Abstract
Abstract Frequency of natural hybridization of P. vulgaris and P. coccineus was observed over two seasons. Natural hybridization ranged from zero to 6.79%, and was dependent upon parental combination. Bumblebees appeared to be the principal insect pollinators. The best P. coccineus pollen parent, P.I. 223803, had scarlet flowers and was relatively early in maturity. The P. vulgaris cultivar which hybridized most frequently, ‘Tender-green’, had a high frequency of atypical flowers. In many of the atypical flowers the standard and keel petals were not fully developed, thereby leaving the reproductive parts exposed to insect pollinators. It is suggested that natural hybridization might be useful in transferring P. coccineus genes for disease resistance into P. vulgaris lines.
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