Lathyrus Sativus Research Articles

Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe Pisi) Management Studies in Grass pea (Lathyrus Sativus L)

Present investigations were undertaken to screen Grass pea germplasm for their resistance against powdery mildew in field condition & to test the efficacy of fungicides in vitro. The sixty Grass pea genotypes screened under natural field condition for the disease reaction against powdery mildew. The Experimental results revealed that elven genotypes including check RLK-279 were highly resistant, while twenty-four showed resistant reaction, sixteen were moderately resistant, and nine were moderately susceptible including susceptible check BioR-231 and none of the genotypes has shown susceptible and highly susceptible reaction (SR). The in-vitro studies revealed that, Tridemorph or Hexaconazole has inhibited the growth of E. pisi significantly. Thus, spraying of Tridemorph significantly managed powdery mildew disease caused by E. pisi in Grass pea with yield enhancement.

Khesari (Lathyrus sativus L.), an ancient legume for future gain: An expedition collection from parts of West Bengal state of Eastern India

Grasspea plays a considerable role in food and nutritional security of the local people. Notably, in the eastern parts of India, there is a long history of cultivation and uses of this crop. An expedition was undertaken to collect germplasm of grasspea in lower-Gangetic riverine belt and coastal areas of West Bengal of eastern India lying between latitude 21.43-24.44°N and longitude 87.23-88.90°E. From results of a structured questionnaire administered to grasspea farmers in 57 villages located in 96 local government areas, it appeared that grasspea is the primary winter pulse cultivated in this region. A large variability of germplasm exist, ranging from small to bold seed, green to yellow colour seed types, moderate to the high biomass type of grasspea. Most of these landraces have been adopted over the years from neighbouring communities, but in a few instances, the varietal replacement was noted which came either through the involvement of government department or local seed dealers. The highest proportion of the accessions (52.38%) were collected from Purba Medinipur district, and the lowest (19.05%) from Paschim Medinipur. On-spot evaluation of morphological traits variations was detected in the descriptor characteristics across the locations. A total of 21 accessions was collected and assessed on-spot for characters, viz ., size, shape, skin colour, taste and texture of the epidermis, revealed significant variation. The implications of this survey results for grasspea improvement in India are discussed in the present study.

Genomic insights into the biosynthesis and physiology of the cyanobacterial neurotoxin 3-N-methyl-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid (BMAA)

Cyanobacteria are an ancient clade of photosynthetic prokaryotes, present in many habitats throughout the world, including water resources. They can present health hazards to humans and animals due to the production of a wide range of toxins (cyanotoxins), including the diaminoacid neurotoxin, 3-N-methyl-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid (β-N-methylaminoalanine, BMAA). Knowledge of the biosynthetic pathway for BMAA, and its role in cyanobacteria, is lacking. Present evidence suggests that BMAA is derived by 3-N methylation of 2,3-diaminopropanoic acid (2,3-DAP) and, although the latter has never been reported in cyanobacteria, there are multiple pathways to its biosynthesis known in other bacteria and in plants. Here, we used bioinformatics analyses to investigate hypotheses concerning 2,3-DAP and BMAA biosynthesis in cyanobacteria. We assessed the potential presence or absence of each enzyme in candidate biosynthetic routes known in Albizia julibrissin, Lathyrus sativus seedlings, Streptomyces, Clostridium, Staphylococcus aureus, Pantoea agglomerans, and Paenibacillus larvae, in 130 cyanobacterial genomes using sequence alignment, profile hidden Markov models, substrate specificity/active site identification and the reconstruction of gene phylogenies. Most enzymes involved in pathways leading to 2,3-DAP in other species were not found in the cyanobacteria analysed. Nevertheless, two species appear to have the genes sbnA and sbnB, responsible for forming the 2,3-DAP constituent in staphyloferrin B, a siderophore from Staphylococcus aureus. It is currently undetermined whether these species are also capable of biosynthesising BMAA. It is possible that, in some cyanobacteria, the formation of 2,3-DAP and/or BMAA is associated with environmental iron-scavenging. The pam gene cluster, responsible for the biosynthesis of the BMAA-containing peptide, paenilamicin, so far appears to be restricted to Paenibacillus larvae. It was not detected in any of the cyanobacterial genomes analysed, nor was it found in 93 other Paenibacillus genomes or in the genomes of two BMAA-producing diatom species. We hypothesise that the presence, in some cyanobacterial species, of the enzymes 2,3-diaminopropionate ammonia-lyase (DAPAL) and reactive intermediate deaminase A (RidA) may explain the failure to detect 2,3-DAP in analytical studies. Overall, the taxonomic distribution of 2,3-DAP and BMAA in cyanobacteria is unclear; there may be multiple and additional routes, and roles, for the biosynthesis of 2,3-DAP and BMAA in these organisms.

Development and characterization of ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) induced mutant population of grass pea with yield, quality and forage traits

Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is an important protein-rich annual legume crop that can survive harsh environment conditions. Genetic improvement of grass pea is highly important for expanding its production, and mutation breeding can be a valuable tool in creating additional genetic variability. In the present study, we treated totally 3000 seeds of widely cultivated grass pea cultivar, Gürbüz-2001, with two different concentrations (0.5% and 1%) of mutagen EMS for 4 hours. The germination rates were calculated as 71.6% (1074 plants) and 42.4% (636 plants) for 0.5% and 1% EMS concentrations in M1 generation, respectively. We identified several mutant phenotypes such as seedling growth defects, abnormal branching, chlorophyll mutants, absence of flowering, and sterility in M1 and M2 populations. A total of 40 mutant plants which were superior than control variety in terms of vegetative components from M2 population were selected for agronomic, quality and forage traits analysis. Plant height of mutant lines ranged from 48 (GMP29) to 164 cm (GMP4), with an average value of 109.7 cm. One of the most interesting features of some mutant lines was the significant increase in 1000-seed weight over the control value, contributing to higher yield. The seed yield ranged from 7.19 to 87.18 g, and the lines GPM6 and GMP11 showed superior values compared to the control (13.6 g), indicating the positive effect of mutation in obtaining desired traits. There were promising mutants that showed higher levels of protein content among mutated lines. The β-ODAP (β-N-Oxalyl-l-α,β-diaminopropionic acid) content of grass pea seeds ranged from 0.139% to 7.39% in selected M2 population, while the control cultivar was 0.523%. GPM6 and GPM11 were important for forage breeding with their high crude protein content, low ADF (acid detergent fiber) and NDF (neutral detergent fiber) ratios, as well as high seed and biological yield. The beneficial traits of these mutants obtained in this study should be followed to integrate as genetic resources for use in grass pea improvement programs.

​Effect of Legume and Cereal Mulches on Weed Dynamics and Potato Yield

Background: Non-chemical management methods, including cover crops, has an essential role in diminishing weed infestations and reducing the use of herbicides. Methods: To evaluate the suppressive effects of four cover crop options on weed populations, a field experiment was conducted in factorial randomized bock design with three replications at Ardabil Agricultural and Natural Resources Research Station, Ardabil, Iran, in 2016. The treatments consisted of legumes and cereal cover crop as one factor (Control, Rye, Common vetch, Grass pea and Hungarian vetch) and crop management strategies as a second factor [forage use (FU) and land cover use (LCU)]. Result: Grass pea sown as fodder use strategy recorded the highest fresh and dry weight of weeds significantly. The greatest potato yield production was observed in Rye and Hungarian vetch plots, approximately 5000 kg ha-1 in both FU and land LCU strategies. Generally, it seems that Rye and Hungarian vetch could be acceptable options to use in potato production as cover crops.

Reduction in use of herbicides by combining aqueous extract of grass pea for weed management and yield of wheat

Nowadays, the increasing costs in the agricultural sector, increasing public concern about the widespread use of herbicides and the development non-chemical methods of weed control programs are alerting management. In this regard, an experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of aqueous extract of grass pea residues on weed management and crop performance of wheat. The experiment was comprised of three varieties of wheat viz., BARI Gom-30, BARI Gom-31, BARI Gom-32 and six different levels of treatments such as no weeding, recommended dose of herbicide, aqueous extraction of grass pea, 90% recommended dose + aqueous extraction of grass pea,80% recommended dose + aqueous extraction of grass pea, 70% recommended dose +aqueous extraction of grass pea, 60% recommended dose + aqueous extraction of grass pea. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Weed population, weed dry weight and weed control efficacy were significantly influenced by aqueous extract of grass pea crop residues and varieties. The highest numbers of tillers hill-1, numbers of grains spike-1, 1000 grain weight and grain yield were observed where recommended dose of herbicide was used followed by the application of 90% recommended dose +aqueous extraction of grass pea. BARI Gom-31along with 90% recommended dose +aqueous extraction of grass pea produced the highest grain and straw yield among the treatment combination. Therefore, aqueous extract of grass pea crop residues might be used as an alternative way for weed management in effective and sustainable crop production.

Association Mapping of Lathyrus sativus Disease Response to Uromyces pisi Reveals Novel Loci Underlying Partial Resistance.

Uromyces pisi ([Pers.] D.C.) Wint. is an important foliar biotrophic pathogen infecting grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.), compromising their yield stability. To date, few efforts have been made to assess the natural variation in grass pea resistance and to identify the resistance loci operating against this pathogen, limiting its efficient breeding exploitation. To overcome this knowledge gap, the genetic architecture of grass pea resistance to U. pisi was investigated using a worldwide collection of 182 accessions through a genome-wide association approach. The response of the grass pea collection to rust infection under controlled conditions and at the seedling stage did not reveal any hypersensitive response but a continuous variation for disease severity, with the identification of promising sources of partial resistance. A panel of 5,651 high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers previously generated was used to test for SNP-trait associations, based on a mixed linear model accounting for population structure. We detected seven SNP markers significantly associated with U. pisi disease severity, suggesting that partial resistance is oligogenic. Six of the associated SNP markers were located in chromosomes 4 and 6, while the remaining SNP markers had no known chromosomal position. Through comparative mapping with the pea reference genome, a total of 19 candidate genes were proposed, encoding for leucine-rich repeat, NB-ARC domain, and TGA transcription factor family, among others. Results presented in this study provided information on the availability of partial resistance in grass pea germplasm and advanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of quantitative resistance to rust in grass pea. Moreover, the detected associated SNP markers constitute promising genomic targets for the development of molecular tools to assist disease resistance precision breeding.

Selection of reference genes for quantitative real-time PCR analysis in Lathyrus sativus L. under different development stages and drought stress

Selection of reference genes for quantitative real-time PCR analysis in Lathyrus sativus L. under different development stages and drought stress

Intercropping Winter Oilseed Rape (Brassica napus L.) Has the Potential to Lessen the Impact of the Insect Pest Complex

Winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus) is a global major crop used for the production of vegetable oil. Typically sown in late summer and grown throughout winter and spring, it allows for interesting cultural practices, such as frost-sensitive intercropping with companion plants. This practice not only provides nitrogen resources much needed by the crop in the spring, but companion plants can also prevent weed growth in autumn, thereby reducing common herbicide use. Additionally, intercropping has the potential to protect the crop from insect pests. During winter 2019–2020, B. napus was grown alone (i.e., as a control) or intercropped with a mixture of faba bean (Vicia faba) and grass pea (Lathyrus sativus); because of the unusually clement weather conditions, the faba bean did not freeze, which allowed for the evaluation of the impact of these companion plants on the insect pest complex in spring. Insect damage by the beetles Psylliodes chrysocephala, Ceutorhynchus napi, and Brassicogethes aeneus was assessed in both treatments. The larval density of P. chrysocephala was significantly lower in the crop grown with service plants. Egg laying and damage by C. napi were significantly reduced when B. napus was intercropped, and the number of B. aeneus captured was significantly lower in the presence of service plants than in the control. Moreover, the yield from oilseed rape was significantly higher in the part of the field with service plants than in the pure crop control. The underlying mechanisms are only partially understood, but intercropping winter oilseed rape with frost-resistant service plants seems to be an ecologically sound practice with a very high level of potential to reduce insect pest pressure and increase crop yield. This may eventually reduce our reliance on chemical inputs in one of the most treated crops.

Response of Soil Moisture Regime of Relay Grass Pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) to Seed Priming and Foliar Fertilization in New Alluvial Zone of West Bengal

Background: Indian agricultural sector requires a huge consumption of total available water for the sake of optimum crop production. The modern era of water scarcity necessitates the escalation of water use efficiency of crops to secure higher portion of economic harvests per drop use of water in agriculture. Against this background, it is requires to introduce lesser water consuming crops like pulses, oilseeds etc with innovative and cost-effective agronomic interventions for the purpose of contributing towards conservation of more water. Methods: A field experiment was conducted at District Seed Farm, ‘A-B’ Block of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, during subsequent winter seasons of 2017-18 and 2018-19 to evaluate the effect of seed priming with molybdenum and foliar fertilization on moisture utilization of relay grass pea, variety Ratan (Bio L-212) without irrigation, using seed priming with Ammonium molybdate and foliar spray of 2% Urea and 0.5% NPK (19:19:19) in different combinations. Result: Maximum water use efficiency of 16.65 and 14.80 kg ha-1 mm-1 in the respective years were recorded with seed priming combined with twice foliar spray of 0.5% NPK (19:19:19) with the highest yield and moisture consumption. Total soil moisture content was found to be an exponential function of dry aerial biomass, but shared a polynomial correlation with leaf area index at different growth stages of grass pea. However, water use efficiency exhibited strong and polynomial correlation with seed yield and stover yield of grass pea in both the years. The combination of seed priming with Ammonium molybdate @ 0.5 g kg-1 seed along with a twice foliar spray of 0.5% NPK (19:19:19) will be a profitable technology for the relay grass pea growers in new alluvial zone of West Bengal.

Identification and characterization of the key enzyme in the biosynthesis of the neurotoxin β-ODAP in grass pea

Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is a grain legume commonly grown in Asia and Africa for food and forage. It is a highly nutritious and robust crop, capable of surviving both droughts and floods. However, it produces a neurotoxic compound, β-N-oxalyl-L-α,β-diaminopropionic acid (β-ODAP), which can cause a severe neurological disorder when consumed as a primary diet component. While the catalytic activity associated with β-ODAP formation was demonstrated more than 50 years ago, the enzyme responsible for this activity has not been identified. Here, we report on the identity, activity, 3D structure, and phylogenesis of this enzyme—β-ODAP synthase (BOS). We show that BOS belongs to the benzylalcohol O-acetyltransferase, anthocyanin O-hydroxycinnamoyltransferase, anthranilate N-hydroxycinnamoyl/benzoyltransferase, deacetylvindoline 4-O-acetyltransferase superfamily of acyltransferases and is structurally similar to hydroxycinnamoyl transferase. Using molecular docking, we propose a mechanism for its catalytic activity, and using heterologous expression in tobacco leaves (Nicotiana benthamiana), we demonstrate that expression of BOS in the presence of its substrates is sufficient for β-ODAP production in vivo. The identification of BOS may pave the way toward engineering β-ODAP–free grass pea cultivars, which are safe for human and animal consumption.

Chemical Composition, Gas Production Parameters and In Vitro Digestibility of Processed Grass Pea (Lathyrus Sativus) Residues with Some Chemicals

Chemical Composition, Gas Production Parameters and In Vitro Digestibility of Processed Grass Pea (Lathyrus Sativus) Residues with Some Chemicals

Towards establishment of a plant-based model to assess the novel anti-cancerous lead molecule(s): An in silico, in vivo and in vitro assessment of some potential anti-cancerous drugs on Lathyrus sativus L.

The drug development process is one of the important aspects of medical biology. The classical lead identification strategy in the way of drug development based on animal cell is time-consuming, expensive and involving ethical issues. The following study aims to develop a novel plant-based screening of drugs. Study shows the efficacy of certain anti-cancerous drugs (Pemetrexed, 5-Fluorouracil, Methotrexate, Topotecan and Etoposide) on a plant-based (Lathyrus sativus L.) system. Two important characteristics of cancer cells were observed in the colchicine-treated polyploid cell and the callus, where the chromosome numbers were unusual and the division of cells were uncontrolled respectively. With increasing concentration, the drugs significantly reduced the mitotic index, ploidy level and callus growth. Increasing Pemetrexed concentration decreased the plant DHFR activity. A decrease in total RNA content was observed in 5-FU and Methotrexate with increasing concentrations of the drugs. Etoposide and Topotecan inhibited plant topoisomerase II and topoisomerase I activities, which was justified through plasmid nicking and comet assay, respectively. Molecular and biochemical study revealed similar results to the animal system. Thein silicostudy had been done, and the structural similarity of drug binding domains of L. sativus and human beings had also been established. The binding site of the selected drugs to the domains of plant target proteins was also determined. Experimental results are significant in terms of the efficacy of known anti-cancerous drugs on the plant-based system. The proposed assay system is a cost-effective, convenient and less time-consuming process for primary screening of anti-cancerous lead molecules.

Hydrogen Rich Product Gas from Air–Steam Gasification of Indian Biomasses with Waste Engine Oil as Binder

Production of hydrogen rich product gas through thermochemical energy conversion having the biomass gasification is making significant inroads for green hydrogen fuel generation. In the present work, detailed physical and chemical characterization, air and air–steam biomass gasification of four biomasses i.e., Kasai Saw Dust, Lemon Grass, Wheat Straw and Pigeon Pea Seed Coat from four different group of biomass production system at different steam to biomass ratio, equivalence ratio and with and without binder is analysed. Waste engine oil as an additive/binder is used. Experimental investigation for air and air–steam gasification is applied and compared. Product gas constituents, hydrogen production is examined with different steam to biomass (S/B) ratio and equivalence ratio. The equivalence ratio varies from 0.20 to 0.40 and the S/B ratio between 0 and 4. The waste engine oil (5 and 10 wt%) is mixed with the biomass during palletization. Results show maximum H2 production and HCV of product gas at an air to fuel of 0.26 and 2.4 steam to biomass ratio. This study considers the rarely studied Indian biomasses with waste engine oil as an additive for hydrogen-rich product gas production having small scale biomass gasifier.

Evaluation of the Genetic Material of the Grass Pea (Lathyrus Sativus L.) Seed Collection in Northern Kazakhstan

One of the main agriculture fields in the Republic of Kazakhstan is the diversification of crop production based on the preservation of soil fertility and minimal cultivation technologies. Ensuring sustainable grain production of legumes will significantly increase and strengthen the role of grain production in the country's economy, will allow significant amounts of land resources to be involved in agricultural production, increase employment in the industry and increase the export potential of Kazakhstan. The purpose of this project was to study the genetic material of the seed collection using a comprehensive analysis of economically valuable traits based on phenotypic analysis. The study aimed to identify sources and donors of valuable traits to involve them in crosses and create new breeding lines. The object of the study was plants and grain of 39 samples of grass pea of different ecological and geographical origins. During the implementation of the project, methods certified and tested in research programs were used. The authors identified the earliest maturing samples: IFLA 479 (Ethiopia), IFLA 2026 (Bangladesh), IFLA 151 (Greece), IFLA 158 (Greece), IFLA 220 (Russia), IFLA 2460 (Bangladesh); samples with the largest number of beans per plant: IFLA 160 (Germany), IFLA 142 (Greece); by the number of grains per plant: IFLA 160 (Germany); by weight of 1,000 grains: IFLA 123 (Greece), IFLA 151 (Greece), IFLA 2282 (Bangladesh), IFLA 2475 (Bangladesh), IFLA 479 (Ethiopia); samples distinguished by yield: IFLA 2282, IFLA 2475, IFLA 2026, IFLA 2213 (Bangladesh) and IFLA 142 (Greece) 21.35; 20.92; 17.57; 17.19 and 16,76 kg/ha, respectively. The introduction of the most productive varieties of leguminous crops into modern production will solve the problem of proper nutrition, strengthen the fodder base, increase soil fertility, economic and social sustainability of the agricultural and industrial sectors.

Genetic diversity and population structure analysis of Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) accessions collected from North-Western Ethiopia using SSR markers

Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is a legume crop known to be an excellent source of protein, tolerant to drought, waterlogging, and salinity. The crop is used as an alternative source of protein to reduce malnutrition for resource-poor people and farmers leaving in marginal areas. However, due to the presence of a neurotoxin that causes lathyrism in the crop, it has been neglected and underutilized. As a necessary first step towards, therefore, this investigation was undertaken to assess the genetic diversity and population structure that existed within grass pea accessions collected from North-West Ethiopia using simple sequence repeat markers. Twenty-five grass pea accessions collected from the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute were planted at the College of Agricultural Science, Ebonyi State University, Nigeria. The genomic DNA was extracted using Quick-DNA™ ZR Plant/Seed Miniprep Kit and amplified in an ABI Veriti PCR machine with 10 pairs of SSR markers in IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria. Out of 10 SSR primers, only eight primers were polymorphic. A total of 41 alleles were detected with an average of 5.13. The Polymorphism Information Content and Gene Diversity values ranged from 0.074 to 0.944 with a mean of 0.474 and 0.536 respectively. The largest pairwise genetic distance (0.365) was detected between North Gondar and East Gojjam populations. The ФPT (analog of FST test) estimated through AMOVA were 0.24, 0.20, and 0.05 for within accessions, among regions, and population within regions respectively. The highest genetic differentiation value (76%) resides within accessions followed by 20% among regions. Both the population structure and cluster analyses grouped the 25 grass pea accessions into two distinct subgroups. This grouping pattern indicates the presence of gene flow among geographic regions. In general, the findings of this study indicate that despite few numbers of SSR markers it was possible to detect genetic diversity among grass pea accessions indicating the power of the SSR marker in picking up the existing genetic diversity within the studied accessions.

Evaluating warm‐season annual forages to fill summer forage gaps in short‐season climates

AbstractAnnual warm‐season forages have been used to fill productivity and nutritional gaps during summer months throughout the southeastern United States. However, their performance and nutritive value in cooler, short‐season temperate climates above 40 °N has been less well studied. This study evaluated the forage mass and nutritive value of four warm‐season annual forages {brown midrib [BMR] sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor ssp. Drummondii (L.) Moench], buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), Japanese millet [Echniochloa esculenta (A. Braun) H. Scholz], and teff [Eragrostis tef (Zuccagni) Trotter]} compared with a cool‐season small grain forage, oat (Avena sativa L.), and a cool‐season annual forage legume, chickling vetch (Lathyrus sativus L.). Monocultures of the six annual forage species, along with a mixture of all six species, were evaluated over 2 years in southeastern New Hampshire. Forage mass and nutritive value were assessed at weekly intervals over 3 weeks in July–August, approximately 4‐to‐5 weeks post‐germination. Across all three harvests, buckwheat, Japanese millet, and the summer mix produced greater forage mass than oat, while chickling vetch and teff produced the least. Conversely, chickling vetch had greater crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber compared with oat, while buckwheat had the lowest CP, in vitro true dry matter digestibility, and in vitro neutral detergent fiber digestibility of all the species assessed. Japanese millet produced greater forage mass while providing similar nutritive value as oat, making it a good alternative warm‐season annual forage for use under cool, short growing seasons.

Soil amendments for improving grain quality of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) under drought

AbstractBackgroundUse of soil amendments in agriculture is an old practice and with increase in demand of organic agriculture, it is gaining more attention. Work on the quality of the produce more particularly if crop faces any adverse situation like drought are scarce. This paper provides a comparative assessment of organic (farm yard manure) and inorganic (biochar) soil amendments on grain quality of grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) when crop faces drought. Different grain quality parameters were studied along with crop health and grain yield under the application of soil amendments during drought.ResultsBiochar and farm yard manure (FYM) lowered drought‐induced leaf water potential (upto 22%) and root nitrate reductase activity (by 62% and 67% respectively). Both inorganic and organic soil amendments improved in vitro protein digestibility (up to 16% and 37% respectively). Whereas higher grain phytic acid content (increased up to 40%) was noted from application of organic amendment (FYM) compared to inorganic (16% increase in biochar treated plots). Protein yield is enhanced (8%) under the application of Biochar‐enhanced protein yield by 8% when crops experienced drought at vegetative stage, whereas FYM reduced it by 9% under the same situation.ConclusionTested soil amendments can improve grain quality of grass pea. However, they were not equally efficient when the crop experienced drought at either stage of growth. Thus, screening of soil amendment is important when added under stressful situation like drought to ascertain better grain quality for consumers.

The identification and characterization of an oxalyl-CoA synthetase from grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.).

Oxalic acid is a small metabolite found in many plants. It serves as protection from herbivores, a chelator of metal ions, a regulator of calcium levels, and additional tasks. However, it is also a strong di-carboxylic acid that can compromise plant viability by reducing cellular pH. Several metabolic pathways have evolved to control oxalate levels in plants by enzymatic degradation. Among them is the pathway that utilizes oxalyl-CoA synthetase (OCS, EC 6.2.1.8) and ATP to convert oxalate to oxalyl-CoA. Oxalyl-CoA can then be degraded to CO2 or utilized as a precursor for the synthesis of other compounds. In grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.), a grain legume grown in Asia and Africa for human and animal consumption, the neurotoxic compound β-N-oxalyl-l-α,β-diaminopropionic acid (β-ODAP) is synthesized from oxalyl-CoA and l-α,β-diaminopropionic acid (l-DAPA). Here, we report on the identification and characterization of oxalyl CoA-synthetase from grass pea (LsOCS). The gene encoding LsOCS was amplified from grass pea, and then expressed and purified from E. coli cells as an untagged, monomeric protein of 56 kDa. Its catalytic efficiency with oxalate, KoxalateM = 71.5 ± 13.3 μM, Vmax = 8.2 ± 0.8 μmole min−1 mg−1, was similar to that of OCS homologs from Arabidopsis thaliana (AtAAE3) and Medicago truncatula (MtAAE3). The enzyme was crystalized in complex with AMP and is the first OCS whose structure was determined in the thioester-forming conformation. Finally, we propose that substituting LsOCS with an oxalate oxidase or decarboxylase may reduce the levels of β-ODAP in grass pea.

Water uptake kinetics in soaking of grass pea

Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus) is a pulse of great importance for food and feed due its high resistance to poor environmental conditions. However, it contains anti-nutritional factors and a neurotoxin, which is partially lost during soaking. A first approach to mass transfer during the soaking of grass pea was carried out by modeling the water uptake during soaking time using empirical mathematical models. The water uptake behavior was successfully described by the Peleg and the Exponential models, with these models showing several advantages when compared to the Mitscherlich and Page models. Both models estimated an increase of the equilibrium moisture content at temperatures between 50 °C and 100 °C, and detected an increasing effect of the area per volume ratio of the seed on the water uptake rate, but only at 75 °C and 100 °C. Additionally, grass pea presented a high true porosity, 13.651%, showing that it contains a large empty volume into which water can enter by capillary flow. Solids loss was observed to be high, varying from 18% at 25 °C to 44% at 100 °C for long soaking times, confirming that its effect in soaking cannot be neglected.