VARIABILITY OF MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES AND BIOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF VIGNA SEEDS IN THE LOWER VOLGA REGION CONDITIONS

Abstract

In studies of 21 accessions of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata subsp. cylindrica (L.) Verdc.) significant variation in morphological traits (plant height, height of attachment of the lower Bob, the number of shoots branching, number of pods on 1 plant, number of seeds per legume, length Bob, weight of 1000 seeds), the interphase period «germination-flowering» seed yield and biochemical composition of seeds: the protein (including fractions – albumins, globulins, that prolamins, glutelin), fat, fiber, ash, nitrogen-free extractives (BEV). Interphase the period «germination-flowering» ranged in the interval 40...50 days. Identified early-maturing cultivars: k-723, k-807, k-1366, k-1377, k-1388, k-1418, k-1646. A by tall different varieties of different ecological and geographical origin (k-1333, k-492, k-1680, k-1684). Of practical interest for breeding represent cultivars that have 1000 seed weight more than 100 g – k-1381, k-1333, k-1366, k-1383, k-1420, k-1646, k-1680, k-1684, k-1694. Noting the wide range of variability in biochemical composition, it should be noted that the coefficients of variation V>20% is set for the indicators: fat content, that prolamins, glutelins; and less than V<10% protein content, ash, BEV. Medium variation 10%<V<20% typical concentrations of albumins, globulins, fiber. More than 28 % identified the protein content in the seeds of genotypes: k-723, k-1420, k-1565. A significant interaction of «genotype-environment» the content of crude protein enabled the distribution of the cultivars according to the degree of stability in 3 classes (high-, medium-, and labastille). Selected varieties, characterized by a high content of readily available protein fractions (albumins, globulins). The total content of hard protein fractions (that prolamins, glutelin) does not exceed about 7,0%. The coefficients of asymmetry and kurtosis allow us to consider the distribution of parameters of biochemical composition, as normal.