Assessment of genetic variation in Italian lentil populations by electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of seed storage proteins.

Variation in seed storage proteins among and within 44 small and large-seeded lentil populations, collected in Italy from 1971 to 1999, was investigated using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Variation in the presence and relative staining intensity of some bands was observed. Thirty-one protein patterns were identified. Differences in the protein profiles within the populations were detected except among lentils from Pantelleria and Linosa, two small islands near Sicily. Small- and largeseeded biotypes were found to share the same protein patterns but different frequencies were observed. Intra-population variation was estimated using the Shannon-Weaver Index (SWI). The lowest variation value (SWI = 0.000) was detected in populations from Pantelleria and Linosa, and the highest (SWI = 0.0815) was observed in lentils from S. Stefano in Sessanio (Abruzzo region, central Italy). Cluster analysis of the electrophoretic data grouped the tested populations into seven main clusters. The landraces most preferred by Italian consumers were very distinct from one another, with the exception of lentils from Pantelleria and Ustica, which shared the same electrophoretic pattern.The most variable lentil genetic resources at present under cultivation in Italy are found in central Italy (Abruzzo, Molise and Umbria regions).