Low Trypsin Inhibitors and Chymotrypsin Inhibitors in Winged Bean Mutants

In present studies several attempts have been made to reduce the amount of trypsin and chymotrypsin inhibitors in winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) mutants developed through induced mutation. The low seed TI (trypsin inhibitor) lines comprised long pod-5 and long pod-2 mutant lines. The low tuber TI feature could be noted in the mutant population. Such lines were long pod-5, large leaf/high yield-5, dark green/flat pod-4 and anthostem-3. The CTI (chymotrypsin) content in seed and tuber of mutant lines has revealed a good amount of variation. The low seed CTI lines like flat pod/wingless-2, large leaf/high yielding-2, early maturing-2 and dwarf-5 could be distinctly observed among the varied mutants of winged bean. The seeds and tubers of such low TI and CTI mutant lines are easy for digestion as compared to original germplasm. The winged bean mutants carrying lowered levels of TI/CTI are likely to assume significant importance and immense economic value especially in regard to their nutritional potential. The detailed understanding of the genetics of inhibitors and other antinutritional components present in winged bean mutants would prove immensely helpful to breeders in planning their programmes directed towards qualitative enhancement of winged