The cytogenetic relationship between Cicer judaicum Boiss. and Cicer chorassanicum (Bge.) M. Pop.

Abstract

A single plant was produced of the interspecific hybrid Cicer judaicum Boiss. (2n = 16) × Cicer chorassanicum (Bge.) M. Pop. (2n = 16), but none was produced from the reciprocal cross. The hybrid plant was intermediate in morphology between the parental species with the dominant purple flower color of C. judaicum. The hybrid plant had a diploid somatic chromosome number of 2n = 16 and was characterized cytologically. The hybrid had a low chiasmata frequency (5.4 ± 1.2 vs. 12.1 and 11.4 in the parental species) per cell and was highly sterile. The flowers were abnormal in that the stigma and style grew out of the keel, while the anthers remained inside. Sterility and abnormal floral structure may play important roles in maintenance of species identity. Key words: interspecific hybrid.