Seed proteins ofPisum mutants and recombinants

The seed protein production of more than a hundredPisum mutants and recombinants was determined. There is a negative correlation between seed production and protein content of the seed meal in the material tested. Geneipc of thePisum genome increases the protein content of the seed flour by about 20%, but the mutant carrying this gene and the recombinants available so far produce only low amounts of protein, due to their poor seed production. The biochemical methods used allow the detection of the genetic diversity as expressed in altered gene products in closely related genotypes. Many mutants and recombinants, derived from the same mother variety, are available in our collection showing not only quantitative and qualitative differences in their seed proteins, but also other characters of agronomic interest such as higher yield or adaptation to distinct climatic conditions. They represent a suitable material for analyzing the regulatory mechanisms controlling the incorporation of proteins into seeds.