News from the Drylands
 
New, Low-Neurotoxin Grass Pea Variety Breaks the Fear
of Paralysis in Ethiopia

T
ICARDA and Ethiopian researchers discuss the performance of improved grass pea lines with farmers in Ethiopia.
he Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization (EARO), in April, 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 t/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- to 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).
 
Contents  |  About ICARDA and the CGIAR  |  From the Director General
Table of Issues  |  ICARDA Publications  |  ICARDA Home
-
© 2008 International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA). See copyright and disclaimer information.