Changes in the activity of sucrose synthases and invertase in reproductive stage of lentil cultivars differing in seed size

Abstract

Seed size is the most important component of seed yield and an important trait for consumer preference. To understand mechanisms governing seed size in lentil, the present investigation was carried out on sucrolytic enzymes in podwall and seeds of two small (PL 4 and LL 699) and two bold (DPL 62 and IPL 406) seeded lentil cultivars during crop development. The activities of sucrolytic enzymes viz. sucrose synthase and invertases were compared in developing pods and seeds of two genotypes of lentil differing in seed size. The lower activities of acid and alkaline invertases in pod wall of bold seeded as compared to small seeded might be helping to channel more sucrose towards the seeds. The rapid decrease in invertase activities in seeds of bold seeded at 21 DAF and higher and sustained activity of sucrose synthase in their seeds upto 35 DAF as compared to small seeded indicates longer seed filling duration and higher sink strength in them that might be responsible for their increased seed size at maturity.