Seed storage proteins in melon (Cucumis melo L.) cultivars

Seed storage proteins of 60 cultivars from the collection of the Institute of Plant Genetic Resources - Sadovo were investigated electrophoretically. Combining the data obtained by using three electrophoretic techniques in polyacrylamide gels: electrophoresis in acidic gel, isoelectric focusing and electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), the investigated melon cultivars were arranged into thirteen groups. The effectiveness of cultivar identification for each group depends on the number of cultivars belonging to it - the lower the number of cultivars, the higher the effectiveness. Thus, most effective cultivar characterization is that for the cultivars belonging to groups 10, 11, 12 and 13, containing one cultivar each, followed by groups 8 and 9, containing two cultivars each. The electrophoretic profiles of seed proteins are widely used as biochemical markers in breeding programs and seed purity control. Further investigations might be carried out to elucidate relationships of thirteen phenotypes with other melon characteristics.