Spectrum of variability in seed size and content of protein and ODAP in grass pea (Lathyrus sativusL.) germplasm

Abstract

Seeds of grass pea contain an unusual amino acid, s-N-oxalyl-L-2,3-diamino propionic acid (ODAP) also referred as B-(N)-Oxalyl-amino-L-alanine (BOAA) which is responsible for an incurable paralysis of the lower limbs of men, called lathyrism. This study included thirty bold and small seeded genotypes of grass pea to ascertain the variability and the relationship existing among seed size, content of protein and ODAP in seeds. Weight of 1000-seed ranged from 40.50 to 79.23 g. The protein and ODAP content ranged from 25.05 to 33.95% and 0.32 to 2.02%, respectively. A significant positive correlation was observed between seed size and protein content (r = 0.48**) but negative association was obtained between seed size and ODAP content (r = - 0.22*). There was also negative association between the content of protein and ODAP (r = - 0.16). Therefore, it may be feasible to develop low neurotoxin varieties by selecting bold seed size following hybridization of bold seeded and low neurotoxin types with those having small seeds and high neurotoxin.