TAXONOMIC APPLICATIONS OF SEED PROTEINS IN THE GENUS BROMUS L. (POACEAE)

Seed proteins were studied in 21 populations of 17 Bromus species and varieties growing in Iran. In total 83 protein bands were observed in all the species studied. The number of bands and their density varied in these species, indicating their genetic differences. Some specific bands were observed in most of the species indicating the presence of specific genes in these species as a result of species diversification. Such specific protein bands may be of use in the Bromus species identification. Different clustering and ordination methods showed separation of the species of sect. Bromus from the species of the sect. Pnigma, indicating the use of seed proteins in taxonomic delimitation of these two sections.