Alterations in Protein and Isozymes Profiles during Accelerated Ageing in Soybean (Glycine Max (L.) Merrill)

This study was done to observe alterations in protein and isozyme profiles for soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill), during accelerated aeging. During the aeging period some physiological (percent germination, seedling vigour index and germination index) and biochemical (electrical conductivity, malonaldehyde content, total soluble sugars, total soluble proteins, peroxidase and dehydrogenase activity) changes were also observed in relation to seed vigour and viability in fresh and aged soybean seeds. Results showed an overall decrease in germination, vigour, soluble sugars and soluble protein content with increase in ageing duration. Increased activity of lipid peroxidation and electrical conductivity coupled with significant reduction in activities of peroxidase and dehydrogenase were noticed in accelerated aged seeds. Alterations in protein and isozymes profiles in aged seeds compared to fresh seeds indicated that the loss in seeds quality might be due to the adverse effect of ageing on proteins. The electrophoretic variations in protein and isozymes noticed in this study could be used as a criterion in assessing the quality of soybean.