Vicia

Abstract

Vicia is a large genus, with ca 150 known species, within a large and important family, the Leguminosae. It is largely an Old World genus with its main centre of diversity in the eastern Mediterranean/western Asia area; there are also 27 known Vicia species in the New World. No Vicia species are on the IUCN “Red List” although several species are threatened within parts of their range raising the likelihood of genetic erosion. Vicia species, in common with other legumes, produce protein-rich seeds, which makes them likely candidates for use in human and animal nutrition. Indeed, two species, V. ervilia and V. faba are regarded as members of the group of “founder crops” of human agriculture. However, in general, agricultural use is strongly limited by the presence of anti-nutritional factors in the seeds, including non-protein amino acids, cyanogenic compounds, lectins and protease inhibitors. Thus, although over 20 species have been or are being used in some way by humankind, only one of these, V. faba is widely included in human diets. Breeding programs for V. faba have been limited by the complete absence of closely related species with which to hybridize. Crop improvement, therefore, has relied purely on selection. However, the situation is changing. Other species, which have had in the past or still have a minor role in human nutrition, especially V. narbonensis and V. sativa, are now coming back into favor. Modern breeding methods, including transgenic technology, are being applied to these species as well as to V. faba, with the aim of producing varieties that are free from anti-nutritional factors. If this can be achieved then the “wealth” of this large and important genus will be much more available for applications in agriculture.