Protein content and dry weight of seeds from various pea genotypes

Abstract

Pea seed protein content (SPC) and seed dry weight (SDW) are both influenced by genetic and environmental factors. To assess the variations of these within-plant traits between seeds, six genotypes were field tested. The sequential seed development at nodes along the main stem was determined. Nitrogen fixation was measured by the acetylene reduction assay (ARA). At maturity, protein content and dry weight were measured according to seed position on the plant. Individual protein content was determined by near-infrared transmission spectroscopy. The results show a significant difference in protein content between nodes of the genotypes Solara, L765 and L833. Protein content tended to decrease from the bottom to the top of the plant for these genotypes. The difference in protein content between the lowest and the uppermost node was about 26 g kg-1 for Solara, 40 g kg-1 for L765 and 49 g kg-1 for L833. There were also significant differences in dry weight between plant nodes for all genotypes, except Finale. In addition, the range of difference in dry weight between plant nodes was higher than that for protein content. Further, to determine the influence of morphological position on individual protein content and dry weight, multiple linear regression was established on node position, pod position on the node, and seed position within pods. The results showed that protein content and dry weight were not influenced either by within-pod seed position or pod position on the raceme. Moreover, protein content and dry weight were mainly influenced by node position on the main stem. However, for protein content, the effect of node position varied with genotype, indicating a genetic variability for this character. This genetic variability could be attributed to the difference between genotypes in the ability to maintain nitrogen fixation during the onset of seed filling. For dry weight, the decrease in seed weight for upper nodes of the plant also varied with genotype in relation to the duration of seed filling and the seed growth rate.

Grain protein estimation and SDS-PAGE profilingof six important arid legumes

“…Environment has a significant influence on the protein content of grain legumes (Oluwatosin, 1997;Saxena et al, 2002;Frimpong et al, 2009). Intra-varietal and intra-plant variability in grain protein due to fluctuating environment was also observed (Gueguen and Barbot, 1988;Crochemore et al, 1994;Atta et al, 2004). Additionally, environmental factors that can influence nitrogen nutrition like soil compacting, drought stress, diseases and pests may also impact the grain protein content (Burstin et al, 2011).…”

Intra-plant variation in seed weight and seed protein content of cowpea

“…In the former case, seeds at different developmental/maturation stages occur on the same plants and compete for the same resources (Sadras & Denison, 2009). Atta et al (2004) found that pea (Pisum sativum L.) size and protein content were greater for the seeds derived from the upper nodes than for those from the lower nodes. However, the effects of node position differed among genotypes.…”

“…In previous studies, the positional effects of nodes and branches were simply analyzed by an analysis of variance (ANOVA) or multiple regression model as a direct effect on seed weight and protein content (Atta et al, 2004;Crochemore et al, 1994;Schaal, 1980). However, seed position should be described in a hierarchical manner that considers the positions of the node, branch, peduncle, and seed space within a pod.…”

“…Each of these variables may directly or indirectly affect single seed weight and protein content. Previous studies evaluated the positional effects on bulk seed samples from each level: node, branch, or seed position in a pod (Atta et al, 2004;Crochemore et al, 1994;Schaal, 1980). Nevertheless, seed traits vary among individual seeds.…”

Avaliação da qualidade física e fisiológica de sementes de espécies florestais nativas produzidas em plantios de restauração florestal e remanescentes naturais no estado de São Paulo

“…Sementes com altos ritmos de crescimento apresentam altos valores de massa seca (ATTA et al, 2004). Nesse contexto, o tamanho e peso da semente podem ser reflexos úteis do estoque de energia da semente (LEVIN, 1974).…”