Distribution of β-N-oxalyl-L-α-β diaminopropionic Acid in Different Tissues of Aging Lathyrus sativus Plant

Summary In pot studies Lathyrus sativus was grown in plough deep soil using Farm Yard Manure (FYM) and P 2 O 5 as basal dressings. Variations in the content of neurotoxin, β -N-oxalyl-L- α - β -diamino-propionic acid (ODAP), in different tissues of the plant as a function of aging were measured. Irrespective of varieties and stages BOAA was detected in all tissues of L. sativus plant but maximum neurotoxin was observed in the leaf during the vegetative stage and in the embryo during the reproductive stage. However, with aging of the plant the accumulation of toxin in these tissues decreased successively. On the basis of these findings, a suggestion has been made for the partial removal of toxin from Lathyrus grain.