Agronomical factors influencing the legumin/vicilin ratio in pea ( Pisum sativum L.) seeds

BACKGROUND: Many research studies have investigated the impact of agronomical factors on the protein content of pea ( Pisum sativum ). This study aimed to establish if a correlation exists between protein content and legumin/vicilin (L/V) ratio in pea seeds and to identify agronomical factors that have an impact on this ratio. RESULTS: The L/V ratio was positively correlated with protein content ( r = 0.58, P ⩽0.01), but no linear regression was applicable (adjusted R 2 = 0.31). Both variety and cultivation year had a highly significant effect on the ratio ( P < 0.001). The interaction between these two factors was also highly significant ( P < 0.001), some varieties being less sensitive to climatic conditions than others. Cultivation location had a highly significant effect ( P < 0.01). There was no interaction between variety and location. Seeding density had a highly significant effect on the ratio ( P < 0.01), with a saturation effect above 60 seeds m −2 . CONCLUSION: Further studies should establish if a linear regression model can be applied to pea varieties independently. Varieties with a stable L/V ratio can prove to be useful in the food industry. Other agronomical factors (soil type and seeding density) should be considered for the production of pea seeds with a specific L/V ratio. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry