Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is an important legume crop grown mainly in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. This underutilized legume can withstand harsh environmental conditions including drought and flooding. During drought-induced famines, this protein-rich legume serves as a food source for poor farmers when other crops fail under harsh environmental conditions; however, its use is limit...

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The phylogenetic relationships among 27 vetch species belonging to the subgenus Cracca of the genus Vicia were studied in comparison with three species of Lathyrus section Lathyrus on the basis of isozyme variation. METHODS Isozymes encoded by 15 putative loci of ten enzymes were resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isozyme variation was analysed by using par...

Toxic components of natural foodstuffs are discussed, with special reference to lathyrogens, pressor amines, azoxyglycosides, and labile sulfur compounds. The osteolathyrogen, gamma-glutamyl-beta-aminopropionitrile, in sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) seeds induces skeletal deformities and aortic rupture, probably by interfering with normal maturation of collagen fibres. Neurolathyrism in man may ...

In 1985 French investigators discovered the association of TSP with HTLV-I, a retrovirus discovered in USA in 1980. A few months after the French publication in 1985 TSP was also associated with HTLV-I in Colombia and Jamaica. In 1986 Japanese researchers published the association of HTLV-I with a similar syndrome and named the disease as HAM (HTLV-I Associated Myelopathy). Since 1988 the World...

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES Neurolathyrism is a non progressive motor neuron disorder engendered by the prolonged over-consumption of Lathyrus sativus (grass pea) seeds which contain a neurotoxic amino acid, β-N oxalyl- L-α, β-diaminopropionic acid (β-ODAP). It is characterized by spastic paraparesis in the hind limbs. The present study was conducted in 105 households (HHs) of Gondia district in Ma...

Significant increases in upa armigera in a wind-tunnel were obtained with air entrained headspace samples of African marigold, Tagetes erecta, flowers (P=0.014), and sweet pea, Lathyrus odoratus, flowers (P=0.047). Identification of the compounds contained in the Porapak Q extracts was done by GC-MS. Direct EAG was used to screen for the most electrophysiologically active natural extracts and G...

Tribes Trifolieae and Vicieae along with Cicereae and Galega (Galegeae) form a monophyletic group that has been designated informally as the “vicioid clade”. There is good support from analyses of various molecular data for the clade itself, but relationships of genera within the clade are not fully understood nor has monophyly of the tribes and genera been fully tested. Sequences of the plasti...

Grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.) is probably the most drought tolerant legume crop and it is also resistant to moderate salinity. In drought prone areas the plant is considered an insurance crop for subsistence farmers. During drought-triggered famines, grass pea can be the only food available and a lifesaver. In addition, grass pea is valuable for its abundant nutrients, especially protein and ...