Presence and activity of Trypsin and chymotrypsin isoinhibitors in the annual species of Cicer

The trypsin and chymotrypsin isoinhibitors of eight annual species of Cicer, including the cultigen, C. arietinum, had the same migration rate in gel electrophoresis. According to the relative inhibitory activity found in the various species, they were grouped in three classes. These were identical to those based on the intercrossing potential of the annual chickpeas. The suggestions made in the literature regarding the value of protease inhibitors in seeds as defence mechanisms against insects were assessed and discussed according to the situation in the annual species of Cicer.