Effect of seed abortion on the pattern of seed formation in Lathyrus maritimus and L-sativus (Fabaceae)

The pattern of seed abortion in developing pods of beach pea Lathyrus marit imus (L.) BIGEL. was studied at 6 reproductive growth stages in comparison to seed abortion in grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.). In both crops, the fre quency distribution of developing seeds did not match to that of ovules per ovary and cryptic seed abortion started early in pod ontogeny and reached maximum at stage 2. Only 68 % and 82 % of ovules produced mature seeds in b each pea and grass pea respectively. The pattern of seed abortion and devel opment within developing pods was random in beach pea and nonrandom in gras s pea. Ovules located in position 1 and 2 at the basal region of pods showe d higher seed abortion in beach pea. In grass pea, the probability of seed abortion increased towards the basal end of the pod.