Abstract

Genetic diversity center plays important roles in collection of germplasm resources. To better understand the genetic diversity of adzuki bean (Vigna angularis L.), seed protein of 198 local strains collected  throughout China and Japan were analyzed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Four protein types were identified and the frequency of each protein type strain showed a clear geographical cline. The pattern of geographical distribution of the protein types reflected the region of genetic diversity, and the dissemination pathway in adzuki bean was proposed. The region of genetic diversity center in seed protein was southwestern China. Adzuki bean might have spread via middle and east of China to northern China and Japan from southwestern China, as only one seed protein type was detected in Japanese strains in this study. These results provide fundamental and important clues for genetic diversity preservation and exploitation of adzuki bean germplasm resources.

Key words: Genetic diversity, dissemination pathway, adzuki bean, Vigna angularis, seed protein electrophoresis.