Intra-specific and inter-sub-specific crossing in lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.)

Abstract

Lentil crosses (Lens culinaris ssp. culinaris and L. c. ssp. orientalis) were carried out in the greenhouse and in the field, and the effects of genotype and some environmental conditions on crossing success were assessed. In the greenhouse in the fall, the independent variables "Male" and "Hour" influenced pod and seed set per pollinated flower and "Temperature" affected seed number per pod. Some genotypes and different cross combinations were better under greenhouse conditions. Seed set per pollinated flower of the best inter-sub-specific cross combination in the greenhouse (Lupa x orientalis) averaged 55.2%, while for other intra and inter-sub-specific crosses the average ranged between 3.6 to 23.5%, with an average seed set of 24.4%. Selfed progeny, as determined by morphological and molecular markers, was 5%. Fall crossing success in the greenhouse was favored by temperatures of 20-25°C and sunny mornings. In the field, none of the dependent variables significantly influenced pod or seed set per cross. The intra-specific field seed set per pollinated flower ranged from 0 to 31.1%, with a mean seed set of 13.3%. Spring crossing success in the field was favored by cloudy and rainy days with mild temperatures. Under field conditions, intra-specific crossing success was considerably lower in the spring compared to the inter-sub-specific (L. c. ssp. culinaris x L. c. ssp. orientalis) success obtained in the greenhouse in the fall.