 0.2 to 2.0% (Leakey 1979). The
distribution of ODAP in different plant tissues also was determined (Mehta et al.
1991). A breeding and selection programme using recurrent mutagenic treatment
was started to produce high-yielding, low-toxin lines of Lathyrus (Swaminathan et
al. 1971).

4 6 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
The Lathyrus improvement programme in India was transferred to the Indira
Gandhi Agricultural University at Raipur where work is continuing on screening
lines for low ODAP content as well as developing lines with specific morphological
characters. Through an active hybridization programme they are transferring low
ODAP content from Canadian lines into adapted, high-yielding material. Recently
the L. sativus breeding programme at IARI has been reactivated with emphasis
being placed on lowering the ODAP content through the use of both hybridization
and somaclonal variation. Kumari and Mehra (1989) have evaluated the genetic
basis of some traits in grass pea. Roy et al. (1993) have reported the findings of
reduced ODAP content in somaclones derived from internode explants of L. sativus.
In Bangladesh, a screening programme was initiated in 1979 to explore the
possibility of isolating toxin-free lines from germplasm systematically collected
from 10 districts (Kaul et al. 1986). The screening of the germplasm continued for
over 5 years. Lines having ODAP contents of as low as 4.5 mg/g of sample to a high
of 14 mg were found, indicating a large variation in ODAP content. Line 3968 was
selected as being significantly low in ODAP, as well as earliest in maturity and the
highest yielder (Anonymous 1980). An ongoing Lathyrus improvement programme
at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute at Joydepur has recently
produced a number of lines having very low ODAP content, ranging as low as
0.03% (Quader, pers. comm.). These lines, however, are not as high yielding as
some of the local accessions. More recently a total of 2078 accessions was
collected(Sarwar et al. 1995a). These accessions are available at the Pulses Research
Centre, Ishurdi and the Genetic Resources Centre of the Bangladesh Agricultural
Institute, Joydepur. In addition, during 1995, in collaboration with ICARDA and
CLIMA a further collecting trip was made that resulted in an additional 62
accessions.
Canadian evaluation of Lathyrus germplasm began in 1967 at the Agriculture
Canada Research Station, Morden. A breeding and improvement programme was
established in 1982 and has resulted in the release of the germplasm LS 8246
(LS82046) having a ODAP content of 0.03% in the seed (Campbell 1987). An
additional two lines containing a factor for low ODAP content have been
developed. These lines – L900239 and L920278 – have been shown to produce low
ODAP content in the seeds when used as parents in crosses. They also appear to
differ in the content of ODAP in the cotyledons and in the seedlings. It is possible
that the amount of ODAP found in the seed of grass pea is dependent not only on
the amount produced in the plant but also on the amount transferred into the
developing seed. Studies are underway to determine the inheritance and mode of
action of the three sources for low ODAP content in the seed. As well the present
objectives of the programme are to transfer these low-ODAP characters into high-
yielding, adapted lines having good agronomic potential. Some of these lines have
been selected for increased seeds per pod and for double pods per node. This
involves hybridization of selected lines with screening and evaluation of the
resulting progenies.

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 47
Grass pea improvement in Nepal commenced with the collecting of 17 lines in
1986 and an additional 89 lines in 1987. These are presently being evaluated for
agronomic characteristics under the Grain Legumes Improvement Program and are
being screened for ODAP content at the Morden Research Station, Canada. High-
yielding accessions have been selected as parental material for a hybridization
programme to develop high-yielding, adapted types with very low or zero ODAP
content in the seed.
Collecting and evaluation of grass pea also has taken place in Ethiopia, with 252
lines of locally collected material being maintained at the Plant Genetic Resource
Centre in Addis Abeba. At least 127 of these line have been evaluated for agronomic
characteristics at the Adet Research Station.
7.5 Improved lines
Attempts to provide growers with varieties with low ODAP content led to the
selection and release in 1973-74 of the variety Pusa-24 by IARI in India (Lal et al.
1985). This variety had been shown to yield as well as some local collections in most
years. Pusa-24 was a very important breakthrough as it clearly demonstrated that
the level of ODAP could be selected against and that lines low in or lacking ODAP
were indeed possible.
In Chile the variety Quila-blanco was developed in 1983 (Tay et al. pers. comm.).
It was selected from the locally grown heterogeneous population and based on a
bulk of six plants. The principal characteristics of this variety are uniform maturity,
large white seeds (1000-seed weight of 287 g) and a protein content of 24.3%.
Line 8612 was released recently in Bangladesh as a low-neurotoxin variety. It
is the first line that was developed specifically for this feature that has been released
although a number of crop improvement programmes have lines in final evaluation
or field trials.

4 8 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
8 Major and minor production areas
Statistics on production of grass pea are not available for all countries where it is
produced (Table 5).
Table 5.Production of grass pea in various countries
Country† Area (1000 ha) Production (1000 t) Yield (kg/ha)
India 1500 800 533
Bangladesh 239 174 728
Pakistan 130 45 346
China 20 – –
† India: Pandey, pers. comm.; Bangladesh: Malek
et al
. (1995); Pakistan: Khawaja
et al
. (1995);
China: Chen, pers. comm.
The major grass pea growing states in India are Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Bihar, Rissa, West Bengal and Eastern Uttar Pradesh. It is grown on an area of
approximately 1.5 million hectares with the annual production of 0.8 million tonnes.
Owing to a ban on its cultivation and trade, exact statistics are not available for this
crop. However, nearly two-thirds of national acreage under grass pea is in
southeastern Madhya Pradesh and in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra (Pandey,
pers. comm.). However, the official statistical report for India lists an area of 783
800 ha, a production of 482 300 t, and a yield of 615 kg per ha in 1992-93 (Ministry
of Agriculture 1993).
Pulses play an important role in the rain-fed cropping systems of Bangladesh.
Among the pulses, khesari (L. sativus) ranks first in area and production and
contributes approximately 35% of the total pulse production for the country. The
productivity is low at 728 kg/ha (Malek et al. 1995).
Grass pea in Pakistan was classed under field pea production for many years
and therefore statistics are incomplete or lacking. The area of production in 1991-
92 was reported at 129 800 ha with a production of 45 400 tonnes with an average
yield of 459 kg/ha (Khawaja et al. 1995)
Approximately 20 000 ha of grass pea were grown in North Gansu province of
China in recent years (Chen, pers. comm.) with a stable yield 20% higher than field
peas (Pisum sativum). This production has increased in spite of human lathyrism
being a serious problem in the province of Gansu in the 1970s. The farmers like the
crop for its usefulness as an animal feed, as a supplement in food processing and
for its nitrogen-fixing capabilities. Although the Ministry of Agriculture of China
once restricted the cultivation of the species, this restriction has now been removed.
Jing-Zhong (1995) reported that 20 000 ha of land was under production in the north
of Shaanxi province.

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 49
Grass pea occupies approximately 8.7% of the total area and 7.6% of the total
production of food legumes in Ethiopia. It is grown in areas with severe natural
production disasters. Grass pea production is mainly concentrated in the
northwest zone (58.04%), the central zone (16.3%) and the northeast (12.8%) and
northern parts of the country (Dibabe et al. 1994). The seed is used for human
consumption and the straw for animal feed
The surface cropped in Italy with L. sativus fell from 9674 ha in 1950 to 160 ha
in 1972; more recent data are not available because the crop was not assessed
because of its economic irrelevance. The regions in which the crop was most
cultivated were Abruzzo, Toscana and Puglia in their less-favoured environments
where it was used for grazing and grain for both human and animal consumption.
There is limited production of grass pea in many other countries in Central,
South and Eastern Europe (from Germany south to Portugal and Spain and east to
the Balkans and S. Russia), and in Crete, Rhodes, Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine,
Egypt, Iraq Afghanistan, and Iran. It is also produced in North Africa, Morocco and
Algeria.

5 0 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
9 Ecology and agronomy
In general grass pea is a crop that grows well under the high temperatures of the
subtropics as a winter crop. It is therefore best adapted to areas with arid or semi-
arid conditions. The crop, under these conditions, is generally sown in October/
November and harvested in March (Sarwar et al. 1995b). Haqqani and Arshad (1995)
state that Lathyrus is a winter season crop adapted to the subtropics or temperate
climates. Usually, when it is grown in more northerly regions it is produced as a
summer crop and thus must mature during the generally cooler autumn weather. In
many cases this produces excessive biomass growth as the plant continues
vegetative growth, usually until freezing terminates growth.
Grass pea is usually grown after a crop of rice in South Asia and is broadcast
into the standing rice crop approximately 2 weeks before harvest. The grass pea
then germinates and grows on the residual moisture. It was also noted in Ethiopia
by Negere and Mariam (1994) that the crop can withstand heavy rains in its early
stage and prolonged drought at maturity and during grain-filling. This
demonstrates a very hardy root system that allows the crop to grow under harsher
conditions than do many other pulse crops.
9.1 Seeding
The production of grass pea in South East Asia has often been observed in marginal
areas that are often waterlogged, lowland, or rice-growing areas and plays an
important role in increasing the cropping intensity. In such areas, farmers cannot
produce a good winter crop of wheat, oilseeds or other winter legumes. It is mostly
sown into almost mature rice fields during November when field moisture is at a
totally saturated condition. Usually the seeds are soaked overnight and mixed
with the fresh cow dung before sowing (broadcasting). Growers appear to be
under the impression that mixing cow dung with the seeds protects the seeds from
birds and insects and also enhances germination.
Grass pea in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan is generally sown at a rate
of 40 kg/ha under ‘utera’ conditions. There is no land preparation as the seeds are
broadcast by hand into standing water in rice fields before the rice is harvested.
When it is sown on rain-fed land the soil is usually prepared by two ploughings by
oxen. The seeds are broadcast and p
lanked about 2 weeks after the first ploughing. In
Ethiopia and Syria the seeding rate can vary from 40 to 60 kg/ha although most of the
preplanting cultivation remains almost the same.
In the Mediterranean region L. sativus, L. cicera and L. ochrus are normally seeded
after the first autumn rains. In Pakistan the crop is normally sown in November and thus
grows through the winter months. It is reported to be relatively tolerant to frost and so can
withstand some freezing temperatures. The plants often form a rosette during this
period but rapidly elongate with the occurrence of warmer weather.
Grass pea in South East Asia is often sown mixed with other crops as an
insurance against adverse weather conditions that might affect growth or yield of
the various crops utilized in the mixture.

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 51
9.2 Weeding
Normally in most growing areas of South East Asia weeds are controlled by hand
weeding. This may or may not be practised as the crop often is considered a low-
input crop with lower returns and therefore weeding may not take place. In
Canada it was shown that L. sativus yields decreased with increasing density of
volunteer wheat or barley (Wall and Campbell 1993). Lathyrus was not competitive
with weeds, especially when moisture was a limiting factor to plant growth.
Herbicides which might safely control annual weed in Lathyrus have been identified
(Wall et al. 1988; Wall and Friesen 1991), but none are currently registered for use
in Canada.
9.3 Pests and diseases
Aphids (e.g. Aphis craccivora) are reported to be a major pest in India, Bangladesh and
Ethiopia. Powdery mildew (Erysiphe polygoni DC) and downy mildew (Peronospora
lathyri-palustris Gaumann) are the two major diseases that infect grass pea. Losses
due to these organisms as well as varietal reaction have not been critically studied.
Powdery mildew (Erysiphe pisi) is an important disease of grass pea in India, causing
economic losses of grain yield. This region has very congenial climatic conditions
for endemic outbreak of this pathogen. Downy mildew is reported as a serious
disease in South East Asia. However, documentation of the occurrence or severity
is scant and therefore more studies are required on this disease. Also, resistance or
tolerance of collections have not been evaluated and should be addressed.
Survey work in 1988 and 1990 in Ethiopia revealed that powdery mildew (E.
polygoni) and rust (Euromyces fabae) were low in incidence (less than 5% of the plants
infected) and light in severity (under 5 in a 1 to 9 scale) on local landraces while
heavy powdery mildew infection with ratings of 8 and 9 was recorded on cultivars
introduced from other countries. In 1989 both powdery mildew and rust infection
were heavier in Woreta district and Meshenti around Bahr Dar. The severity and
incidence of root rot and wilt diseases (Fusarium spp.) ranged between 5-9 and 5-
25%, respectively. It can be concluded from the survey results that powdery
mildew and rust are important diseases of the crop in the northwestern part of
Ethiopia. However, severity varies from season to season.
9.4 Yield
Although the small-seeded types are desired for ‘utera’ production it can be seen
that they are not necessarily higher yielding under these conditions (Table 6). The
amount of seed that is used per area of production does become important as the
small-seeded types need significantly less than do large-seeded types to produce
the same stand. There appears to be a need for further evaluation of lines that
produce higher amounts of biomass under these conditions. Greater biomass
serves two different purposes. It allows for better ground cover, a factor that is
very important in South East Asia as the crop matures into the heat of the spring
season, which aids in protecting the soil from drying out. It also helps maintain

5 2 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
lower soil temperatures, which aids in crop growth. Greater biomass also produces a higher
yield of fodder, which is highly desirable for the growers. Perhaps selection for higher
biomass production while retaining small seed size would be desirable for improvement
of the crop under these conditions. Although generally larger-seeded types have higher
biomass production it has been found under Manitoba conditions that seeds of 1000-seed
weight from 200 to over 300 g produced equivalent biomass (unpublished data) and
therefore the trait can be selected for. Unfortunately, there has been little evaluation of this
character in L. sativus.
Table 6.P
erformance of promising pure lines under ‘utera’ conditions at Raipur, India
Yield (kg/ha )
Genotype 1988-89 1991-92 1992-93 Mean
Lakh (Bold-seeded)
Pusa-24 451 728 845 674
LSD-3 627 539 862 676
JRL-115 429 596 881 635
RLS-1 539 889 921 783
Lakhadi (Small-seeded)
JRL-43 627 380 928 645
JRL-41 605 747 763 705
JRL-16 638 988 638 754
Rewa-2 602 498 870 657
Local 506 456 565 509
Source: Dr R.L. Pandey, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, India.
Table 7.Yield performance of promising pure lines under upland situation with one
irrigation at Raipur, India
Yield ( kg/ha ) ODAP
Lines 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 Mean (%)
JRL-115 1657 1744 1985 1795 0.36
JRLS-1 1534 1778 1913 1742 0.21
JRL-6 1594 1539 1642 1592 0.35
JRL-43 1510 1592 1538 1547 0.38
Pusa-24 1565 1582 1818 1655 0.24
Local check 1255 1225 1475 1318 0.45
Source: Dr R.L. Pandey, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Raipur, MP, India.

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 53
It can be seen that in India there has been significant progress in the
development of lines higher yielding than the check variety Pusa 24 (Table 7). This
germplasm can provide a good basis for the further development of adapted lines
that have very low or zero amounts of the neurotoxin ODAP. The development of
such lines has already been demonstrated in Canada, Bangladesh and Ethiopia.
9.5 Harvest
The leaves turn yellow and the pods turn grey when mature. Pod splitting, which
leads to premature shattering of seeds, is common in small types found on the
Indian subcontinent (Fig. 7). There the plants are pulled out by hand or cut with
a sickle near the base. The plants are then stacked and allowed to dry in the field
or on the threshing floor for 7-8 days. The plants are spread out on the threshing
floor and beaten with sticks. The seeds are more resistant to damage during
harvesting operations than are field peas. It is a common practice to use cattle to
help thresh the pods by trampling. The seed is then winnowed and cleaned. The
seeds may be dried for several days before being stored. The straw and chaff are
used for cattle feed, generally mixed with rice straw. The growers value the straw
as a feed stuff as it is an important source of protein. In many cases the value of the
straw can be as great as that of the grain and thus is a major consideration for the
farmer in the production of this pulse.
Fig. 7. Pod splitting which leads to premature shattering of seeds.

5 4 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
10 Limitations of the crop
The main limitation of grass pea is the neurotoxin ODAP. If the seeds are consumed
as a major part of the diet for an extended period, irreversible crippling can occur.
This will remain a major limiting factor in the production of this valuable crop until
such time as low- or zero-toxin lines are released. However, as there are now
several sources with ODAP levels at 0.01% it would appear that this is no longer
a limitation for most breeding programmes. However, owing to the severity of this
problem most research over the last 25 years has concentrated on this aspect.
Unfortunately this has resulted in many other areas of evaluation and crop
improvement being neglected. Lathyrus sativus at present is banned for commercial
sale in several of the states in India and in Nepal. While this has had little impact
on the production of the crop it has had very serious repercussions on the research
on this crop. Politically it is very difficult to fund germplasm collections,
evaluations and development of new varieties on a banned crop. Therefore the
major effect of the ban on commercial trade has appeared to be a reduction of the
much-needed research on this crop. This research effort is required as grass pea
is ranked as the second pulse in area of production in Nepal and the fourth in India
in spite of the bans.
The small-seeded lines, known as lakhori in India, often have a very severe
shattering problem. This occurs with the splitting of the ventral vein of the pod as
the seeds enlarge and before they are mature. This necessitates early harvest if seed
shattering and loss are to be avoided. Fortunately most large-seeded types do not
shatter and therefore the trait should be readily improved in breeding
programmes.
There appear to be fairly high levels of trypsin inhibitor in grass pea
(Deshpande and Campbell 1992) compared with many of the food legumes, the
notable exception being soya beans. In the few studies to date on this trait there
appears to be little variation that could be exploited in breeding programmes. The
reduction of this trait would make the crop much more desirable as animal food.
As heating during food preparation almost eliminates this problem it does not
appear to be a major concern for most human consumption. There are reported uses
in Bangladesh, however, where the seeds are ground, mixed with water and eaten
as paste balls. In cases such as these the amount of trypsin inhibitor would affect
the nutritional value of the crop.
Thrips can be a serious pest of grass pea, resulting in crop damage. In
evaluations of germplasm in India there appears to be little known resistance to this
insect problem.

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 55
11 Prospects
Lathyrus sativus has a number of unique features that make it attractive to the
grower and to the consumer. These are:
• Adapted to growing under harsh environmental conditions such as drought
stress. This is a very favourable trait throughout the arid regions of china,
South Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.
• Adapted to growing under waterlogged conditions. This has been exploited
in south east asia where the seeds are broadcast into the water of a standing
rice crop. It also has been reported from Ethiopia where flooding from
monsoon rains can severely damage other crops.
• A high level of protein which normally ranges from 26 to 28% but can be as high
as 32%.
• Agreeable taste which can be utilized in snack foods as well as a component of
the regular diet.
• A high biological nitrogen fixation rate which allows the crop to be an
important component in sustainable farming systems.
• Can be used as forage or fodder for animals, both as a primary crop and as the
residue remaining after harvesting the grain.
• The grains are used as human food or as animal feed.
• Requires few inputs and therefore is adaptable to ecological sustainabilty.

5 6 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
12 Further research needs
Several courses of action have been indicated to date, including:
• Collecting, conservation and evaluation of germplasm from areas that have not had
adequate sampling yet.
• Investigation of interspecific hybrids that might allow the transfer of desirable traits
into L. sativus.
• Initiate breeding programmes for forage and fodder production in South Asia utilizing
the vast amount of germplasm and expertise available from ICARDA.
• Physiological studies are required to determine the drought tolerance mechanism in
L. sativus and closely related species.
• Physiological studies of the nitrogen-fixing ability of L. sativus and closely related
species, including evaluation of Rhizobium development under flooded conditions
of rice-growing areas.
• Breeding of lines with higher-yielding ability through the incorporation of yield
components such as double pods per node and increased seeds per pod.
• Breeding of lines with increased forage production both for present production areas
and also to allow increased production in arid regions as forage.
• Physiological studies to determine the role of zinc in ODAP concentration, especially
in the zinc-depleted rice-growing areas where L. sativus is presently being grown.
• Physiological studies to determine the need, if any, of ODAP content in plant parts other
than the seed.
• Assessment of resistance or tolerance to Orobanche species and the development of
control measures.
• Assessment and identification of resistance to insects such as thrips.
• Assessment of present germplasm collections for disease resistance or tolerance,
especially to powdery mildew and downy mildew.
• Assessment of germplasm for increased herbage production, for increased seed yield
and harvest index.
• Assessment of germplasm for yield components, including double podding and seeds
per pod.
• Assessment of genotypes for hardiness traits such as cold tolerance.
• Assessment of germplasm for nutritional components such as protein.
• Assessment of germplasm for anti nutritional factors such as tannins, phenolics and
trypsin inhibitors. At present it appears that variability exists in all such factors except
trypsin inhibitors.
• Identification and elimination of the enzyme responsible for ODAP production.
• Safe levels, if they exist, of the neurotoxin ODAP need to be identified.
• Development of new export markets which will require very low or zero ODAP levels
in new varieties.
• Identification of areas for in situ conservation.
• Development of varieties for specific end needs including herbage production, self-
seeding mechanisms, seed size and plant vigour.

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 57
13 Lathyrus Genetic Resources Network
A workshop on Lathyrus genetic resources in Asia was held at Raipur, India, 27-29
December 1995. The following recommendations were developed from the
discussions and deliberations of the workshop sessions (Arora et al. 1996):
• It was felt desirable to estabish a network on Lathyrus genetic resources.
• The proposed network will include countries from South Asia and WANA
region including Ethiopia. CLIMA and other research organizations interested
in Lathyrus may also be associated as research interest groups.
• The network activities will be coordinated by IPGRI Coordinator for South
Asia located at NBPGR, Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110 012, India.
• There will be a representative from each country to act as a country coordinator
in the network.
The activities suggested for the Network are as follows:
• Emphasis on two other species of economic importance – L. cicera and L. ochrus
– besides L. sativus. The wild species genepool also may be given adequate
attention.
• Current status of germplasm collections needs to be assessed by each country.
Documentation of existing genetic resources held by different national
programmes needs priority. ICARDA may take up creation of database for
germplasm from WANA region and Ethiopia while IPGRI can take up
preparation of database for South Asia.
• A list of minimum descriptors as discussed may be made available by IPGRI to
cooperators. A booklet on the list of descriptors for the Lathyrus genepool
(including wild species) may be prepared and published by IPGRI involving
WANA and South Asia region.
• Once the databases are prepared, these will be supplied to member countries
for sharing information.
• IPGRI Coordinator at South Asia office, New Delhi may develop a Directory
of Lathyrus genetic resources and expertise from network countries.
Priorities for networking
• The major objective of the networking would be germplasm exchange,
collecting, evaluation, characterization, conservation and utilization.
• It was agreed to assess the status of existing germplasm available within
different member countries.
• Depending on the outcome of critical evaluation of the above information, the
gaps for further collecting can be identified.

5 8 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
Collaborative studies
Adaptive studies
• Adaptive studies need to be carried out by countries in the South Asia and
WANA regions with emphasis on both grain and forage purposes. Mechanisms
for coordination/country contacts need to be identified.
Breeding
• It was agreed to have a collaborative breeding approach to quicken the process
of developing lines with low ODAP, high yield (biomass/seed yield), and
resistance to diseases and pests/abiotic stresses.
Basic studies
• Basic studies on genetic control of different traits such as flower colour, ODAP
content, etc.; outcrossing mechanisms; preparation of linkage maps and studies
on reproductive biology in different Lathyrus species; inter-relationships
between different Lathyrus species using genetic and cytogenetic techniques,
molecular markers and other biotechnology approaches, and interspecific
hybridization needs to be undertaken. It was suggested that such work may
be carried out in India through collaboration.
• The network should have a close link with other groups concerned with
establishment of safe ODAP threshold limit; survey of Lathyrism, public
awareness, microbiological studies on nodulation/nitrogen fixation, and
preparation of agronomic packages.
• Development of low-ODAP lines should be coupled with development of
appropriate strategies for maintenance of genetic purity through proper
isolation mechanisms.
• Some pilot studies may be carried out for in situ (on-farm) conservation of
germplasm in farmerss fields.
• It may be desirable for Network functioning to approach the national systems
to identify/nominate country coordinators and the expert scientists/
institutes.
Core collection
• The importance and need for a core collection was stressed. It was suggested
that it should be possible to define the core collection with available data.
Safety-duplicate collection
• It was suggested to duplicate the germplasm accessions at two places in India:
base collection at NBPGR, New Delhi and active germpalsm collection may be
maintained at IGAU, Raipur and IIPR, Kanpur.
• It was suggested that other participating countries may, if they desire, deposit
their germplasm with either NBPGR, New Delhi or ICARDA.

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 59
Genetic diversity
• Collecting of genetic diversity in hot spots and its study may be given due
emphasis.
• The active and working collections are being maintained in a number of
countries. Such procedures need to be followed by each country.
Complementary conservation strategies need to be developed based on
experience from pilot studies.
Funding for the proposed Network
• IPGRI may explore the possibilities of obtaining funds. Need-based proposals
are to be developed by Network participating countries for support. The
potential donaors such as ACIAR, Asian Development Bank, BMZ Germany,
FAO, UNDP and EU, etc. may be approached.
Other follow-up action
• It was felt that expertise within the region may be fully utilized for various
PGR-related activities.
• To promote concern on conservation and use of Lathyrus, information on work
being carried out in the region may be published in the IPGRI-APO Newsletter.
• Proceedings of the workshop may be brought out by IPGRI, New Delhi office.
• The Network Coordinator will have the country coordinator nominated by the
nodal agencies in the participating countries.
• It was agreed that the Network coordinator will indicate steps to have a
Steering Committee constituted in consultation with the country coordinators.

6 0 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
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samples from Madhya Pradesh. Ind. J. Med. Res. 56(1):95-99.
Paredes, C.M., U.J. Tay, I.A. France and S.A.Y. Valenzuela. 1989. Produccion de chicharos en
la VII y VIII regiones. Investigacion y Progreso Agropecuario (Quilamapu) 38:26-29.
Poma, I. and F. Noto. 1990. La cicerchia, una leguminosa da recuperare. L’Informatore
Agrario 24:41-48.
PRC (Pulses Research Centre). 1993. Reports on Pulses Breeding for the year 1992-93.
Regional Agric. Research Station, Ishurdi, Pabna, Bangladesh.
Quader, M. 1985. Genetics of flower colour, BOAA content and their relationship in Lathyrus
sativus. Pp. 93-97 in Lathyrus and Lathyrism (A.K. Kaul and D. Combes, eds.). Third
World Medical Research Foundation, New York.
Quader, M., M.A. Ahadmiah, M.D. Wahidizzaman and S. Rahman. 1989. Present status of
L. sativus research in Bangladesh. Pp. 152-158 in The Grass Pea: Threat and Promise.
Proc. of the International Network for the Improvement of Lathyrus sativus and the
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Integrated Cereal Project, Department of Agriculture, Nepal
Rahman, G.M.M., G.A. Fkir and M.B. Miah. 1987. Reaction of grass pea lines to Fusarium
oxysporum and Sclerotium rolfsii. Bangladesh J. Plant Pathol. 3:17-23.
Rahman, M.M., M. Quader and J. Jumar. 1991. Status of khesari breeding and future strategy.
Pp. 25-28 in Advances in Pulses Research in Bangladesh. Proceed. 2nd Nat. Workshop
on Pulses, 6-8 June 1989 at BARI, Joydebpur. BARI, Joydebpur and ICRISAT.
Reshnovetskii, S.B. 1986. Results of a study of Lathyrus sativus varieties in Kokchetav
province. Trudy, tselinogradskii Sel’skokhozyaistvennyi Institut 72:67-71.
Rutter, J. and S. Percy. 1984.The pulse that maims. New Scientist 23.
Sahu, S.L. 1991. Genetic variability, correlation and path studies and their implication in
selection of high yielding, low BOAA content genotypes of grasspea (L. sativus L.). MSc
Thesis submitted to IGAU, Raipur, India.
Sarma, B.K., B.D. Sharma and G.N. Hazarika. 1991. Crop genetic resources of North East
India: II. Pulses and oilseed, a review. Agric. Rev. 12:213-224.
Seme Debela. 1988. Brief remarks on grass pea production in Ethiopia. Pp. 147-151 in The
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fodder development. FAO/TA No. 2351.
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Wageningen.
Wolde-Amlak Araya and Alellign Kefyalew. 1990. Status of grass pea (L. sativus) production
in Ethiopia. IAR Newsl. Agric. Res. (Ethiopia) 5(1):4.
Wuletaw Tadesse, Wollelie Melesse and Yohannes Degago. 1995. Identification of
alternative crops for grass pea production in the Fogera plains of Gondar region. Pp. 75
in International Conference on Lathyrus and Lathyrism: A decade of progress, 27-29
November 1995, Addis Abeba (Redda Tekle Haimanot, ed.).
Yamamoto, K., T. Fujiware and I.D. Blumenreich. 1986. Isozymic variation and interspecific
crossability in annual species of the genus Lathyrus. Pp. 118-129 in Lathyrus and
Lathyrism (A.K. Kaul and D. Combes, eds.). Third World Medical Research Foundation,
New York.
Yurchenko, I.T., L.R. Azarkh, L.P. Tkachuk and A.Z. Glukhov. 1990. Results of work at the
Donetsk Botanic Garden of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences on the introduction of
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14:26-30. Botanicheskii Sad. Donetsk, Ukrainian SSR.

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Appendix I. Centres maintaining collections
of grass pea
Australia
Australian Temperate Field Crops Collection
Private Bag 260
Horsham VIC 3401
Bangladesh
Plant Genetic Resources Centre
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute
GPO Box 2235
Joydebpur, Gazipur 1701
Canada
Plant Genetic Resources of Canada
Central Experimental Farm
Agriculture Canada, Wm. Saunders Bldg.
Ottawa, ON K1A 0C6
Crop Diversification Centre
Unit 100-100 Route 100
Morden, MB R6M 1Y5
China
Institute of Crop Germplasm Resources (CAAS)
30 Bai Shi Qiao Road
Beijing 100 081
Cyprus
Plant Genetic Resources and Herbarium
Agricultural Research Institute
PO Box 2016
Nicosia
Fax: +357-2-316770
Email: ari@zeus.cc.ucy.ac.cy
Ethiopia
Biodiversity Institute
PO Box 30726
Addis Abeba
Fax: +251-1-613722/654976

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 73
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
PO Box 5689
Addis Abeba
Fax: +251-1-611892
Email: ILRI-Ethiopia@cgnet.com
France
Laboratoire d’Ecologie Moléculaire
Faculté des Sciences et Techniques
Université de Pau
Avenue de l’Université
64000 Pau
Fax: +33-59841696
Germany
Institute for Plant Genetics and Crop Plant
Research (IPK) - Genebank
Corrensstr. 3
06466 Gatersleben
Fax: +49-39482-5155
Greece
Greek Genebank
Agricultural Research Centre of Macedonia and Thrace
National Agricultural Research Foundation
PO Box 312
570 01 Theri - Thessaloniki
Fax: +30-31-471209
India
National Board of Plant Genetic Resources
Pusa Campus
New Delhi 110012
Indira Gandhi Agricultural University
Kishak Nagar
492 012 Raipur, Madhya Pradesh
Italy
Germplasm Institute
CNR, National Research Council
Via G. Amendola 165/A
70126 Bari

7 4 Grass pea.
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Fax: +39-80-5587566
Email: ricerca@vm.csata.it
Nepal
Nepal Agricultural Research Council
Khumaltar, Lalitpur
Pakistan
Cytogenetics Laboratory
Pakistan Agricultural Research Council
PO Box 1031
Islamabad 44000
Poland
Plant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute
05-870 Blonie,
Radzikow near Warsaw
Fax: +48-2-7254714
Russia
N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Research Institute of Plant Industry
Bolshaya Morskaja Street 42-44
190 000 St. Petersburg
Fax: +7-812-3118762
Email: vir@glas.apc.org
Spain
Centro de Recursos Fitogenéticos
Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria
Aut. Aragón A-2, km 36 - Apdo 1045
28800 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid
Fax: +34-1-8819287
Banco de Germoplasma de Leguminosas-Grano
Centro de Investigación de Albaladejito
Ctra. Toledo - Cuenca km 174
16194 Cuenca
Fax: +34-69-232151

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 75
Syria
International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)
PO Box 5466
Aleppo
Fax: +963-21-225105/213490 or 551860
Email: ICARDA@cgnet.com
Scientific Agriculture and Research Directorate
PO Box 113, Douma
Damascus
Turkey
Plant Genetic Resources Department
Aegean Agricultural Research Institute
PO Box 9, Menemen
35661 Izmir
Fax: +90-232-8461107
UK
Department of Biology
University of Southampton
School of Biological Sciences
Basset Crescent East
Southampton S09 3TU
USA
North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station
Agronomy Department
Iowa State University
Ames IA 50011
Western Regional Plant Introduction Station
USDA-ARS
Washington State University
59 Johnson Hall
Pullman, WA 99164-6402

7 6 Grass pea.
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Appendix II. Research contacts
Address Area of expertise
Australia
Prof. P. Cocks - Head Pasture ecology
Dept. of Crop and Pasture Science
University of Western Australia
Nedlands WA 6009
Tel: +61-9 380 2555
Fax: +61-9 380 1023
Email: bosscaps@uniwa.uwa.edu.au
Co-operative Research Centre
for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture
University of Western Australia
Nedlands WA 6009
Fax: +61-9-380-1140
Email: clima@uniwa.uwa.edu.au
Dr Dirk Enneking
Email: enneking@uniwa.uwa.edu.au Genetic resources
documentation, plant
analysis, ecological
biochemistry
Steve Herwig PhD project:
Environmental Centre for
Legumes in influence on
ODAP levels in Lathyrus
spp.
M.W. Perry Crop physiology,
environmental adaptation
of grain legumes
Dr K.H.M. Siddique - Senior Grain Legumes Specialist Plant breeding
WA Dept. of Agriculture
Baron-Hay Court
South Perth WA 6151
Fax: +61-9 368-2165
Email: msiddique@infotech.agric.wa.gov.au
Bangladesh

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 77
Dr Mophamed Abdul Malek - Director
Dr Ahad Mian - Agronomist Agronomy
A.N.M.M. Murshed
Dr C.D.M. Sarwar - Senior Scientific Officer Breeding
Pulses Research Centre
Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute
Joydebpur, Gazipur 1701
Fax: +880-2-841678
Prof. Muhammed Hussain - Head Biochemistry
Bishan Lal Das Chowdhury - Asst. Prof. Biochemistry
Rabiul Haque - Asst. Prof. Biochemistry
Dept. of Biochemistry
Bangladesh Agricultural University
Mymensingh
Dr M.A.Q. Shaikh - Director Plant breeding
B.P. Lahiri - Senior Scientific Officer Breeding, biochemistry
M.A. Majid - Senior Scientific Officer Breeding
Dr A.K. Podder - Principal Scientific Officer Soil microbiology
Dr M.A. Sattar - Principal Scientific Officer Soil microbiology
Bangladesh Institute of Nuclear Agriculture
PO Box 4
Mymensingh
Dr Harun K.M. Yusuf - Prof. of Biochem. Biochemistry
and Human Nutrition
M. Mamun Al Monsoor Biochemistry
Badal Roy
Department of Biochemistry
University of Dhaka
Dhaka - 1000
Tel: +880-2-864708(0)
Dr Anisul Haque - Assoc. Prof. and Head Clinical biochemistry
Dept. of Neurology
Institute of Postgraduate Medicine
and Research, Shahbag
Dhaka 1000
Dr M.M. Rahman - Head Agronomy
Dr Abu Bakr - Plant Pathologist Plant pathology

7 8 Grass pea.
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R. Rahman
Pulses Improvement Programme
Regional Agricultural Research Station
Ishurdi, Pabna
Belgium
Dr Y.H. Kuo Biochemistry
Dr F. Lambein Biochemistry
Laboratory of Physiological Chemistry
Faculty of Medicine
University of Gent
Gent
Fax: +31-11-091-64-5342
Email: Fernand.lambein@rug.ac.be
Brazil
Roberto Carbonera Agronomy
Cooperative Regional Trilicola Serra Ltda
Directoria Agrotecnica
Rua das Chacaras, 1513
Caixa Postal III
Suburbio Sal
Bulgaria
Dr Miho Mihov - Legume breeder Breeding
Institute for Wheat and Sunflower
Dobrudja
Near General Toshevo
Canada
Dr C.G. Briggs - Chemist Plant analysis, analytical
Dept. of Pharmacy techniques
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Fax: +1-204-275-7509
Dr J.E. Bruni Tissue analysis
Faculty of Medicine
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 79
Dr C.G. Campbell Breeding, plant analysis,
Kade Research Ltd. antinutritional factors
135 13 Street
Morden, Manitoba, R6M 1E9
Fax: +1-204-822-6451,6841
Email: campbell@mts.net
F. Kiehn - Agronomist Agronomy
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Research Center
Morden, Manitoba, R6M 1Y5
Fax: +1-204-822-6841
Email: ag362mail@mbrsmo.agr.ca
Dr R. Marquardt Animal nutrition
Dept. of Animal Science
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Dr J.F. MacDonald Medical research
University of Toronto
Playfair Nerosc. Unit
Toronto Ontario
Dr Mark Perry Evaluation/agronomy
Agriculture and Agri-food Canada
Research Station
Swift Current, SK S9H 3X2
Fax: +1-306-773-9123
Email: millerpr@em.agr.ca
Xiano-Fang Wang - Graduate student Antinutritional factors
Dept. of Pharmacy
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Chile
Gabriel B. Bascur Agronomy
Estacion Experimental La Platina
Casilla 493, Correo 3
Santiago

8 0 Grass pea.
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L.
Enrique H. Penaloza Agronomy
Estacion Experimental Carillanca
Casilla 58-D
Temuco
Dr Juan U. Tay Agronomy
Estacion Experimental Quilamapu
Casilla 426
Chillan
Fax: +56-42-224879
China
Yao-Zu Chen - Professor of Chemistry Plant analysis,
and Biochemistry biochemistry
Department of Chemistry
State Key Laboratory
of Applied Organic Chemistry
Lanzhou University
Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu Province
Lu Fuhai - Senior Researcher of Agrology Soils
Institute of Soil and Fertilizer
Gansu Academy of Agricultural Science
Lanzhou, 730070, Gansu Province
Wang Ya-fu - Assoc. Prof. of Genetics Genetics
Yang Hanmin - Assoc. Prof. of Cell Biology
Department of Biology
Lanzhou University
Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu Province
Liu Xuchuan - Senior Researcher of Pathology Plant pathology
Institute of Chinese
Traditional Veterinary Medicine
Gansu Academy of Agricultural Science
Lanzhou, 730050, Gansu Province
Dr Jing-Zhong Yu Evaluation/Crop
The Soil and Fertilizer Institute improvement
Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Yangling, Shaanxi 712100
Fax: 86-910-713333

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 81
Li Zhixiao Plant analysis, biochemistry
Senior Researcher of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Institute of Organic Chemistry
Lanzhou University
Lanzhou, 730000, Gansu Province
Ethiopia
Dr Berhanu Abegaz
Dr Ghirma Moges
Department of Chemistry
Addis Abeba University
PO Box 1176
Addis Abeba
Dr Redda T.Haimanot Neurology
Department of Internal Medicine
Faculty of Medicine
Addis Abeba University
Addis Abeba
Fax: +251-1-613633
Dr Aregay Waktola
Research and Publications Office
Addis Abeba University
PO Box 1176
Addis Abeba
Dr Tadesse G. Medhin - General Manager
Institute of Agricultural Research
PO Box 2003
Addis Abeba
Fax: +251-1-611222
Yohannes Degago Crop improvement
Asfaw Telaye Evaluation
Institute of Agricultural Research
Holetta Research Center
PO Box 2003
Addis Abeba

8 2 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
Wuletaw Tadesse - Research Officer Evaluation
Adet Research Center
PO Box 08
Bahir Dar
Kelbessa Urga
Elizabeth Wuhib
Ethiopian Nutrition Institute
PO Box 5456
Addis Abeba
Eritrea
Ato Wolde Amlak Araya - Lecturer Plant breeding
Asmara University
Faculty of Agriculture
PO Box 1220
Asmara
France
Dr D. Combes Genetic resources
IBEAS
Université de Pau
64000 Pau
Fax: +33-5-59841696
Email: daniel.combes@univ-pau.fr
Dr Alfred Phillippe Conesa - President
INRA, Centre de Recherche de Montpellier
Place Pierre Villa
34060, Montpellier, Cedex
India
Dr R.L. Pandey - Project coordinator Lathyrus Plant breeding
Shri. K.K. Agrawal - Jr. Scientist, Biochemist Plant analysis
Shri. H.K. Chandrakar - Jr. Scientist, Entomologist Entomology
Dr Arvind Geda - Sr. Scientist, Biochemist Plant analysis
Shri. O.P. Kashyap - Jr. Scientist Plant breeding
Shri. Niranjan Khare - Jr. Scientist, Plant Pathologist Plant pathology
Dr D.J. Pophaly - Assoc. Prof. Entomology Entomology
Shri. S.K. Shrivastava - Jr. Scientist, Agronomist Agronomy
Dr B.P. Singh - Senior Scientist, Plant Pathologist Plant pathology
Indira Gandhi Agricultural University
Raipur, 492 012 Madhya Pradesh
Fax: +91-771-424481/424315

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 83
Mr S.K. Katiyar - Asst. Professor Tissue culture
Mr S.V. Velurkar - Asst. Professor Breeding
Dept. of Plant Breeding and Genetics
Indira Gandhi Agricultural University
Raipur - 492 012 Madhya Pradesh
Fax: +91-0771-23424
Mr A. Kotasthane - Asst. Professor Pathology
Dept. of Plant Pathology
Indira Gandhi Agricultural University
Raipur - 492 012 Madhya Pradesh
Fax: +91-0771-23424
R.P. Amruth
Ramesh V. Bhat Epidemiology/Food
safety
Food Toxicology Division
National Institute of Nutrition
Indian Council of Medical Research
Jamai, Osmania
Hyderabad, 500 007
Dr K.S. Autkar - Jr. Agronomist
Punjabrao Krishi Vidyapeeth
Akola, 444 104 Maharashtra
Dr P.S. Bharodia - Research Scientist, Pulses
Gujarat Agric. University
Dantiwada, Sardar
Krushinagar, 385 506 Gujarat
Ms Hima Bindu Plant breeding, plant
analysis
Dr R.B. Mehra Plant breeding
Dr D.B Raju Plant breeding, genetics
Dept. of Genetics
Indian Agricultural Research Institute
Delhi - 110 012
Shri. H.K. Borah - Jr. Geneticist
Regional Agric. Research Station
Shallongani, Navgaon
Assam 782 001

8 4 Grass pea.
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L.
Dr S.D. Chatterjee - Economic Botanist II
Pulses and Oilseeds Research Station
Berhampore - 741 101 West Bengal
Asis Data - Prof. Biochemistry Genetics, molecular biology
Jawaharlal Nehru University
New Delhi - 110067
Fax: +91-11-6865886
Email: adatta@jnuniv.ernet.in
Dr M.P. Dwivedi
Regional Office for Health
and Family Welfare
131/16, Maharana Pratap Nagar
Bhopal - 462 011 MP
Shri. P.K. Jha - Scientist NARP
Agric. Research Station
Bhawani Patnam
Berhampore, Orissa
Dr S.L. Kothari - President
Academy of Nutrition Improvement
Soyamilk Complex, Sitabuldi, Wardha Road
Nagpur - 400 12 Maharashtra
Dr M.S. Lal Agronomy
237, CP Colony
Morar - Gwalior -
474 006 Madhya Pradesh
Dr M.H. Mehta - Head Biochemistry
Dept. of Biochemistry
Indian Agricultural Research Institute.
Delhi 110 012
Dr G.P. Mishra - Professor of Plant Breeding Upland Lathyrus
J.N. Agric. University Campus
College of Agriculture
Dryland Research
Kuthulia Farm
Rewa, Madhya Pradesh

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 85
Shri. T.K. Mishra - Scientist Plant breeding
Agriculture Research Station
Orissa Agric. University
Berhampore, Orissa
Dr S. Badri Naryan
Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory
Department of Botany
Faculty of Science
The M.S. University of Baroda
Baroda - 390 002
Dr Y.S. Nerkar Mutation breeding
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding
Marathwada Agricultural University
Parbhani
Maharashtra - 431 402
Dr S.L.N. Rao - Professor of Biochemistry Biochemistry
Department of Biochemistry
Osmania University
Hyderabad - 500 007 AP
Dr A.K. Sharma Cytogenetics
Cytogenetics Laboratory
Botany Department
Calcutta University
Calcutta
Dr N.B. Singh - Chief Scientist and Prof. Plant breeding
Agric. Research Station
Tirhut College of Agriculture
Dholi
Bihar - 843 121
Dr (Smt.) Indu Swarup - Jr. Scientist Plant breeding
J.N. Agric. University Campus Upland Lathyrus
R.A.K. 2 College of Agriculture
Sehore 466 001 Madhya Pradesh

8 6 Grass pea.
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L.
Israel
Dr Dan F. Cohn
Department of Neurology
Tchilov Hospital
6 Weizman Str
Tel Aviv, 64239
Italy
Alessandro Bozzini
ENEA
Viale Regina Margherita, 125
00198 Roma
De Falco Enrica
Department of Crop Production
University of Basilicata
Via N Sauro, 85
Potenza
Japan
Dr Fumio Ikegami Biosynthesis
G. Ongena Biosynthesis
Isamu Murakoshi Biosynthesis
Medicinal Plant Garden
Faculty of Pharm. Sci.
Chiba University
Yayoi-Cho 1-33
Inage-ku
Chiba
Fax: +81-43-255-1574
Dr K. Yamamoto Cytogenetics
Cytogenetics
Faculty of Agriculture
Kagawa University
Miki-Cho Kagawa, 61-07
Nepal
Dr Gopal Acharya - Professor and Head
Department of Medicine
Institute of Medicine
Tribhuvan University
Kathmandu, Nepal

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 87
G. Chaudury - Agronomist Agronomy
Rice Research Institute
Parwanipur
C. Yadav - Grain Legumes Coordinator
Grain Legumes Research Programme
Nepal Agricultural Research Council
Rampur
Chitwan
Fax: +977-1-226820
Pakistan
Dr A.M. Haqqani - Agronomist Agronomy
Grain Legumes Improvement Program
National Agricultural Research Center
PO NARC, Park Road
Islamabad
Fax: +92-51-240909/812968
Dr H.I.T. Khawaja - Head Cytogenetics
Mr Khuram Abbas Cytogenetics
Mr Ihtasham-Ul-Haq Plant breeding
Cytogenetics Dept.
Central Laboratories
National Agricultural Research Center
PO NARC, Park Road
Islamabad
Fax: +92-51-822-401
Email: agric@paknet1.ptc.pk
Dr Muhammad Irfan-ul-Haque - Pathologist Plant pathology
Mr Muhammad Bashir Khan - Pathologist Plant pathology
Dr Sajid Mustafa - Tissue Molecular genetics
Dr Ihsan Ullah Plant analysis, nutrition
Central Laboratories
National Agricultural Research Center
PO NARC, Park Road
Islamabad,
Fax: +92-51-822-401

Rashid Anwar Genetic resources
Plant Genetic Resources
National Agricultural Research Center
PO NARC, Park Road
Islamabad
Fax: +92-51-822-401
Mr Muhammad Ajmal Khan Forage
Forages and Pasture Programme
National Agricultural Research Center
PO NARC, Park Road
Islamabad
Fax: +92-51-822-401
Sarfraz Ahmad - Scientific Officer
Arid Zone Research Institute
Brewery Road, Quetta
Dr Syed Dilnawaz Ahmad Gerdazi - Plant Breeder Plant breeding
University College of Agriculture
Rawalakot, Poonch, Azad Kashmir
Mr Mohammad Ilyas - Plant Breeder Agronomy
Agriculture Research Station
Mingora, NWFP
Dr Iftikhar Ali Raja Khawaja - Professor of Neurosurgery
Nishtar Medical College and Hospital
Multan
Fax: +92-61-511456
Sonamal Oad - Pulse Researcher Agronomy
Rice Research Institute
Dokri, Sindh
Mr Mohammad Ramzan - Pulses Botanist Plant breeding
Barani Agriculture Research Institute
Chakwal
Muhammad Umar Sial - Agronomist Agronomy, fodder
Agriculture Research Institute
Tandojam, Sindh

Spain
Dr V. Delgado Tissue culture
Dr Moreno San Martin
Inst. “Jaime Perran” Microb.
Joaquim Costa
32 Madrid 6
J.F. Gutierrez Plant breeding
F.J. Nences
Departmento de Genetica
Fac. Biology
Univ. de Leon
24071 Leon
Fernando Franco Jubete Plant breeding
Universidad de Valladolid
Departmento de Ciencias y Tecnologia Agrarias
Avda. de Madrid, 57
34004 Palencia
Syria
Dr Ali M. Abd El Moneim Plant breeding
Dr Larry Robertson - Germplasm Curator Germplasm
Email: l.robertson@cgnet.com
International Centre forAgricultural
Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)
PO Box 5466
Aleppo
Fax: +963-21-225105/213490 or 551860
Email: ICARDA@cgnet.com
Turkey
Dr Fazil Djzjnceli
Southeast Anatolian Agricultural
Research Institute
PO Box 72
Diyarbakir
UK
Dr E.A. Bell Biochemistry
Department of Biochemistry
King’s College London
Strand, London WC2R 2LS

9 0 Grass pea.
Lathyrus sativus
L.
Dr F. Bisby Genetic resources
School of Biological Sciences
University of Southampton
Basset Crescent East
Southampton, S09 354
Fax: +44-1703-593939
Dr Jayaprakash R.K. Narayan Genetics
Institute of Biological Sciences
Sir George Stapledon Building
The University of Wales
Aberyswyth, Dyfed, SY23 3DD
Fax: 0970-622307
Email: rkn@uk.ac.aberystwyth
Dr Peter B. Nunn -
Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry Biochemistry
Department of Biochemistry
King’s College London
Strand, London WC2R 2LS
USA
Dr Peter Spencer - Director and Senior Scientist
Center for Research on Occupational
and Environmental Toxicology
3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road
Portland, OR 97201-3098
Fax: +1-503-494-4278

Promoting the conservation and use of underutilized and neglected crops. 18. 91
Appendix III. List of acronyms and abbreviations
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
Asia, Pacific and Oceania Office, IPGRI
Bundesministerium für Wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit, Germany
[Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development]
Co-operative Research Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean
Agriculture
National Research Council, Italy
European Cooperative Programme for Crop Genetic Resources
Networks
European Union
Food and Agriculture Organization
Indian Agricultural Research Institute
International Centre of Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, Syria
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics,
India
Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, India
Indian Institute of Pulses Research, India
International Lathyrus and Lathyrism Research Association
International Network for the Improvement of Lathyrus sativus and
the Eradication of Lathyrism
National Agricultural Research Center
National Bureau for Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi
ß-N-oxalyl-L-a, ß-diaminopropionoc acid
Plant genetic resources
United Nations Development Programme
West Asia and North Africa
trypsin inihibitor activity
chymotrypsum inhibitor activity
ACIAR
APO
BMZ
CLIMA
CNR
ECP/GR
EU
FAO
IARI
ICARDA
ICRISAT
IGAU
IIPR
ILLRA
INILSEL
NARC
NBPGR
ODAP
PGR
UNDP
WANA
TIA
CIA