Restoration of meiotic regularity and fertility among derivatives of Lens culinaris x L. Nigricans hybrids

Summary The wild lentil, L. nigricans is cross compatible with the cultivated species. Chromosome pairing in their F₁ hybrids is highly irregular due to a difference of three translocations between the parental species. However, the hybrids are partially fertile and in the F₂ populations there is a marked improvement in fertility. About 19% of the F₂ plants were meiotically stable, fully fertile and their chromosome arrangement was similar to that of the cultivated species. All these are clear indications for the possibility of rapid introgression between the two species and hence systematic screening of L. nigricans for traits of economic value is fully justifiable.