Phylogeny of vigna species as indicated by seed protein and isozyme electrophoresis

The evolutionary relationships between cultivated and wild species of Asiatic Vigna species were investigated through biochemical parameters utilizing isozyme variation patterns of peroxidase, catalase and seed protein polymorphism studied through polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results of above investigations are presented in this paper. The studies provide strong evidence in elucidation of phylogenetic relationships. The results indicated that mung and urid beans are two distinct species and they have independently evolved from wild progenitors V. radiata var. sublobata and V. mungo var. silvestris, respectively, which show remarkable similarities in isozyme profiles particularly in number of bands, position and Rf values. The wild putative forms occurring in natural habitats belonging to V. umbellata, V. aconitifolia and V. trilobata also appear to be quite distinct. They exhibited fewer bands. Close affinity could not be discovered as revealed by protein and isozyme polymorphism.