Proceedings of the XLVII Italian Society of Agricultural Genetics - SIGA Annual Congress

Verona, Italy - 24/27 September, 2003

ISBN 88-900622-4-X

Poster Abstract - 3.13

DIVERSITY IN ALTERNATIVE PASTURE LEGUMES FROM ASINARA ISLAND FOR ANTI-NUTRITIONAL COMPOUNDS

M. ODOARDI*, M. CONFALONIERI*, A. URSINO *, S. BULLITTA**

*) Istituto Sperimentale Colture Foraggere, Viale Piacenza 29, I-26900 Lodi

**) CNR-ISPAAM – Sezione Pascoli Mediterranei, Sassari, Via E. De Nicola, I-07100 Sassari

wild leguminous species, trypsin inhibitors, hemolytic saponins

The importance of pasturelands and forages, particularly for organic productions in extensive animal breeding systems, is increasing in Italy. As a consequence, a deeper knowledge is required about the phytotherapic as well as the antinutritive effects of natural compounds in pasture species grazed by animals. Such knowledge is still limited considering the richness of spontaneous plant species and of bioactive metabolites involved. These compounds can cause health problems and toxic effects to animals as in the case of antinutritionals, or can increase animal wellbeing and productivity as in the case of bioactive phytotherapic compounds.

In order to assess the potential of natural populations of leguminous species collected in Asinara island for their introduction into cropping in pasture improvement, a study was started to evaluate the presence and concentration of bioactive compounds in seeds and leaves of a number of natural species from a wider germplasm collection from Asinara. The chemical characterization of antinutritional compounds was mainly focused on: i) protease inhibitors, well represented among the seed storage proteins for their protective role against herbivore animals, and ii) biologically active saponins, quite common in legume herbage, sometimes exerting anti-feedant and bloating effects on grazing animals.

Seeds from eleven spontaneous species belonging to six legume genera have been considered for Trypsin Inhibitor (TI) content, while fresh leaves from the same accessions have been tested for biologically active saponins. Differences for TI content in seed and for hemolythic saponins in leaves have been detected among genera as well as among species. Different future uses of such wild species can be so suggested in pasture improvement, soil protection and multiple uses in Mediterranean environments, also in accordance with the rules of organic animal productions, based on providing maximum animal wellbeing and human health and on reducing environmental impact.