Genetic variability of the low-molecular-weight glutenin subunits in spelt wheat (Triticum aestivum ssp spelta L. em Thell.)

The low-molecular-weight glutenin subunit composition of a collection of 403 accessions of spelt wheat (Triticum aestivum ssp. spelta L. em. Thell) was analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Extensive variation was found, including 46 different patterns for zone B and 16 for zone C. Patterns within zone B exhibited from two to six bands and patterns in zone C had between four and six bands in SDS-PAGE gels. A higher number of bands was observed when urea was added to the gels. Zone B exhibited between six and 11 bands, and we identified 14 new patterns in this zone. For zone C, up to ten new patterns that comprised between five and nine bands were detected. For both zones, 86 patterns were found. The variability detected in this material is greater than that detected in other hulled wheats.