Natural Crossing in Lens esculenta Moench1

Abstract

Five selected lines of lentils ( Lens esculenta Moench.) were used to determine percentages of natural crossing. First generation seed was classified into S 1 and F 1 groups after recessive fluorescent yellow cotyledonous maternal flowers were crossed naturally with pollen for dominant red cotyledonous flowers. Natural pollination between lines ranged from 0.01 to 0.08%. No F 1 seed was produced on plants inside of wire screened cages although the cages included honeybees, air-borne pollen and maternal and paternal plants having alleles for yellow and red cotyledons, respectively. This indicates that neither honeybees nor air-borne pollen are major factors in natural cross pollinations. Seed yields from caged plants indicate that lentils are highly self-pollinated and need no agent to assist self-pollination.