Unlocking the bioavailability of phosphorus and micronutrients through development of low phytate-phosphorus pea

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This project represents "phase 2" of a series of projects on low phytate pea. "Phase 1" entitled "Development of low phytate peas" was successfully completed in 2006. Phase 1 resulted in the discovery of two low phytate mutants in pea. Phase 2 (described here) will characterize these mutants at the physiological, genetic, and molecular levels, determine their effects on bioavailability of phosphorus and micronutrients in an animal model, and set the stage for production of low phytate pea cultivars. These cultivars are expected to have at least three major benefits which extend from pulse producers, to the pulse crop industry, to livestock producers and to environmental health. Low phytate-phosphorus pea cultivars are expected to have improved bioavailability of phosphorus and several important minerals including iron and zinc. This should increase their value in both food and feed markets. These cultivars will serve as an appropriate complement to the low phytate barley and corn cultivars which have recently been developed. Secondly, when low phytate-phosphorus cultivars are fed to monogastric animals and humans, less phosphorus excretion and pollution will occur, since these cultivars contain inorganic phosphorus which is digested by these species. Thirdly, low phytate-phosphorus pea cultivars will result in a saving in feed costs, since the requirement for supplemental inorganic phosphorus or phytase enzyme will be reduced or eliminated.