Protoplast, cell and tissue cultures for the biotechnological breeding of grass peas (Lathyrus sativus L

Introduction Grass pea consumption leads to neurolathyrism and a safer use of this environmentally adaptable crop needs cultivars with decreased neurotoxin levels. Were they cross-compatible, grass peas would be useful genetic resources for disease resistance breeding of peas (Pisum sativum L.). In vitro selection (9) and gene transfer may provide grass peas better adapted for consumption, while interesting Lathyrus traits could be introduced into pea by somatic hybridisation (2, .