VETCH NUTRITION: Revalorizing the founder crop bitter vetch (Vicia ervilia Willd.) to boost local protein production in Israel and Europe

• Applicant: Dr. Martin Mascher, Ph.D., since 9/2024
• Subject Area: Plant Breeding and Plant Pathology
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 530005422

Plant protein quality is determined by its digestibility and presence of adequate essential dietary amino acids to meet human/animal requirements. The typical presence of toxic canavanine in bitter vetch (V. ervilia) seeds reduces its quality and thus, restricts its use in food and feed applications. At the same time, the low content of sulphur-containing amino acids requires some additional type of supplementation such as synthetic crystalline amino acids. Therefore, addressing the following fundamental questions is intriguing to achieve high-quality local protein sustainably: 1) what is the genetic basis of canavanine and essential amino acids biosynthesis in bitter vetch? 2) What genes underwent selection during the domestication of bitter vetch? 3) what domestication effects were exerted on bitter vetch protein content and quality? The modern genomic tools have great potential to address these questions. But, genomics-assisted breeding and research have lagged behind in bitter vetch due to the lack of a reference genome sequence, arguably the single most effective molecular resource to boost gene discovery and crop improvement. The joint efforts from interdisciplinary expertise can make bitter vetch an attractive protein crop both for animal and human nutrition in Europe and Israel. Towards this overarching goal, we will conduct the following experiments and analyses: (i) the development of foundational genomics resources such as a high-quality reference genome to advance its fundamental research; (ii) genetic mapping of quality traits (with emphasis on seed bioactive compounds) to advance molecular breeding and consumer acceptability (iii) a comprehensive characterization of wild and domesticated germplasm to track down the genetic factors involved in adaptation to mobilize the valuable diversity from non-adaptive germplasm (ex. Landraces) to modern cultivars. Collectively, our research will bring new knowledge to the area of grain legume protein quality.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Israel
• International Co-Applicants: Professor Dr. Shahal Abbo; Professor Dr. Zohar Kerem, Ph.D.
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Dr. Murukarthick Jayakodi, Ph.D., until 9/2024