DIVERSITY OF SEED STORAGE PROTEIN-PATTERNS IN WILD PEANUT (ARACHIS, FABACEAE) SPECIES

55 accessions of wild peanuts (Arachis spp.) introduced from South Ame rica were analyzed for seed storage protein composition using SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. The objectives of the study were to evaluate variabi lity within sect. Arachis and to classify taxa based on protein compos ition. 25 different band positions were resolved. Individual accession s had 11 to 18 bands which included the conarachin region (MW > 50 kD) , two to five bands in the acidic arachin region (MW 38-49.9 kD), thre e to seven in the intermediate MW region (23 to 37.9 kD), two to five bands in the basic arachin region (18-22.9 kD), and one to three bands in the low MW protein region (14-17.9 kD). These data were utilized i n a principal coordinate analysis based on the matrix of genetic dista nces between all pairs of the 55 accessions. Several groups of accessi ons conformed to expected species classification including A. batizoco i, A. stenosperma, and A. monticola; while A. duranensis, A. cardenasi i, A. helodes, and A. correntina did not form good groups. The study s howed that great diversity exists for protein profiles and seed storag e proteins have potential for aiding species classification and for se rving as markers for interspecific hybridization studies.