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Six pea (Pisum sativum L.) cultivars (Adept, Komet, Lantra, Olivin, Oskar, Tyrkys) were transformed via Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain EHA105 with pBIN19 plasmid carrying reporter uidA (β-glucuronidase, GUS, containing potato ST-LS1 intron) gene under the CaMV 35S promoter, and selectable marker gene nptII (neomycin phosphotransferase II) under the nos promoter. Two regeneration systems were used: continual shoot proliferation from axillary buds of cotyledonary node in vitro, and in vivo plant regeneration from imbibed germinating seed with removed testa and one cotyledon. The penetration of Agrobacterium into explants during co-cultivation was supported by sonication or vacuum infiltration treatment. The selection of putative transformants in both regeneration systems carried out on media with 100 mg dm−3 kanamycin. The presence of introduced genes was verified histochemically (GUS assay) and by means of PCR and Southern blot analysis in T0 putative transformants and their seed progenies (T1 to T3 generations). Both methods, but largely in vivo approach showed to be genotype independent, resulting in efficient and reliable transformation system for pea. The in vivo approach has in addition also benefit of time and money saving, since transgenic plants are obtained in much shorter time. All tested T0 – T3 plants were morphologically normal and fertile.

International audience; Grain legumes contribute significantly to total world food production. Legumes are the primary source of dietary proteins in many developing countries, where protein hunger and malnutrition are widespread. Grain legumes germplasm constitute similar to 15% of the 7.4 M accessions preserved globally. Nearly, 78% of the CGIAR's, 0.217 M accessions, have been characterized, compared to 34% of national genebank collections. Interestingly, limited data on grain quality are available as the primary focus has been on morpho-agronomic traits. Clearly, more resources should be targeted on biochemical evaluation to identify nutritionally rich and genetically diverse germplasm. The formation of core and mini core collections has provided crop breeders with a systematic yet manageable entry point into global germplasm resources. These subsets have been reported for most legumes and have proved useful in identifying new sources of variation. They may however not eliminate the need to evaluate entire collections, particularly for very rare traits. Molecular characterization and association mapping will further aid to insights into the structure of legume diversity and facilitate greater use of collections. The use of high resolution elevational climate models has greatly improved our capacity to characterize plant habitats and species' adaptive responses to stresses. Evidence suggests that there has been increased use of wild relatives as well as new resources resulting from mutagenesis to enhance the genetic base of legume cultigens.