Resumen de Conservation, analysis of genetic diversity and maintenance of grasspea and other species (Lathyrus spp.) in Italy
Grass pea (Lathyrus spp.), �cicerchia� in Italian, was grown widely in central and southern Italy, where several landraces still exist. The renewed interest in grasspea is due to the need to reintroduce rational crop rotations in areas overexploited by cereal. In addition, grasspea has been rediscovered as a traditional and local product for human consumption, mainly by organic farmers. In order to reintroduce grasspea in crop rotations, breeding programmes evolving genotypes combining high yield with high protein content and low or no neuro-toxin (ODAP) are in progress all over the world. In particular, research programmes have been started for safeguarding, collecting and establishing several collections at different scientific institutions, complemented by diversity evaluation programmes on the material. Information reported here refers to the status of Lathyrus collections, analysis of genetic diversity, core process, valorization, maintenance and conservation of grasspea (Lathyrus spp.) genetic resources in Italy. Finally, future activities are outlined.
