Variability in monomeric prolamins in Hordeum chilense

Eighty-eight lines of the species Hordeum chilense Roem. et Schult., repres entative of the variability found in the latter's distribution zone, were a nalysed. Monomeric prolamins (protein fraction corresponding to wheat gliad ins) were studied using the SDS-PACE technique. The analysis of the differe nt bands was performed using the programme BIOIMAGE(TM) WHOLE BAND ANALYZER . Jaccard's coefficient of similarity was calculated, and the lines were gr ouped by cluster analysis using UPGMA. A great variability was found betwee n the different lines studied. Forty-two different bands were identified, a ll of which were polymorphic. Sixty-eight different patterns of monomeric p rolamins were identified within the 82 Lines studied. A dendrogram was obta ined from the analysis of the groups. No relationship between the distribut ion of the variability in the dendrogram and the geographical origin or the ecological characteristics of the species could be detected. It is conclud ed that H. chilense is an important pool of variability for storage protein s that could be used in cereal breeding.