NEW INTERSPECIFIC HYBRIDS IN LATHYRUS (LEGUMINOSAE) - LATHYRUS-ANNUUSX LATHYRUS-HIEROSOLYMITANUS

Experimental hybridization, cytogenetic observation, flower pigment an alyses and scanning electron microscope observations of seed coat feat ures were used to investigate the relationship between L. annuus L. an d L. hierosolymitanus Boiss. Pod width, seed size, shape and surface o rnamentation proved to be good diagnostic criteria for distinguishing the two taxa. Hybridization between various accessions of the two spec ies revealed variation both between and within accessions. Enhanced an thocyanin levels were detected in the standard petals of the reciproca l hybrids made between two specific accessions of L. annuus and L. hie rosolymitanus. The results of the investigations support the retention of L. annuus and L. hierosolymitanus as separate species.