Flatpea Research Articles

Can the distribution patterns of plants used by humans as food give clues as to whether they are native or introduced?

The discovery that Arbutus unedo (Strawberry Tree) was probably introduced to Ireland and Wales by pre-Bronze Age copper miners about 2,400 BC (Sheehy Skeffington & Scott, 2021) has led me to consider whether the distributions of other British and Irish plants might have been extended by the activities of early humans, including hunter-gatherers. Three species have been chosen for study, Blitum bonus-henricus (L.) Rchb. (Good-King-Henry), Bistorta officinalis Delarbre (Common Bistort) and Lathyrus sylvestris L. (Narrow-leaved Everlasting-pea). These have contrasting distributions. The tetrad distributions of the three species were examined for areas where the distribution is coherent, suggesting native status, or broadly random, suggesting introductions. Individual localities were studied for a sample of vice-counties. Natural dispersal methods were also studied as were the likely uses by humans. It was concluded that the Blitum is an archaeophyte that had been introduced as a vegetable by early farmers in the Neolithic or Bronze Age. The Bistorta is a native species that survived the woodland invasion following the Ice Age in refugia in the north of England and, when woodland cover was reduced by man in the Neolithic and Bronze Age, recolonised only limited areas where it came to be used as a vegetable. It was later widely introduced elsewhere as a medicinal plant. The Lathyrus is a native species that had probably been harvested as a vegetable by man in the Mesolithic Age, and cultivated from the Neolithic or Bronze Age. Introductions from other sources were also probable.

Agroeconomic Value of Some Lathyrus and Vicia Species in the Republic of Moldova

The efficient use of the biological potential of the leguminous plants that are adapted to the local climatic conditions becomes more and more relevant. The local ecotype of the species Lathyrus sativus, Lathyrus sylvestris, Lathyrus tuberosus, Vicia hirsuta, Vicia sativa, Vicia tenuifolia maintained in monoculture on experimental land in the NBGI Chişinău, served as objects of study. We found that the dry matter of the studied whole plants contained 169-257 g/kg CP, 96-125 g/kg ash, 219-346 g/kg CF, 244-371 g/kg ADF, 427-576 g/kg NDF, 34-58 g/kg ADL, 210-313 g/kg Cel, 183-205 g/kg HC, 64-150 g/kg TSS, with 59.3-69.4% DMD, RFV = 93-151, 11.87-13.55 MJ/kg DE, 9.75-11.13 MJ/kg ME, 5.77-7.22 MJ/kg NEl. The prepared hay contained 153-264 g/kg CP, 91-135 g/kg ash, 244-356 g/kg CF, 294-393 g/kg ADF, 475-606 g/kg NDF, 36-65 g/kg ADL, 258-329 g/kg Cel, 191-214 g/kg HC, 6-99 g/kg TSS, with 59.2-66.0% DMD, RFV = 90-129, 11.57-12.95 MJ/kg DE, 9.50-11.09 MJ/kg ME, 5.51-7.10 MJ/kg NEl. The haylage is characterized by pleasant smell and color, pH = 4.40-4.95, 4.7-6.1 g/kg acetic acid, 27.9-38.0 g/kg lactic acid, butyric acid was not detected, 159-180 g/kg CP, 105-125 g/kg ash, 296-343 g/kg CF, 316-360 g/kg ADF, 460-579 g/kg NDF, 51-55 g/kg ADL, 263-309 g/kg Cel, 142-219 g/kg HC, 43-106 g/kg TSS, 60.9-64.1% DMD, RFV = 98-129, 12.03-12.61 MJ/kg DE, 9.88-10.35 MJ/kg ME, 5.89-6.37 MJ/kg NEl. The harvested fresh mass and the haylage prepared from the studied species can be used as substrates in biogas production via anaerobic digestion for renewable energy production, with carbon nitrogen (C/N) ratios 12-20. The biochemical methane potential reached 320-378 litre/kg organic matter. The investigated leguminous species are an important forage source for livestock, many birds, bees and entomophagous insects, and they are excellent plants for erosion control and for reseeding and increasing the economic value of permanent and temporary grasslands. The harvested biomass can be used as alternative fodder for farm animals or as substrates in biogas generators for the production of renewable energy.

Palaearctic seed beetle Bruchusaffinis (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae) new to North America, arrival, distribution, and autecology.

First North American records are presented for Bruchusaffinis Frölich, 1799 (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae), as confirmed by morphology from multiple sites in Canada: British Columbia, Ontario, and Québec. Diagnostic information is presented for B.affinis in North America. This insect is expected to reduce plant reproductive output in infested Lathyruslatifolius L., Lathyrussylvestris L., and other potential Lathyrus (Fabaceae) hosts. Impacts on broad bean (Viciafaba L.) production are expected to be small. Potential reproductive impact on native North American Lathyrus species remains unknown. The United States of America and Canada are now known to be home to 69-79 species of adventive Chrysomelidae including 16-18 Bruchinae. We have found two dead, teneral B.affinis individuals inside Lathyrus seeds imported from Europe, and we hypothesise that this species was introduced to Canada from Europe via seeds for planting sometime before 2007. At our study sites, Lathyrus flowering began in mid June followed by oviposition in late June with first adults emerging in late August, requiring about 60 days from egg to adult stage. Dinarmusbasalis (Rodani, 1877) (Hymenoptera, Pteromalidae) was newly recorded as parasitoid of Bruchusaffinis in Canada, and caused about 10% mortality in B.affinis at our sites.

Results of the vir collecting mission in Adygea and Kuban in september 2018

Twenty-six habitats in the Western Caucasus have been examined. Fifty-nine samples of seeds of cultivated plants, their wild relatives, and 77 herbarium specimens have been collected. Some of the samples are landraces of Phaseolus beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), spring garlic (Allium sativum L.), shallots (Allium ascalonicum L.), hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L. var. longum (DC.) Sendtn.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.), grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.), etc. Another part of the samples are cultivated plants forms of folk breeding, e.g., cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.), etc. Samples of such wild relatives of cultivated plants as Lactuca serriola L., Prunus spinosa L., Cicerbita racemosa (Willd.) Beauverd, Asclepias syriaca L., Lathyrus sylvestris L., etc. were included in the VIR collections.

SPECIES DIVERSITY OF THE VIR COLLECTION OF GRAIN LEGUME GENETIC RESOURCES AND ITS USE IN DOMESTIC BREEDING

The world’s genebanks hold 7.5 million germplasm accessions of plant genetic resources (PGR). One of the qualitative characteristics of the PGR collections is the species diversity, in particular, the presence of crop wild relatives (CWR), which makes it possible to widen the use of gene pools in the breeding process. The collection of the Vavilov Institute (VIR) is one of the most diverse holdings in the number of plant species. A survey is provided here of the species diversity in VIR’s grain legume collection, and its use in domestic breeding practice is analyzed. Comparison of this diversity with the state of PGR exploitation in the world makes it possible to assess the prospects of more efficient utilization of gene pool potential, especially for species that are unjustifiably cultivated on a too small scale or even neglected as crops in this country. The VIR collection of grain legumes incorporates 196 species from 9 genera of the family Fabaceae. This number includes cultigens and CWR. The cultivars of 21 species of grain legumes listed in the State Register of Breeding Achievements (2018) are adapted to the soil and climate conditions of this country. However, the species diversity of the collection could be used more efficiently in domestic plant breeding and crop production. This concerns both underutilized crops in Russia (broad beans, lima beans and grass pea) and those whose adaptive potential is adjusted only to certain and limited areas of the Russian Federation (Tepary beans and Vigna spp.). It is also necessary to exploit more efficiently species of the wild flora, both for direct utilization as pastures, green manure or phytoremediation crops and for introgressive breeding and domestication (Vicia benghalensis L., V. narbonensis L., Lathyrus sylvestris L., Lupinus hartwegii Lindl., etc.). Incorporation of crop wild relatives into the breeding process is promising for crop improvement in a number of aspects: for example, to increase resistance to diseases, pests, abiotic stressors, etc.

Bazı Lathyrus L. Türlerinin Yağda Çözünen Vitamin İçerikleri

In the present study, lipide-soluble vitamin contents in the seeds of the Lathyrus L. taxa (Lathyrus sylvestris L., Lathyrus sphaericus Retz.; Lathyrus pratensis L., L. aphaca L. var. modestus P.H., L. aphaca L. var. biflorus Post., L. aphaca var. pseudoaphaca (Boiss.) P.H. Davis, Lathyrus odoratus L., Lathyrus hierosolymitanus Boiss., Lathyrus tauricola P.H. Davis) were determined by using HPLC. Data obtained from present study showed that studied Lathyrus taxa have high beta-caroten content (146,5±1,73-375,0±3,35 µg/g). present study found that Lathyrus pratensis has the higesht gamma-tocopherol content (158,9±3,65 µg/g) whilst L. aphaca var. pseudoaphaca (Boiss.) P.H. Davis has highest D3 vitamin content (43,2±2,18 µg/g) among studied taxa. However, it was found that the r-tocopherol, a-tocopherol, a-tocopherol acetate, retinol, retinol acetate, D2 and K1 vitamins of studied Lathyrus taxa were lowest.

БИОЛОГИЧЕСКИ АКТИВНЫЕ ВЕЩЕСТВА НЕКОТОРЫХ ВИДОВ РОДА LATHYRUS L.

Background . Many of perennial and annual Lathyrus species have economic significance and are used of the world's agriculture. They are often cultivated as forage crops. An important role in developing new forage crops is given to selection for an increased quality of green biomass. Studying biologically active substances (BAS) in green matter of different Lathyrus varieties is needed to search for accessions with as high nutritional value as possible that can serve as sources of BAS. Materials and methods . Thirty-five accessions representing 6 species (L. sativus L., L. vernus (L.) Bernh., L. latifolius L., L. tuberosus L., L. linifolius (Reichard) Bassler, L. sylvestris L.) of the genus Lathyrus L. from the VIR collection were studied. BAS were detected in the green biomass of the accessions in an early phase of bean ripening. The accessions were analyzed by VIR-approved methods (Ermakov et al., 1987). The qualitative and quantitative analyses of phenolic compounds was performed by means of gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC-MS Agilent 6850, USA). Results. The content of ascorbic acid, carotenoids, carotenes, в-carotene, chlorophylls a and b, phenolic compounds in the Lathyrus species was studied for the first time. Significant interspecific and intervarietal differences were identified in the BAS content of green matter. The range of variability was as follows: ascorbic acid: 39.0-133.0; chlorophylls a and b: 55.5-365.5; carotenoids: 10.6-44.5; carotenes: 3.630.0; в-carotene: 2.6-24.8; phenols: 4.4-199.4 mg/100g of raw material. The highest rates were observed in L. linifolius and L. latifolius accessions. Conclusion. Green biomass of the studied Lathyrus accessions was balanced in the BAS content and showed high nutritive value. All studied species are of interest for forage crop breeding. The accessions of flat pea (L. sylvestris) and grass pea (L. sativus) are promising for practical use in feed production. L. linifolius and L. latifolius have good prospects as sources of biologically active substances.

Molecular characterization of Lathyrus species using chloroplast DNA trnH-psbA

Lathyrus L. is an important genus contributing in human food, animal feed and fodder. The genetic variation is studied among and within six species sampled over a large geographical area: Lathyrus cicera, Lathyrus sativus, Lathyrus sylvestris, Lathyrus tuberosus, Lathyrus ochrus and Lathyrus aphaca. The phylogenetic relationship among these species was assessed using sequences of chloroplast DNA trnH-psbA (intergenic spacer). The highly polymorphic spacer' length was 330 bp. The phylogenetic analyses using Maximum Parsimony and Genetic Distances, agreed with the universal taxonomy of Kupicha. L. sativus and L. cicera could be considered as sister species, sharing a common ancestor.

Cladistic and phenetic analyses of relationships in Vicia subgenus Cracca (Fabaceae) based on morphological data

AbstractVariation of 89 multistate morphological characters in 44 species of Vicia subgen. Cracca was investigated with cladistic and phenetic methods using Lathyrus sylvestris and Pisum elatius as outgroups. The subgenus appears monophyletic; the Ervum group is supported as a section. Sections Vicilla and Cassubicae appear monophyletic when V. amoena is moved to section Cassubicae. Placement of V. biennis in a separate section is supported, sections Variegatae and Panduratae are nested in section Cracca, and section Pedunculatae is not supported as monophyletic. Use of different outgroups results in slightly different substructures for sect. Cracca.

Living Mulches of Legumes in Imidazolinone‐Resistant Corn

Living mulches of legumes are permanent cover crops that can fix atmospheric N and improve soil quality. The objectives of this study were to determine effects of living mulches on corn (Zea mays L.) yield and N fertilizer response and on soil quality. In this split‐plot design, living mulches were main plots and N rates (0–225 kg ha−1 N) subplots. Living mulches were crownvetch (Coronilla varia L.) cultivars Penngift and Pennmulch, flatpea (Lathyrus sylvestris L.) cultivar Lathco, birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) cultivars Empire and Steadfast, hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), and galega (Galega officinalis L.). The crop was rainfed imidazolinone (IMI)‐resistant corn on a Murrill silt loam (Typic Hapludult) in central Pennsylvania. Only crownvetch, flatpea, and birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) cultivars survived the herbicide program. Living mulches did not reduce corn yields, except in the dry year of 1995. The average N fertilizer equivalency of Penngift, Pennmulch, Empire, Steadfast, and Lathco was 71, 45, 44, 13, and 50 kg ha−1 yr−1, respectively, at 0 N rates. Their N fertilizer equivalency decreased to zero, however, with increasing N fertilizer rates. Bulk density, soil organic C content, and infiltration rate were not significantly improved after 10 yr of Penngift living mulch. When suppressed severely, crownvetch, BFT, and flatpea can be managed without yield reduction to IMI‐resistant corn, but then N contribution to corn and soil quality benefits will be limited. For maximum corn yield, full N rates are required with these living mulches.

PCB Dissipation and Microbial Community Analysis in Rhizosphere Soil Under Substrate Amendment Conditions

ABSTRACT Dissipations of PCB in soils under factorial combinations of soil amendment (biphenyl, pine needles, orange peels, unamended) and planting (reed canarygrass, flat pea, burr medic, unplanted) regimes were evaluated in relation to carbon substrate utilization patterns of corresponding soil microbial populations. We examined potential differences among microbial communities under the treatments and then related the differences to PCB dissipation. Based on univariate analysis of treatment results, three PCB dissipation groups were identified. They were (1) high: 50% or more loss of an original 50 mg/kg aroclor 1248 after 100 d, (2) medium: 40 to 50% loss, and (3) low: <20% loss. A canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) was performed on the data with the PCB dissipation grouping as the class variables and the carbon substrates as exploratory variables so as to relate PCB dissipation to C substrate use. The three PCB dissipation groups were reconstructed based on a subset of C substrates. The CDA identified C substrates that were most important in differentiating between population communities under the various treatments. The potential importance of the ability to correlate community substrate utilization to contaminant dissipation is discussed.

Acetyldiaminobutanoic acid, a potential lathyrogenic amino acid in leaves of Acacia angustissima

Acacia angustissima has potential in agroforestry systems for forage production in tropical environments. However, feeding trials indicate that the leaves are potentially toxic. Signs of toxicity in sheep are similar to those presented by sheep fed flatpea (Lathyrus sylvestris) hay which contains a high concentration of the non-protein amino acid 2,4-diaminobutanoic acid (DABA). Cation exchange chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and NMR were used to isolate and identify the non-protein amino acid in A angustissima leaves. A quantitative HPLC method was used to determine the content of the non-protein amino acid in leaves from 20 accessions. The non-protein amino acid was identified as 4-N-acetyl-2,4-diaminobutanoic acid (ADAB), previously reported to occur in seeds. The average and range in ADAB content were 16.8 and 10.6–25.4 mg g−1 respectively. This content of ADAB is higher than the levels of DABA in flatpea hay that are toxic to sheep. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry

ENHANCING DISSIPATION OF AROCLOR 1248 (PCB) USING SUBSTRATE AMENDMENT IN RHIZOSPHERE SOIL

Soils contaminated in the laboratory with Aroclor 1248 (PCB) were amended with biphenyl and plant residues that are known to induce PCB degradation, and planted with crops that inherently stimulated PCB dissipation in a previous study to determine if the combination of soil amendment and planting could further enhance PCB dissipation beyond that shown by planting alone. The plants used were flat pea (Lathyrus sylvestris), reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), and burr medic (Medicago polymorpha). They were grown in laboratory microcosms at a 12 h photoperiod in soil containing 50 mg/kg PCB. Portions of soil were amended with biphenyl (1000 mg/kg), ground pine needles, or orange peels (2% w/w), and a portion was left unamended to serve as control. After nearly 100 d, PCB recoveries ranged from 69% of initial applications in unplanted soil to 65, 59 and 55% of initial levels in soils that were unamended but planted with flat pea, reed canarygrass and burr medic respectively. PCB recoveries in soils that were amended, but left unplanted ranged from 59% of initial applications in pine needle amended-soil to 48 and 45% in biphenyl- and orange peel-amended soils respectively. Combinations of soil amendment and planting enhanced PCB dissipation in soil compared to planting alone, except the combination of biphenyl amendment and planting with burr medic, where the soil still contained nearly 80% of the initial PCB additions after about 100 d. Estimates of bacterial populations were generally slightly to significantly higher in orange peel and biphenyl-amended soil than in unamended soil, except in biphenyl-amended soil that was planted with burr medic, where bacterial counts were significantly lower than in most of the other treatment combinations.

Acetyldiaminobutanoic acid, a potential lathyrogenic amino acid in leaves of Acacia angustissima

AbstractAcacia angustissima has potential in agroforestry systems for forage production in tropical environments. However, feeding trials indicate that the leaves are potentially toxic. Signs of toxicity in sheep are similar to those presented by sheep fed flatpea (Lathyrus sylvestris) hay which contains a high concentration of the non‐protein amino acid 2,4‐diaminobutanoic acid (DABA). Cation exchange chromatography, high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and NMR were used to isolate and identify the non‐protein amino acid in A angustissima leaves. A quantitative HPLC method was used to determine the content of the non‐protein amino acid in leaves from 20 accessions. The non‐protein amino acid was identified as 4‐N‐acetyl‐2,4‐diaminobutanoic acid (ADAB), previously reported to occur in seeds. The average and range in ADAB content were 16.8 and 10.6–25.4 mg g−1 respectively. This content of ADAB is higher than the levels of DABA in flatpea hay that are toxic to sheep.© 2001 Society of Chemical Industry

Feasibility of using forage grasses and legumes for phytoremediation of organic pollutants

Selected forage and soil conservation grasses and legumes were evaluated in the greenhouse for their abilities to stimulate dissipation of PCB, TNT, and pyrene in a soil. The grasses tested were tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb), reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), switchgrass (Panicum variegatum L.), and deertongue (Panicum clandestinum L.). The legumes were alfalfa (Medicago sauva L.), crownvetch (Coronilla varia L.), sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata Dum‐Cours.), and flatpea (Wagner pea) (Lathyrus sylvestris L). The plants were grown in 13.5x15.0 cm pots containing soils that were fortified with 100 mg/kg nominal concentrations of the respective compounds and aged in the laboratory. After six months, 51% or less of an initial 100 mg/kg dose of aroclor 1248 was recovered from soils planted with reed canarygrass, switchgrass, and flatpea. Between 64–70% of the initial dose was recovered from soils planted with tall fescue, deer tongue, and sericea lespedeza, and about 80 % or more was recovered from soils that were planted with alfalfa and crownvetch as well as soil that was left implanted. During the same period, <0.5% of the initial dose of TNT and <3% of pyrene were recovered from soils that were fortified with those compounds, including unplanted controls. Laboratory flask experiments that compared the dissipation of TNT and pyrene in natural soils and soils containing microbial inhibitor suggested that microbial transformation accounted for a major portion of the loss of TNT and pyrene in this soil. A comparison of the dissipation of TNT and pyrene in two different soils reinforces previously well‐documented strong role of organic matter in the overall fate of TNT and pyrene in soil.

THE EVOLVING GENETIC HISTORY OF A POPULATION OF LATHYRUS SYLVESTRIS: EVIDENCE FROM TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL GENETIC STRUCTURE.

We analyze patterns of genetic microdifferentiation within a natural population of Lathyrus sylvestris, a perennial herb with both sexual reproduction and clonal growth. In a population from the northern foothills of the Pyrénées in southwestern France, a combined demographic and genetic investigation enabled the study not only of spatial genetic structure of the population, but also of the history of the population's spatial genetic structure over time. Excavation of all individuals allowed identification of clonemates. Age of each individual was determined by counting annual growth rings in the taproot, a method tested with individuals of known age planted in experimental gardens. Each individual was mapped, and genotypes of all individuals were determined using allozyme markers for a number of polymorphic loci. Distribution patterns and spatial genetic structure, both for all individuals and for different age classes, were analyzed using spatial autocorrelation statistics (Geary's Index, Moran's Index). Patterns of gene flow within the population were also studied using F-statistics and tests for random associations of alleles. Because age, allele frequencies, and location were known for each individual, it was possible to study how spatial genetic structure changed over time. Results from all these diverse approaches are consistent with one another, and clearly show the following: (1) founder effects, with the study transect being first colonized by individuals at either end of the transect that were homozygous for different alleles at one marker locus; (2) a difference in spatial distribution of individuals originated from sexual reproduction (seedlings) and from clonal growth (connected individuals); (3) restricted gene flow, due to inbreeding among related, clumped individuals; and (4) increase in heterozygote deficit within the youngest cohort of individuals. The results indicate that genetic differentiation in time was much less marked than differentiation in space. Nevertheless, the results revealed that the studied population is experiencing demographic and genetic variation in time, suggesting that it is not at equilibrium. On the one hand, spatial structuring is becoming less marked due to the recombination of founder genotypes; on the other hand, as establishment of new individuals increases, a new spatial structure emerges due to mating between relatives.

The Evolving Genetic History of a Population of Lathyrus sylvestris: Evidence From Temporal and Spatial Genetic Structure

The Evolving Genetic History of a Population of Lathyrus sylvestris: Evidence From Temporal and Spatial Genetic Structure

Performance of Feeder Cattle Offered a Diet Containing Early-Bloom Stage Flatpea Silage

Flatpea (Lathyrus sylvestris L.) is a long-lived, stress-tolerant, perennial legume that is generally used as a conservation cover crop. The abundant forage produced by this species is rich in protein, but it also contains 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (DABA), a neurotoxic nonprotein amino acid. No signs of flatpea toxicity, however, have been reported for cattle consuming flatpea herbage. A study was conducted to compare the performance of growing cattle (Bos taurus) fed a diet containing early-bloom stage flatpea silage with that of cattle fed a corresponding diet containing alfalfa (Medicago saliva L.). In a randomized complete block, unbalanced design with unequal replication, 52 crossbred cattle (steers and heifers) that had not previously consumed flatpea were blocked by sex and assigned by weight to pens (four pens of steers and three pens of heifers) of seven or eight animals each. Animals had ad libitum access to watcr and diets consisting of 30% (dry matter [DM] basis) legume ('Lathco' flatpea or 'Vernal' alfalfa) silage, 30% timothy (Phleum pratense L. 'Climax') silage, and 40% grain (67% oats [Avena sativa L.], 33% corn [Zea mays L.]) for 86 d. Alfalfa and flatpea silages were of similar chemical composition and in vitro organic matter disappearance (IVOMD). Flatpea silage contained 1.1% DABA (DM basis), which did not adversely affect intake of the diet. At the conclusion of the trial (d 86), average daily gain (ADG) was approximately 10% less (P 0.10), requiring 7 to 10% more feed (on an as-fed basis) per pound of gain than animals offered the alfalfa diet. The observed weight gains and the absence of signs of flatpea toxicity during the study suggest that flatpea could be a satisfactory substitute for alfalfa in diets for growing beef cattle in regions where edaphic constraints limit alfalfa production. protect erodible surfaces. Its potential as a forage species has long been recognized (Smyth, 1892), but flatpea has had limited use as a livestock feed. Flatpea herbage contains DABA, a neurotoxic amino acid, that can occur at levels approaching 3.0% of the DM (Ressler, 1964; Foster, 1990a; Turner et al., 1994). Feeding studies have suggested that flatpea is toxic to sheep (Ovis aries) when DABA levels are greater than approximately 1.0% of the herbage DM (Rasmussen et al., 1992; Rasmussen et al., 1993; Rowe et al., 1993; Turner et al., 1994). Clinical signs of flatpea toxicosis included lethargy and diminished responsiveness; pacing, circling, and uncoordinated, often violent, spasmatic movements; a tendency to press the head against hard objects; excessive salivation; teeth grinding; seizures; and death (Rasmussen et al., 1993; Rowe et al., 1993). Such signs have not been reported for cattle consuming flatpea herbage (Foster, 1990a), even when the diet included flatpea hay (2.5% DABA, DM basis) or silage (3.2% DABA, DM basis) that was lethal to sheep (Turner et al., 1994; Foster, 1994, unpublished data). Average daily gain by steers and heifers grazed continuously on a flatpea pasture in western Washington was high (2.3-2.9 lb/head per d) early in the season, but decreased rapidly as the season advanced (Grunder and Dickson, 1948). Conserving flatpea forage as hay can be difficult because the large volume of herbage is slow to cure. In general, ensiling direct-cut or wilted herbage is an alternative to hay making. The objective of our study was to assess the performance by growing cattle offered diets containing early-bloom stage flatpea silage to determine whether flatpea could be a viable substitute for alfalfa in diets for growing beef cattle.

Fatty acid composition and tocopherol content of some legume seeds

Nine samples of the legume seeds of horse bean ( Vicia faba var. minor), common bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris), broad bean ( Vicia faba var. maior), field pea ( Pisum arvence), flat pea ( Lathyrus sativus), kidney bean ( Phaseolus coccineus), lentil ( Lens culinaris), pea ( Pisum sativum) and soya bean ( Glycine max) were examined for chemical composition, fatty acid composition and tocopherol content. The highest crude protein levels were found in soya bean (37.6% of dry matter, DM) and broad bean (32.4% of DM). Most of the legume seeds contained a low level of crude fat, from 1.7% of DM in horse bean to 4.5% of DM in kidney bean. The only exception was soya bean with a crude fat content of 22.9% of DM. The legume seeds contained profitable composition of polyunsaturated fatty acids: linoleic (18:2) from 21% in field pea to 53% in soya bean, and linolenic (18:3) from 4% in broad bean to 22% kidney bean. The highest activity of vitamin E was noted in soya bean (187 i.u. kg −1 seeds); other legume seeds had intermediate activity between 12 i.u. kg −1 for common bean and 44 i.u. kg for broad bean. The activity of vitamin E in the oil was from 470 i.u. kg −1 kidney bean to 2560 i.u. kg −1 horse bean.

Discriminant alleles and discriminant analysis: efficient characters to separate closely related species: the example of Lathyrus latifolius L. and Lathyrus sylvestris L. (Leguminosae)

VALERO, M. & HOSSAERT-MCKEY, M., 1991. Discriminant alleles and discriminant analysis: efficient characters to separate closely related species: the example of Lathyrus latifolius L. and Lathyrus sylvestris L. (Leguminosae). Two species of Lathyrus (L. latifolius and L. sylvestris) were compared using allozymes and quantitative vegetative and reproductive traits. The variation in these characters was analysed in several populations of the two species located in south-western, central and northern France. In a site where the two species are syrapatric, intermediate plants are described. The two species can be identified by discriminant alleles. The genetic structure observed for intermediate plants in the zone of sympatry indicates, paradoxically, the occurrence of a strong reproductive barrier between the two species. The discriminant analysis performed on the quantitative traits readily distinguishes the two species and confirms the reproductive isolation between them. The quantitative character that best discriminates between the species is the number of ovules per ovary, a variable which has non-overlapping distributions in the two species. We discuss how this character, usually ignored, may be better for distinguishing species than some traditionally used reproductive traits such as the number of seeds per fruit. The vegetative traits studied (e.g. degree and intensity of branching) also differ significantly between the two species. Divergent evolution of these traits in the two species is discussed in relation to differences in the original habitats of the two species.