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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #431242
Research Project: Genetic Resource and Information Management for Pulse, Temperate Forage Legume, Oilseed, Vegetable, Grasses, Sugar, Ornamental, and Other Crops

Location: Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing Research

Title: Harnessing plant genetic resources to improve seed mineral nutrition in pea (Pisum sativum L.)

Author
item SARI, HATICE - Washington State University
item COYNE, CLARICE - Washington State University
item Grusak, Michael
item Valkov, Veselina
item ZHANG, ZHIWU - Washington State University
item MCGEE, REBECCA - Washington State University
item MA, YU - The Ohio State University
item MAIN, DORRIE - Washington State University
item BANDILLO, NONOY - North Carolina State University
item HART, JONAH - Washington State University
item Bourland, Britton
item UHDRE, RENAN - Washington State University
item Warburton, Marilyn

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/10/2026
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: In the fight to create more nutritious foods, pea is an important weapon. As a crop, it has high nutritional value and benefits to the fertility of the farmer's fields as it grows. In this study, we looked for genes controlling the levels of mineral elements (B, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Zn, Co, Mo, Ni, and Se) in pea seeds. A group of 482 diverse pea lines was grown in field trials for 3 years and the seed mineral nutrients were measured and analyzed. Candidate genes were found that may influence mineral nutrient content. In addition both the genotype of the lines and the environment influenced final nutrient content. These results will aid in the ability of breeding programs to create improved pea cultivars with higher nutritional quality, which can help address food insecurity and create more nutritious food.

Technical Abstract: Plant genetic resources (PGR) represent the foundation of global food security, crop improvement, and future agricultural resilience. Conserved genebank collections capture extensive genetic diversity from cultivated crops and their wild relatives, providing essential material for breeding resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses and for improving nutritional quality. With advances in high-throughput genotyping and data-driven breeding, the value of PGR continues to expand beyond traditional trait improvement. In this study, we demonstrate the value of PGR for improving seed mineral nutrition in pea (Pisum sativum L.). A panel of 482 genetically diverse dry yellow pea accessions was assembled using historical seed protein data from the USDA GRIN-Global database and the National Plant Germplasm System. The panel was evaluated under field conditions across three years (2019–2021). Concentrations of 15 mineral elements (B, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, Zn, Co, Mo, Ni, and Se) were quantified, and accessions were genotyped using genotyping-by-sequencing, generating 79,608 high-quality SNP markers. Genome-wide association analysis identified 113 significant SNPs explaining 0.4% to 64.3% of phenotypic variation. Candidate genes were associated with nutrient transport, metal binding, and stress-response pathways. Genotype-by-environment interactions were observed, with genetic control predominating for Mn and Na, while environmental effects were more pronounced for S and P. These results highlight the critical role of genebank-enabled genomics in unlocking hidden nutritional diversity and accelerating biofortification and precision breeding in pea.