Interspecific hybridization between Lathyrus odoratus and L. belinensis

The recent introduction to cultivation of Lathyrus belinensis has enabled experimental crosses to be made with cultivars of the sweet pea L. odoratus. Lathyrus belinensis has flowers with yellow pigmentation, a color missing from cultivars of sweet pea. Chemical analyses revealed that three pigment types, carotenoid, flavonoid, and anthocyanin, are present in L. belinensis, which is easily identified as seedling leaves exhibit a diagnostic red pigment spot and pods are membranous and indehiscent. Like L. odoratus, L. belinensis is distinctly scented. A hybrid was established by means of embryo rescue. Karyotypes of the parental species are very similar, and meiotic pairing in the hybrid indicated considerable homology. The hybrid between L. belinensis and the cream-flowered L. odoratus cv Mrs. Collier showed reduced vigor and novel flower color. A chemical/biochemical rationalization for the observed color changes is presented. Light and scanning electron microscopy showed differences in petal surface features and the distribution of pigments within petals.