After More than 160 years after Gregor Mendel’s foundational experiments with pea plants, scientists have finally identified the genes responsible for the last three traits Mendel studied but never genetically explained. Mendel, considered the father of genetics, analyzed seven traits in pea plants, but the genes behind flower branching, pod color, and pod shape had remained elusive — until now.
In a landmark study published in Nature, an international team of researchers used advanced genome
sequencing and computational tools to solve this mystery. Building on the pea’s reference genome released in 2019, the team deep-sequenced nearly 700 pea genomes, uncovering around 155 million genetic variations. Through genome-wide association studies and selective breeding, they pinpointed the genes linked to the remaining traits. Pod color, they found, is influenced by a gene that affects chlorophyll production. Two genes tied to pod shape impact cell-wall development, and a gene deletion leads to fasciation — abnormal flower clustering.
The six-year effort highlights the power of interdisciplinary collaboration and modern genomics. According to co-author Noam Chayut of the John Innes Centre, the work not only closes a historical loop in genetics but also provides a treasure trove of data for crop improvement. The team also mapped 72 additional agriculturally significant traits, offering valuable insight for future pea breeding and sustainability research. With pea protein gaining popularity as a plant-based food source, the findings are expected to drive innovations in crop yield, disease resistance, and nutritional quality for years to come.
