Variation for the low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits in a collection of Hordeum chilense

Eighty-one different lines of Hordeum chilense Roem. et Schult., representative of its distribution area, were analysed. Homozygotic genotypes were obtained by at least two generations of self-pollination. The homogeneity of the progeny was tested by using nine seeds from three different plants. The LMW glutenin subunits were studied using the SDS-PAGE technique. The variability within the entire distribution area was analysed in a first step. After this, the variability was studied according to six geographic regions defined by climatic classifications. From both studies it is concluded that there is a huge variability in H. chilense for LMW-glutenins that could be useful in cereal breeding. Likewise, the variability found in this work was compared with the variability found for gliadins. It is concluded that degree of the variability for gliadins and LMW-glutenins is similar.