:ProtYield PROJECT TITLE: PROTEIN CONTENT Vs YIELD IN LEGUMES : RELEASING THE CONSTRAINT

Sustainable Protein Production The Technology Strategy Board, in partnership with Defra & BBSRC, launched a collaborative R&D competition with up to £15 million available to invest in projects focusing on the challenge of sustainable protein production.

Sustainable Protein Production Increasing domestic supply of sustainably produced vegetable protein for farmed animals (including land and marine based aquaculture) As global demand for animal products increases, demand for vegetable proteins as animal feedstock also rises. The UK faces a shortfall in domestic vegetable protein production capability, which needs to be challenged.

ProtYield Project Structure Total project cost around £950,000 Co-funded by the Technology Strategy Board, in partnership with Defra and BBSRC Funding equally matched by industry partners Project duration 48 months

ProtYield - Project Partners

What does the project aim to achieve? Identify fast neutron-mutagenised pea lines with improved protein digestibility and yield Analyse current variation for yield and protein in commercial pea cultivars and understand the genetics of these traits Establish a fast neutron-mutagenised population in faba bean (Vicia faba) to broaden genetic variation within this crop

ProtYield aims to Improve the relationship between protein content and yield in pulses Identify genes underlying protein and yield Increase the utilisation of pulses in animal feed through targeted plant breeding