In the face of climate change, farmers are constantly seeking resilient crops that can thrive in challenging environments. A recent study published in the *Journal of Agriculture and Food Research* offers a promising avenue for improving grass pea (Lathyrus sativus), a nutrient-rich but often overlooked legume. The research, led by Letice Gonçalves from ITQB NOVA in Portugal, explores the potential of interspecific hybridization between grass pea and its wild relative, Lathyrus cicera, to combine desirable traits for better adaptation and quality.
Grass pea is known for its resilience to harsh conditions, but its use has been limited due to low yields and the presence of the neurotoxin β-ODAP. Lathyrus cicera, on the other hand, shows lower ODAP contents, earliness, and better adaptation to low-rainfall environments. By crossing these two species, researchers have developed hybrid-derived lines that could offer the best of both worlds.
“Through sexual crossing, we were able to develop and select hybrid-derived lines based on fertility and adaptation,” Gonçalves explains. “These lines were then evaluated over three seasons in Mediterranean environments, assessing a range of traits including growth, cycle duration, yield, seed type, pest susceptibility, and seed quality.”
The study found that selection and backcrossing resulted in introgressed plants that resembled L. sativus parents in flower and seed coat color. However, for some traits, the hybrids were different from these parents. Notably, the introgression of L. cicera phenotypes was observed in cycle duration-related traits, with several hybrid-derived lines maturing earlier than L. sativus parents but similar to or later than L. cicera parents.
One of the most exciting findings was the detection of transgressive segregation for the quality-related trait L-homoarginine seed content. One hybrid-derived line depicted higher content than any parent, suggesting the potential for enhanced nutritional value. Transgressive segregation was also detected for some seed type-related traits, with hybrid-derived lines depicting longer or flatter seeds than any parent.
The implications of this research are significant for the agricultural sector. By introgressing beneficial alleles from L. cicera into the L. sativus background, researchers have demonstrated a reliable approach to create variability and combine desirable quality and adaptive traits. This could pave the way for the development of new grass pea varieties that are not only more resilient to climate change but also offer improved nutritional benefits.
As climate change continues to pose challenges to agriculture, the need for resilient and high-quality crops has never been greater. The work of Gonçalves and her team offers a promising path forward, highlighting the potential of interspecific hybridization to address these pressing issues. With further research and development, these hybrid-derived lines could play a crucial role in shaping the future of agriculture under Mediterranean conditions and beyond.