Improving pulse crops as a source of protein, starch and micronutrients

Pulse crops have been known for a long time to have beneficial nutritional profiles for human diets but have been neglected in terms of cultivation, consumption and scientific research in many parts of the world. Broad dietary shifts will be required if anthropogenic climate change is to be mitigated in the future, and pulse crops should be an important component of this change by providing an environmentally sustainable source of protein, resistant starch and micronutrients. Further enhancement of the nutritional composition of pulse crops could benefit human health, helping to alleviate micronutrient deficiencies and reduce risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes. This paper reviews current knowledge regarding the nutritional content of pea (Pisum sativum L.) and faba bean (Vicia faba L.), two major UK pulse crops, and discusses the potential for their genetic improvement

Effects of selenium on plant metabolism and implications for crops and consumers

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for many organisms including humans, while in plants it can trigger a variety of beneficial effects. Plants absorb Se mainly in the form of selenate using high affinity root sulfate transporters. Consequently, availability of sulfur (S) has a major impact on Se accumulation due to competition effects of the two oxyanions. In addition, Se has an impact on S uptake through interference with intrinsic regulatory mechanisms. Inside cells, selenate can access the sulfate assimilation pathway and influence the production of S-organic compounds that are of vital importance in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stress conditions. Selenium has been reported to mitigate stress in plants because of its capacity to induce the synthesis of S- and nitrogen (N) compounds, in addition to stimulating the activity of antioxidant enzymes and metabolites. Selenium can also alter the uptake of certain microelements like molybdenum, which functions as a cofactor for the enzyme nitrate reductase. Therefore, Se at high doses may interfere with N assimilation, causing a decrease in the level of N-compounds with structural and/or regulatory functions. Selenium interactions with multiple metabolic pathways in plants have relevant implications for plants and consumers that feed on them. Managing such interactions are useful to biofortify crops with organic forms of Se endowed with beneficial properties (selenomethionine and methylselenocysteine) and in other nutraceuticals like glucosinolates and antioxidants. Furthermore, Se at low doses may improve plant productivity or phytoremediation potential by enhancing photosynthesis and increasing the capacity of plants to tolerate stress