Comparative Karyological and Biochemical Studies of Albizzia procera Benth. and A. chinensis (Orb.) Merr

Abstract

The somatic chromosome number and karyomorphological details were investigated in two tree legumes : Albizzia procera and A. chinensis. Somatic chromosome number was 26 in both the species with common symmetric karyotype formula A₂ B₁₄ C₁₀. Karyological similarities indicate a close relationship between these two taxa. Significant biochemical difference of soluble seed protein content was recorded. Analysis of the soluble seed protein profile through SDS-PAGE (12%) technique clearly exhibited differences in their protein bands between the two species. The characteristic common protein banding pattern both in number (6) and their molecular weights (kDa) also reflected homology between the taxa. The present study on seed protein analysis was found to be useful in demarcation of genetic diversity between the two species of Albizzia which otherwise showed very close in their karyomorphological detail.