Genetics and breeding of grasspea [Lathyrus sativus].
1995
Telaye A. | Dibabe A. | Hundie B.
This paper deals with various aspects of genetic stock utilization and the findings to date in the above research activities, in addition to the directions for future research. Inappropriate agronomic practices, diseases and insect pests limit the yield of grasspea and thus its economic returns. The major restriction of grasspea production is a disorder called lathyrism in humans and domestic animals, brought about when the seeds are consumed in excess. The risk of lathyrism might be reduced if the B-N-oxalyl amino-L-alanine (BOAA) alkaloid content in grasspea seed is reduced. Research in 1992/93 identified lines from Canada and Ethiopian landraces with low BOAA content. Hybridization programs are underway with exotic lines from ICARDA and Canada. Screening for agronomic performance and transfer of the gene(s) responsible for low BOAA to the Ethiopian landraces are being done at Adet and Holetta Research Centers. The genetic improvement of grasspea is continued since 1987 in Adet. The direction and scope of this program have to be defined in the future, but the development of cultivars with low BOAA content and with fairly good grain yields is the main objective to reduce and combat the menace of lathyrism.
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