Eighty-five samples from fifteen different legume seed lines generally available in the UK were examined by measurements of their net protein utilization by rats and by haemagglutination tests with erythrocytes from a number of different animal species. From these results the seeds were classified into four broad groups. Group a seeds from most varieties of kidney (Phaseolus vulgaris), runner (...

A spontaneous mutant with natural seed-coat cracking, designated "cracked seed-coat mutant (CSM)," was identified in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) from an F(2) population of a cross ICRISAT chickpea (ICC) 10301 × ICC 12430. The extent of seed-coat cracking (SCC) varied widely from a minute to several wide cracks. Seed coats showed cracks before seeds were fully developed and the plants had reac...

Ureidoglycolate is an intermediate in the degradation of the ureides, allantoin and allantoate, found in many organisms. In some leguminous plant species these compounds are used to transport recently fixed nitrogen in the root nodules to the aerial parts of the plant. In the present study, it was demonstrated that purified ureidoglycolases from chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and French bean (Phase...

Ferritins store and sequester iron, and regulate iron homeostasis. The cDNA for a stress-responsive phytoferritin, previously identified in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of chickpea (Cicer arietinum), was cloned and designated CaFer1. The CaFer1 transcript was strongly induced in chickpea exposed to dehydration, hypersalinity and ABA treatment. Additionally, it has role in the defense against ...