I C A R D A    N e w s

INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN THE DRY AREAS

P.O. Box 5466, Aleppo, Syria
Phone: (963-21) 2213433, 2213477, 2225112, 2225012
Fax: (963-21) 2213490, 2225105;
E-mail: ICARDA@CGIAR.ORG
Website: www.icarda.cgiar.org
For more information contact: Dr Surendra Varma (s.varma@CGIAR.ORG)
 
 
1 May 2005
New, Low-Neurotoxin Grass Pea Variety Breaks
the Fear of Paralysis in Ethiopia
ICARDA and Ethiopian researchers discuss the performance of improved grass pea lines with farmers in Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization (EARO) recently announced the release of its first low neurotoxin variety of grass pea, safe for human consumption. Dr Seid Kamal, Head, Crops Section, EARO, sent this good news to Dr Ali Abd El-Moneim, Senior Forage Breeder, ICARDA. "The new variety has broken the fear of paralysis among Ethiopians," he said.

The new variety, ‘Wasie,’ is derived from grass pea germplasm supplied to EARO in 1999/2000 as International Lathyrus Adaptation Trials (ILAT). ‘Wasie’ yields 1.67 tons/ha without any inputs, is moderately resistant to powdery mildew disease, and matures earlier than local varieties. The variety’s low neurotoxin content (0.08%), compared with 0.4% in the local check, will reduce the number of lathyrism cases, an irreversible paralysis of the lower limbs that occurs when grass pea is consumed as a major portion of the diet over a 3-4 month period. The variety is recommended for cultivation in mid– to high–altitude areas (1700-2800 m.a.s.l).

ICARDA would like to congratulate EARO scientists involved in grass pea improvement for their dedication and hard work that led to the release of 'Wasie.'

The release of 'Wasie' grass pea variety is a breakthrough in helping the poor who rely on this crop as their key source of dietary protein, not only in Ethiopia but also in other grass pea growing countries (Bangladesh, China, Eritrea, India, Nepal, and Pakistan).

About ICARDA: Established in 1977, ICARDA (www.icarda.cgiar.org) serves the entire developing world for the improvement of barley, lentil, and faba bean; and dry-area developing countries for the on-farm management of water, improvement of nutrition and productivity of small ruminants (sheep and goats), and rehabilitation and management of rangelands. In the Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) region, ICARDA is responsible for the improvement of durum and bread wheats, chickpea, pasture and forage legumes and farming systems; and for the protection and enhancement of the natural resource base of water, land, and biodiversity.

The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) (www.cgiar.org) is a strategic alliance of countries, international and regional organizations, and private foundations supporting15 international research centers that mobilizes cutting-edge science to promote sustainable development by reducing hunger and poverty, improving human nutrition and health, and protecting the environment.
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