Analysis of nucleotide sequences and expression levels of the LEC1 gene in pea varieties with different percentage of seed storage protein

The main source of vegetable protein in the world are leguminous crops, among which peas are the most common in Russia. Dozens and even hundreds of genes are involved in the regulation of biological processes associated with the maturation of seeds and the accumulation of reserve nutrients in them, including proteins. The study conducted on legume species related to peas indicate that one of the genes at the highest hierarchical level in this regulatory chain is the ABI3 transcription factor gene; however, its role in the biosynthesis and accumulation of seed storage proteins remains poorly studied. The purpose of the current work is to identify high-protein pea genotypes and analyze the nucleotide sequences of the coding region of the ABI3 gene to search for possible DNA polymorphisms associated with protein percentage in their seeds. The study was carried out in 2020–2021. The objects of the study were 37 pea varieties from the collection of genetic resources of leguminous crops of VIR. Protein percentage in seeds was determined by the Bradford method. Selection of primers and comparative analysis of nucleotide sequences were performed using the PrimerSelect and MegAlign programs. Sequencing was performed according to the Sanger method. There were identified pea varieties with the highest (‘Aksaisky Usaty 55’, ‘Sakharny’) and low (‘K-8361’ (VIR), ‘Fregat’) seed protein percentage. In these variety samples, the coding region of the ABI3 gene was sequenced. Comparative analysis of their nucleotide sequences with the sequence of the ABI3 gene fragment annotated in the GenBank database revealed significant variability among them: nucleotide substitutions, deletion of 6 nucleotides. In the high protein variety ‘Sakharny’, there has been found a 9-nucleotide insertion, leading to the insertion of three additional amino acids, and in the low-protein variety Fregat, there has been found a single nucleotide insertion, causing a shift in the reading frame. The data obtained may indicate a correlation between mutations in the ABI3 gene and protein accumulation in pea seeds.

Peas as a valuable component of animal feed with a high protein percentage is of great importance in solving the problem of increasing protein percentage in grain fodder produced in the country. The current paper has presented the estimation the peas varieties on protein percentage t in seeds. There has been studied the correlation between protein percentage and seed productivity, between 1000-grain weight and length of growing season. There has been identified the influence of weather conditions and the correlation between them and protein percentage t in peas seeds. The trials were conducted at the experimental plots of the peas nursery belonging to the Nizhny Novgorod Research Institute of Agriculture in 2016–2018. The objects of study were 15 peas varieties of domestic and foreign breeding. In the trial there were identified the peas varieties with high protein percentage (28.0–30.0%), with small seeds; the late-ripening varieties, and the varieties with low protein percentage (22.9–23.9%); the early-ripening varieties of a leafy morphotype with large seeds. There has been established a very weak negative correlation (r = –0.010) between protein percentage and grain productivity. There has been identified a very strong negative correlation (r = –0.818) between 1000-grain weight and protein percentage. The protein percentage in pea seeds has got a positive correlation with the length of growing season (r = +0.860). The leafy varieties showed a positive correlation between protein accumulation due to amount of precipitation (r = +0.714…+0.989) and the sum of positive temperatures above 10 ºС (from low, in some cases to high). The leafless pea varieties, at the same time, have got an inverse correlation at the increased humidity.

Masking flavours for plant proteins

The faecal and ileal true protein digestibilities of the raw pea (Pisum sativum) varieties finale and frijaune and the ileal true protein digestibility of steam-processed common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) were measured in piglets using the 15N-dilution technique. The faecal true protein digestibility of both pea varieties was about 97. The ileal true protein digestibility was between 93 and 95, indicating that the pea protein is almost completely enzymically digested in the small intestine. The faecal apparent protein digestibility was 85 for both varieties while at the ileal level it was 79 and 74 respectively. The lower ileal apparent protein digestibility of peas can be attributed completely to the excretion of endogenous protein. The ileal apparent protein digestibility of toasted common beans was about zero (-4); the ileal true protein digestibility was about 66. This indicates that the protein of the common bean, although toasted, was highly resistant to enzymic digestion. It was calculated that per kg ingested bean protein, 340 g undigested bean protein and 700 g endogenous protein passed the terminal ileum. The results of the present study explain why in previous experiments a strongly reduced weight gain and even weight loss was observed in piglets fed on raw and toasted common beans.

The solution to the most urgent problem of stable and smooth production of vegetable protein in the agro industrial complex of Donbass is practically impossible without introducing new pea varieties into production, the main legume of the region. The main tasks set by the breeders are to improve productivity stability over the years and the overall productivity potential by developing and introducing new, more environmentally flexible and adapted to specific growing conditions genotypes into production. In this regard, there has been given a special role to improving a number of quantitative traits that directly or indirectly affect the overall productivity of plants. The purpose of the current research was to identify the closeness and direction of the correlation of traits that determine productivity and protein percentage in pea seeds, their stability and variability depending on weather changes during a vegetation period. The weather conditions of 2022–2024 were very contrasting, which allowed evaluating the significance of each productivity element in more detail. There has been found that close correlations between seed weight per plant and a number of seeds per plant (r = 0.79***…0.83***), as well as a number of beans per plant (r = 0.69**…0.80***), between a number of beans and seeds per plant (r = 0.79***…0.85***) were studied in relatively favorable years (2022 and 2023). Identification of valuable breeding material by indirect traits in extreme years (2024), when the HTC < 0.2, was significantly complicated. All the obtained correlation coefficients under these conditions were low and unreliable. The results of the correlation of protein percentage in pea seeds with yield structure elements did not reveal a clear correlation between these traits. The correlation between protein percentage in pea seeds and yield structure elements has not been identified due to low and unreliable correlation coefficients, which allows directing pea breeding towards increasing protein percentage in seeds without taking into account the effect of seed productivity.

This article presents the results of studying the phytosanitary situation in the cultivation of 10 varieties of green pea in the Trans-Urals. We noted that the economic threshold of harmfulness by the soilborne and leaf-and-stem disease agents was crossed in the majority of the varieties. All varieties of the peas were affected by root rot above the economic threshold of damage (15%). In 2018, the level of root rot development was 55.5% on average in the varieties, or an excess of EPR by 3.7 times; and in 2019, the development of rot was 44.6% or an excess of EPR by 3 times. High rates of Fusarium blight were evident in the Zauralskiy 4, Kulon, Krepysh, and Samarius varieties, and bacterial blight in the Krepysh and Tomas varieties. Rust development varied on average over the two years from 10.5% to 16.5%, and 12% of the standard cultivar Aksayskiy Usatii 55 was affected. 11% of Samarius 13% of Agrointel and 11.5% of Zauralskiy 3 were affected. For all varieties, the development of powdery mildew was below the economic threshold of harmfulness (EPV = 15%). A higher percentage of disease development was noted in the Zauralsky 4 variety (11.0%) and in the Yamalsky 305 variety (13.5%). The productivity of the seeds treated with chemical fungicide increased 1.2-1.9 times as compared to the reference sample. The productivity growth of the seeds treated with biofungicides amounted to 1.09-1.11 times the reference. The authors recommend a pre-sowing treatment of pea seeds with preparations of symbiotrophic nitrogen fixers (such as nitragin, rhizotorfin), combined with their treatment with microelements: ammonium molybdate with 50% content of the active ingredient (250 g / t of seeds) and boric acid (250-300 g / t of seeds). Keywords: green pea, varieties, diseases, fungicide, yield.This article presents the results of studying the phytosanitary situation in the cultivation of 10 varieties of green pea in the Trans-Urals. We noted that the economic threshold of harmfulness by the soilborne and leaf-and-stem disease agents was crossed in the majority of the varieties. All varieties of the peas were affected by root rot above the economic threshold of damage (15%). In 2018, the level of root rot development was 55.5% on average in the varieties, or an excess of EPR by 3.7 times; and in 2019, the development of rot was 44.6% or an excess of EPR by 3 times. High rates of Fusarium blight were evident in the Zauralskiy 4, Kulon, Krepysh, and Samarius varieties, and bacterial blight in the Krepysh and Tomas varieties. Rust development varied on average over the two years from 10.5% to 16.5%, and 12% of the standard cultivar Aksayskiy Usatii 55 was affected. 11% of Samarius 13% of Agrointel and 11.5% of Zauralskiy 3 were affected. For all varieties, the development of powdery mildew was below the economic threshold of harmfulness (EPV = 15%). A higher percentage of disease development was noted in the Zauralsky 4 variety (11.0%) and in the Yamalsky 305 variety (13.5%). The productivity of the seeds treated with chemical fungicide increased 1.2-1.9 times as compared to the reference sample. The productivity growth of the seeds treated with biofungicides amounted to 1.09-1.11 times the reference. The authors recommend a pre-sowing treatment of pea seeds with preparations of symbiotrophic nitrogen fixers (such as nitragin, rhizotorfin), combined with their treatment with microelements: ammonium molybdate with 50% content of the active ingredient (250 g / t of seeds) and boric acid (250-300 g / t of seeds). Keywords: green pea, varieties, diseases, fungicide, yield

As older adults tend to reduce their intake of animal-source proteins, plant-source proteins may offer valuable resources for better protein intake. The aim of this study was to assess whether the pea proteins can be used to achieve blood amino acid levels that stimulate muscle protein synthesis. We measured variations in plasma amino acid concentrations in young and older adults given pea (NUTRALYS® S85 Plus) or whey proteins either alone or in a standardized meal. The effect of amino acid concentrations on protein synthesis in C2C12 myotubes was determined. In terms of results, plasma amino acid concentrations reflected the difference between the amino acid contents of whey and pea proteins. Blood leucine showed a greater increase of 91 to 130% with whey protein compared to pea protein, while the opposite was observed for arginine (A greater increase of 147 to 210% with pea compared to whey). Culture media prepared with plasmas from the human study induced age-dependent but not protein-type-dependent changes in myotube protein synthesis. In conclusion, pea and whey proteins have the same qualities in terms of their properties to maintain muscle protein synthesis. Pea proteins can be recommended for older people who do not consume enough animal-source proteins.

The effect of the dietary inclusion of pea seeds of colored-flowered and white-flowered varieties on gastrointestinal function in turkeys.

Six different pea (Pisum sativum) varieties and their proteins isolated via wet fractionation were screened to find varieties with outstanding protein functionality but minimum contents of antinutrients and off-flavor volatiles. A broad difference in emulsion activity (44.7–74.2 m2/g) and foaming capacity (163–210%) were detected between the varieties. Pea variety significantly affected LOX activity of the sample, yielding outstanding decreases (1.6–28.6 times) for all varieties following protein isolation. Variety Eso had the highest hexanal increase ratio (820 times) while variety Balder had the lowest (32 times) after the protein isolation. The total concentration of volatile off-flavors, phytate, and saponin increased during the protein isolation with distinctive degrees for each variety. The content of the antinutrients in the proteins was substantially affected by the variety. Altogether, purpose-specific selection of pea varieties based on their desired potential could enable pea proteins with fewer antinutrients and off-flavors.

The current study was carried out on 20 pea varieties and lines of various origins with a leafless type in the southern forest-steppe of Western Siberia in 2019–2022. The purpose of the study was to conduct a comparative analysis of varieties and breeding lines of domestic and foreign breeding and identify those suitable for processing into cereals. The trial was laid in the nursery of ecological variety testing according to the generally accepted methodology. The technological quality of grain was estimated according to the method of the State Commission for Variety Testing. Weather conditions were contrasting with periods of severe drought. The most favorable years for the formation of a large productivity of pea seeds (5.11 and 5.01 t/ha, respectively) were 2019 (HTC = 0.99) and 2020 (HTC = 0.60). In 2022 (HTC = 1.04), the lowest yield was obtained on average for the trial (2.22 t/ha, environmental index was 1.78), but with an increased proportion of protein (23.86 %, environmental index was +1,07). The variety ‘Yamalsky’ (2.79–5.61 t/ha) was the best in productivity, yielding to foreign varieties in the formation of protein in seeds (21.7 %). High-protein varieties were ‘Bonus 2’ and ‘L 36/18’ (22.7–26.8 %). There has been established that the highest protein percentage is synthesized at a yield level of 3.8 to 4.3 t/ha. There has been clarified correlation between protein yield per unit of area and productivity (r = 0.92) and protein percentage in seeds (r = 0.50). The correlation between 1000- seed weight and their uniformity was close to functional (r = 0.93), and with the total yield of cereals it was medium negative (r = –0.45), with the yield of shelled peas with undivided cotyledons it was strong negative (r = –0.76). The smallest yield of cereals was obtained from peas with a high percentage of coarse fraction (7.0–6.5 mm). In order to produce cereals with a standardized yield and quality, there have been recommended the variety ‘Blagovest’ and the line ‘L 182/15’. There has been established that among high-yielding varieties (4.27–4.63 t/ha) for the cereal industry there can be used such varieties as ‘Yamalsky’, ‘Krasnoufimsky 11’, ‘Aksaysky usatiy 55’, ‘Salamanka’ with a lower yield of shelled peas with undivided cotyledons (49.9–61, 1 %).

The current paper has presented the three-year study results of the impact of the regime of the main agrometeorological indicators (the amount of precipitation during the vegetation period, temperature and hydrothermal coefficient) on the size and quality of the yield of grain pea varieties of domestic and foreign breeding. It is most effective to cultivate high-yielding technological pea varieties with good grain quality, well adapted to various growing conditions (drought, waterlogging). On average, over the three years of study, productivity increase of the varieties ‘Sotnik’, ‘Amulet’, ‘Premier’, ‘Aliyans’, ‘Kadet’, ‘Ataman’,’ KVS La Mansh’ and ‘Glyans’ was on 0.57 t/ha more than that of the standard variety ‘Aksai Usatiy 5’. There have been identified the varieties ‘Kadet’, ‘Premier’, ‘Amulet’, ‘Velvet’ and ‘KVS La Mansh’ with a high protein percentage in grain (27.3–28.0%). According to the obtained results, we can say that protein percentage in grain of the studied pea varieties is directly affected by both the hydrothermal coefficient during the vegetation period and the productivity. The purpose of the current study was to investigate and analyze productivity and seed quality of the pea varieties, depending on the hydrothermal conditions in the Azov agro-climatic area of the Rostov region. These results obtained can be used in further breeding work. It is important that these varieties are adaptive to the soil and climatic conditions of the Rostov region, they are the initial material for breeding new highly productive pea varieties with a complex of economically valuable traits, as well as for growing under production conditions.

Plant-based Food Supply Chains: Recognising Market Opportunities and Industry Challenges of Pea Protein

Partition of the amino acids in ileal digesta from piglets fed pea protein diets

In 2009 the Krasnoufimsk Breeding Center of the Ural RIA, a branch of the FSBSI UrFARC UrO RAS, began breeding work to develop a highly productive pea variety that would be resistant to adverse environmental conditions, diseases and pests, have a non-lodging stem and non-shedding seeds. As a result of the work, there has been developed a new pea variety ‘Meteor’. The pea variety ‘Meteor’ ripens 4 days earlier than the standard variety ‘Krasnoufimsky 11’, in some years the difference can be up to 5–6 days. The plant length is 7 cm longer than that of the standard variety, with good resistance to lodging (4.6 points). The pea variety ‘Meteor’ exceeds the standard in a number of beans per plant (3.6 pcs.), in a number (12.7 pcs.) and weight of seeds per plant (2.3 g). 1000-seed weight is on average 212 g. Protein percentage is 18–26 %, while the variety ‘Meteor’ produces 26 kg more protein per hectare. Disease and moth damage of the variety ‘Meteor’ is the same or below the standard, depending on the conditions of the year. The new variety provides productivity increase of up to 29 % compared to the standard, has good drought resistance. On average, over the years of trials, the variety showed an increase to the standard by 0.18 t/ha (8 %). The variety ‘Meteor’ is highly productive, the maximum yield with 4.17 t/ha was obtained in 2022. In 2024, the new variety was included in the State List of Breeding Achievements approved for use in the Volga-Vyatka (4) and Ural (9) regions

In 2016-2018 in the competitive variety testing there was conducted the study of peas on the fields of research crop rotation of the laboratory of legumes breeding and seed-growing of the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy” located in the zone of unstable humidity of the Rostov region (Zernograd district). The analysis of the obtained seeds was carried out in the laboratory of biochemical estimation of breeding material and grain quality of the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy”. The objects of research were new pea lines of breeding of the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy”, which differed in their morphological, biological and economically valuable traits and properties. During the years of research, the meteorological conditions of the vegetation period of peas were contrasting, which made it possible to objectively estimate the lines in the climatic conditions. In the competitive variety testing for the period of 2016-2018, the evaluation of new promising pea lines due to their productivity and protein percentage resulted in identification the leafless pea lines “G-1002” and “G-1003” which exceeded the standard variety “Aksaisky Usaty 5” in productivity (0.30 and 0.39 t/ha) and protein yield (0.08 and 0.10 t/ha, respectively). There is a high correlation between seed productivity and protein content (0.95). There is a low correlation between protein percentage in seeds and protein yield (0.35). There is no correlation between productivity and protein percentage in seeds (0.03). The analysis of correlations shows that pea breeding on productivity directly affects on protein yield, i. e. the larger seed productivity, the larger protein percentage. The most productive pea lines are going to be used in further breeding work.