Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.): orphan crop, nutraceutical or just plain food?

Abstract

Main conclusion Although grass pea is an environmentally successful robust legume with major traits of interest for food and nutrition security, the genetic potential of this orphan crop has long been neglected. Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is a Neolithic plant that has survived millennia of cultivation and has spread over three continents. It is a robust legume crop that is considered one of the most resilient to climate changes and to be survival food during drought-triggered famines. The hardy penetrating root system allows the cultivation of grass pea in various soil types, including marginal ones. As an efficient nitrogen fixer, it meets its own nitrogen requirements and positively benefits subsequent crops. However, already in ancient India and Greece, overconsumption of the seeds and a crippling neurological disorder, later coined neurolathyrism, had been linked. Overemphasis of their suspected toxic properties has led to disregard the plant's exceptionally positive agronomic properties and dietary advantages. In normal socioeconomic and environmental situations, in which grass pea is part of a balanced diet, neurolathyrism is virtually non-existent. The etiology of neurolathyrism has been oversimplified and the deficiency in methionine in the diet has been overlooked. In view of the global climate change, this very adaptable and nutritious orphan crop deserves more attention. Grass pea can become a wonder crop if the double stigma on its reputation as a toxic plant and as food of the poor can be disregarded. Additionally, recent research has exposed the potential of grass pea as a health-promoting nutraceutical. Development of varieties with an improved balance in essential amino acids and diet may be relevant to enhance the nutritional value without jeopardizing the multiple stress tolerance of this promising crop.

Adaptation of Grass Pea (Lathyrus sativus) to Mediterranean Environments

“…It is still grown in 1.5 Mha, mainly in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, but is in regression in Mediterranean environments. As world demand for legume protein increases, the rusticity of grass pea recalls its potential for cropping systems in marginal environments as those in Mediterranean cropping systems [2][3][4][5][6]. This called for a renewed interest to gather and characterize the adaptation of landraces and to submit them to breeding in order to exploit the potential of the species [7][8][9][10][11].…”

“…However, grass pea suffers from a reputation of being toxic, because under certain circumstances its overconsumption has caused neurolathyrism, a neurodegenerative disease in humans and domestic animals, due to its content of the neuroexcitatory β-N-oxalyl-l-α,β-diaminopropionic acid (β-ODAP) [6,12]. This directed most efforts in breeding to the development of cultivars with a low β-ODAP [1,13].…”

Ribosomal DNA localization on Lathyrus species chromosomes by FISH

“…odoratus [ 3 , 4 ]. Grass pea ( L. sativus L.) is the most investigated Lathyrus species due to its importance as human consumption plant, it has survived and spread over three continents and considered one of the most resistant plant species to environmental stress and climate changes [ 5 – 7 ].…”

The role of Lathyrus sativus flower surface wax in short-range attraction and stimulant for nymph laying by an adult viviparous aphid

“…Lathyrus sativus L. (Fabaceae), commonly known as grass pea, is grown in India, Bangladesh, North America, temperate South America, Ethiopia and East Africa (Yan et al ., 2006; Girma and Korbu, 2012; Vaz Patto and Rubiales, 2014; Dixit et al ., 2016). The plant is capable of growing in varying climatic conditions such as areas with low rainfall to the rice-fields containing heavy clay (Lambein et al ., 2019). According to Sammour (2014), south Asia and east Africa mainly contributes ca.…”