ARS | Publication request: Genetic Diversity within the USDA Pisum sativum Collection for Seed Sugar Composition and Concentration

Submitted to: Food Legume Research International Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: March 1, 2010
Publication Date: April 26, 2010
Citation: Mcgee, R.J., Coyne, C.J., Mattinson, S.D., Fuchs, S., Fellman, J. 2010. Genetic Diversity within the USDA Pisum sativum Collection for Seed Sugar Composition and Concentration. Food Legume Research International Conference Proceedings. abstract.

Interpretive Summary: This study has documented a wide range of the concentrations of low molecular weight carbohydrates in vining pea accessions held in the USDA Pisum Core Collection. Values for the simple sugars glucose, fructose and sucrose, had fold ranges of 64, 55 and 9 respectively. On average sucrose represented 83% (range = 17-97%) of the total LMWC and all the simple sugars combined represented 88% (range = 12-99%) of the total LMWC. Values for the raffinose family oligosaccharides, raffinose, stachyose and verbascose, had fold ranges of 251, 32000 and 154 respectively (Figure 2). On average, the RFOs represented 12% of the total LMWC and ranged from less than 1% to 82%. Lines were found which appear to lack stachyose and verbascose without a concomitant increase in raffinose. Lines were also identified which lacked verbascose but had high levels of stachyose. This information should be valuable to plant breeders interested in improving palatability and nutritional factors of vining peas.

Technical Abstract: The USDA Pisum sativum refined core collection was evaluated for concentrationa dn composition of low molceular weight carbohydrates. Six plants each from the 120 wrinkle-seeded accessions were grown ina commercial soilless mix in a greenhouse under 16hr/8hr day/night 20/15 C°. Pods were harvested at the immature green pea stage (approximately 100-120 td) and frozen at -20 C°. Seeds were removed and three, 1g (FW) samples of uniform color and size seed were homogenized. Purified soluble carbohydrate samples were derivatized and analyzed for concentrations of low molecular weight carbohydrates with a 5890 Gas Chromatography using a Flame Ionization Detector and splitless injection. Values for the simple sugars glucose, fructose and sucrose, had fold ranges of 64, 55 and 9 respectively. On average sucrose represented 83% (range = 17-97%) of the total LMWC and all the simple sugars combined represented 88% (range = 12-99%) of the total LMWC. Values for the raffinose family oligosaccharides, raffinose, stachyose and verbascose, had fold ranges of 251, 32000 and 154 respectively. On average, the RFOs represented 12% of the total LMWC and ranged from less than 1% to 82%. Lines were found which appear to lack stachyose and verbascose without a concomitant increase in raffinose. Lines were also identified which lacked verbascose but had high levels of stachyose