Evaluation of selected mutants of grasspea (<i>Lathyrus sativus</i> L.) var. Krab as an ingredient in broiler chicken diet

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the nutritional value of Lathyrus sativus var. Krab in broiler chickens as well as that of 3 mutants (K-12, K-63 and K-64) developed from var. Krab by mutagenic treatment and selection towards improved agronomic traits. The proximal composition of mutants was similar to that of var. Krab with the exception of a higher protein content in K-12, and lower β-N-oxalyl-L-α,β-diaminopropionic acid (ODAP) and tannin contents in the mutants. Trypsin inhibitor activity ranged from 57 to 68 mg/g crude protein (CP) in mutants, and equaled 72 mg/g CP in Krab variety seeds.Four test diets composed using the basal diet and evaluated grasspea seeds at a proportion of 6:4 were used in the balance experiment; the control diet without grasspea, and 4 isonitrogenous diets containing 10% grasspea were used in the growth experiment. Apparent total tract protein digestibility and metabolizable energy in mutant K-12 equaled 72% and 9.8 MJ ME/kg DM, respectively, and were similar as in var. Krab but higher than in mutants K-63 and K-64 (P<0.05). In chickens fed from day 8 to 40 of age diets containing 10% grasspea, performance, tibia ash content, and tibia ultimate strength did not differ from the control group. However, birds fed the diet with var. Krab seeds had enlarged pancreases (P<0.05) and livers in comparison with controls; the weight of these organs was lower (P<0.05) in groups fed mutant seeds. Bone and joint deformations indicative of neurolathyrism were found in four birds from the group fed var. Krab, while they were not seen in birds fed the diets with seeds from mutants. 3 Corresponding author: e-mail: s.smulikowska@ifzz.pan.pl Journal of Animal and Feed Sciences, 17, 2008, 75-87 GRASSPEA MUTANTS FOR BROILER CHICKENSThe results indicate that mutagenic treatment of Lathyrus sativus can have a positive effect on the nutritional quality of seeds.

Genetics and breeding for climate change in Orphan crops

“…Grass pea is cultivated for its seeds as a healthy food (Lambein et al 2019) and feed (Smulikowska et al 2008), as well as for fodder (Singh and Roy 2013). It is a hardy and resilient crop (Campbell 1997) that is rarely affected by pests and diseases (Rahman et al 1995) and is one of the most climate and environmental change tolerant legumes (Kislev 1989;Yunus and Jackson 1991;Chowdhury and Slinkard 2000;Vaz Patto et al 2006).…”

Genetic patterns in the Lathyrus pannonicus complex (Fabaceae) reflect ecological differentiation rather than biogeography and traditional subspecific division

“…Lathyrus sativus L., the grass pea, has traditionally been cultivated as food for humans and animals (e.g. Mera et al ., 2000; Ur‐Rehman et al ., 2008; Smulikowska et al ., 2008) in North Africa, South Asia, (eastern) Europe and South America, especially in areas affected by frequent or widespread famines (e.g. mediaeval Europe, Barrow, Simpson & Miller, 1974; modern Ethiopia, Getahun et al ., 2005; Bangladesh, Haque et al ., 1996).…”