Seed protein characterization and isozyme diversity for cultivar identification in grasspea (Lathyrus sativus L.)

Abstract

The characterization of seed protein of various geographically divergent grasspea genotypes was done by protein fractionation, polymorphism and isozymic analysis. No positive correlation was found between seed size and protein content. Though there was genotypespecificity for different levels of protein fractions, globulin level proved to be the highest and prolamine the least. 50S-PAGE of different grasspea genotypes, even of same geographic origin revealed variation in number, width and intensity of bands. The multigene inheritance of seed protein expression could be identified from the zymograms. Similarity percentage between genotypes was also calculated. In general, geographical origin does not influence genotype specific seed protein content and its polymorphism. Observations suggested the polymorphic nature of esterase and peroxidase isozyme, which provided worthy information, regarding genetic variability among the cultivars under experiment.