PNL Volume 18 1986 RESEARCH REPORTS

SEED PROTEIN PRODUCTION OF SOME PISUM MUTANTS AND RECOMBINANTS

Abou-Salha, A.

Institute of Genetics, University of Bonn

Federal Republic of Germany

Three mutants with apical stem bifurcation (37B, 157A, 1201A) and

seven recombinants (RM 20D, R 46C, R 177, RM 432, RM 836, RM 1126, RM 1128)

which not only show stem bifurcation but also other morphological charac-

ters, were investigated with regard to seed yield, seed size, protein

content, and protein production per plant in three consecutive years. The

protein yield was compared with the control values of 'Dippes Gelbe

Viktoria' (DGV) which was used as the Initial line for the radiation-

genetic experiments (Fig. 1). All the recombinants tested showed

dichotomous stem bifurcation due to the presence of gene bif-1 derived from

mutant 1201A. Only recombinant RM 432 showed stem fasciation.

Fig. 1. Number of seeds per plant

(a), protein content of

the seed meal (b), and

protein production per

plant (c ) in three

mutants and seven recom-

binants of pea. A11

values are related to

control values of the

initial Variety 'Dippe

Gelbe Viktoria' (DGV) -

100%

PNL Volume 18 1986 RESEARCH REPORTS

In 1981, the protein production of the three mutants was lower than

that of DGV because of their lower seed yield. In 1982 and 1983, mutant

37B and 1 5 7 A had a higher protein production because of a favorable com

bination of high number of seeds per plant and high protein content of the

seed meal. This indicates that this trait is highly influenced by environ

mental factors. Recombinants R 46C and RM 836 showed an increased seed

protein content but the protein yield was lower than DGV because of the

decrease in seed yield per plant.

Recombinant RM 1126, on the other hand, had not only a higher protein

content than DGV but also higher seed production. The protein production

per plant was high in spite of its decreased seed size. Recombinant RM

1128 also had a higher protein content of the seed meal but the protein

production was not high, possibly because of the presence of gene sg for

small seeds. The increased protein production of the two recombinants RM

20D and RM 432 resulted from a very high seed production per plant, even

though the protein content of the seed flour was reduced. RM 20D has

normal seed size, whereas the seed size of RM 432 is reduced.

Figure 2 demonstrates that there is no clear correlation between seed

size and protein content of the seed meal in the material studied. These

findings contrast with the results obtained in cereals. Our investigations

show furthermore that the protein production of a Pisum genotype is mainly

correlated with the seed production per plant and only slightly with the

protein content of the seed meal.

Fig. 2. The relation between seed size and protein content of the seed

meal in 3 mutants and 7 recombinants of Pisum sativum.