Molecular characterization of some species of the genus Vicia [electronic resource].

Includes references.

The present study was carried out to determine the genetic diversity between faba bean and its related Vicia species. Thirteen taxa representing six Vicia species (V. sativa, V. villosa, V. monantha, V. narbonensis and V. cinerea, in addition to V. faba) were collected from the north-west coastal region of Egypt. Electrophoretic protein patterns indicated clear differences among different Vicia species as well as within the taxa of the same species. Three isozyme systems (glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, amylase and esterase) were examined in dry seeds and showed that V. faba and V. narbonensis have specific isozyme patterns different from those of other species. Variability on the DNA level was investigated through RAPD-PCR analysis, which indicated clear differences among different Vicia species and considerable similarities within the taxa of the same species. The results indicated that V. monantha and V. villosa are most closely related to V. cinerea. It was also found that V. faba and V. narbonensis are completely distant. The marked differences between Vicia faba and other wild species indicated that none of the latter can be considered as the wild progenitor of V. faba.

Summary in Arabic.

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