Genetic Diversity in Pigeon Pea ( Cajanuscajan (L.) Millspaugh Germplasm Revealed by Gel Electrophoresis of the Seed Proteins

Ten accessions of Pigeon pea ( Cajanuscajan) obtained from National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), Ibadan, Oyo state, were assessed for their genetic and phylogenetic relatedness through electrophoretic analysis of the seed proteins. 0.2g of the seeds were weighed and macerated with mortar and pestle in 0.2M phosphate buffer containing 0.133M of acid (NaH 2PO 4) and 0.067 of base (Na 2HPO 4) at pH 6.5. Protein characterization with standard marker revealed that the seeds of the ten accessions contained proteins (B.S.A, Oval Albumin, Pepsinogen, Trypsinogen and Lysozyme) with molecular weights ranging from 66kda and above, 45 – 65 kDa, 44 – 33 kda, 32-24 kDa and 23-14 kDa, respectively. The student T-test revealed that accessions PP2, PP3, PP5, PP6, PP8 and PP9 have molecular weights not significantly different from one another (P<0.05) while samples PP1, PP4 and PP7 showed significantly different values (P>0.05). All the accessions had at least two proteins and two major bands in common. The study revealed intra-specific similarities and genetic diversity in protein contents among the ten accessions of pigeon pea ( Cajanuscajan).