Can We Breed Pulse Crops to Improve Human Health: An Emerging Facet in Contemporary Crop Improvement.

Pulse crops are known as an important source of protein, mineral nutrients and dietary fiber in the human diet. These compounds have dietary health implications, including lowering blood pressure, reducing the risk of advanced colorectal cancer, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Pulse crops such as common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) also contain high levels of dietary fiber and oligosaccharides that are also known to enhance human health. Research at the Crops for Health program at Colorado State University was initiated to better understand the effect of pulse crops on reducing the incidence and severity of chronic diseases and a better understand of the genetic control of these health beneficial traits in the human diet. Preclinical and genomic studies have been conducted to elucidate mechanisms and genetic control for traits that contribute to reducing the incidence of obesity, heart disease and cancer. Studies on dietary fiber content used Genome Wide Association Studies to map genomic regions responsible for soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, and oligosaccharides. GWAS coupled with common bean whole genome sequence data led to candidate gene discovery for soluble and insoluble dietary fiber content and oligosaccharide content.