GROW-Grasspea: Turning an Underrecognized Legume into a Global Hero

Grasspea (Lathyrus sativus) has long flown under the radar. Once limited by misconceptions, this humble legume is now emerging as a resilient, nutritious, and sustainable crop, well-suited to a changing climate and gaining renewed global attention. Grasspea is more than just a crop; it is a symbol of resilience. Thriving where other crops struggle and rich in protein and essential nutrients, it offers practical solutions for communities navigating climate uncertainty.

The Fernand Lambein Fund, established in 2023, is committed to supporting the restoration and promotion of the legume. It builds on the legacy of the late Professor Fernand Lambein, who dedicated his life to researching this resilient crop. The Fund is rooted in Professor Lambein’s conviction that scientific progress thrives on collaboration, and it promotes initiatives that bring together the international scientific community working on grasspea.

One of the Fund initiatives is GROW-Grasspea, which focuses on translating research into real-world impact. This initiative builds on existing platforms such as Germinate and GrasspeaNet. Germinate is an open-source database that provides access to complex data from genetic resource collections (including genotypic, phenotypic, β-N-oxalyl-L-α,β-diaminopropionic acid (ODAP), and agronomic information), enabling researchers to track progress and share findings, to develop improved varieties. GrasspeaNet connects laboratories, breeders, and communities worldwide, fostering collaboration and strengthening the global network.

What makes this initiative particularly impactful is its integration of research with real-world application. Farmers are encouraged to participate, share their experiences, and grow existing safe, low-ODAP grasspea varieties, which are climate-smart and sustainable. This engagement is facilitated through GrasspeaNet and related collaborative networks, including social media, enabling farmers and researchers to share experiences and access resources. Meanwhile, scientists continue to work on improving grasspea’s safety and productivity, exploring ways to reduce ODAP further and enhance the crop’s resilience.

GROW also addresses one of grasspea’s major challenges: misconceptions about safety. Through evidence-based research on nutrition and ODAP content, the initiative promotes safe use of existing low-ODAP grasspea varieties for both human consumption and animal feed, through outreach, knowledge-sharing platforms, and engagement with research and farming communities, and builds confidence in the crop. supporting informed choices for farmers and communities.  At the same time, it celebrates the legume’s versatility, encouraging people to explore its naturally sweet, earthy flavor in different dishes and preparations, from traditional recipes to innovative culinary creations around the world. This approach helps reposition grasspea as a healthy, climate-adapted, and sustainable crop with multiple uses.

Another key initiative of the Fernand Lambein Fund is the Lathyrus Day, a biennial meeting that brings together the widely dispersed community working on grasspea. This one‑day event is dedicated entirely to the legume, highlighting the latest research and opportunities, and actively promoting the participation of young scientists.