Lathyrus Species Research Articles

A new species ofLathyrusL. (sectionCicercula; Fabaceae) from Turkey

A new species, Lathyrus egirdiricus H.Genc & A.Sahin (section Cicercula; Fabaceae), is described from Turkey, with illustrations and taxonomic comments. Characteristics of the species are compared with those of the related species Lathyrus hirsutus L., L. stenophyllus Boiss. & Heldr., L. sativus L., L. cassius Boiss. and L. gorgoni Parl., from which it differs mainly in the shape, length, width and venation of leaflets, length and width of the stipule, flower colour, legume and style length. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 158, 301–305.

Electrophoretic analysis of some Lathyrus L. species based on seed storage proteins

Present study reported the variation in electrophoretic seed subfraction (albumins, globulin A, globulin B, glutelins) patterns in some Lathyrus species collected from their natural habitats different localities in Turkey. Electrophoretic data were documented by using a gel documentation system (Bio-Rad, USA) and analysed by using Quantity 1-D analysis software and also the dendograms were formed with 4.0% tolerance in UPGAMA (Unweighed Pair-Group Arithmetic Mean). The differences among species were observed and all seven species were clearly identifiable from the protein patterns. The dendograms obtained from cluster analysis of seed storage proteins data showed examined species have displayed a number of distinct relationships. According to our results, it seems justified to recommend a wider use of electrophoretic analysis of seed storage proteins in taxonomic investigations of leguminous plants.

Karyotype analysis of some Lathyrus L. species (Fabaceae) from the Thrace region (Turkey-in-Europe)

A total of 16 wild species of the genus Lathyrus grown wildly in the region of Thrace (Turkey) were col- lected, identified and examined for karyotype analysis. The species diversity found in this work includes approximately one fourth of all the Lathyrus species in Turkey. Collected specimen were identified as L. niger (L.)Bernh. subsp. niger, L. palustris L. subsp. palustris, L. laxiflorus (Desf.) O.Kuntze subsp. laxiflorus, L. tuberosus L., L. undulatus Boiss., L. sylvestris L., L. sphaericus Retz., L. setifolius L., L. annuus L., L. gorgoni Parl. var. pilosus C.C.Townsend, L. cicera L., L. hirsutus L., L. clymenum L., L. ochrus (L.)DC., L. nissolia L., L. aphaca L. var. aphaca. The chromosome number of all studied taxa except L. palustris L. subsp. palustris (2n=42) was determined as 2n=14. x=7. Studies of karyotype analyses among some species of Lathyrus including L. niger subsp. niger, L. palustris subsp. palustris, L. tuberosus, L. undulatus (endemic for Turkey) L. gorgoni var. pilosus, L. clymenum L., L. ochrus (L.)DC and L. aphaca L. var. aphaca have not been investigated in Turkey. Hence, this data is also the first report on the karyo- type analysis of those six species grown in the Thrace region.

Seed surface characters and their systematic significance in the genus Lathyrus (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Vicieae)

AbstractSeed morphology of 34 species of Lathyrus was examined by light‐ (LM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Quantitative and qualitative features were evaluated to identify groups of species using a phenetic analysis. The used characters were that of testa (luster, multicellular sculpture and homogeneity of cell‐size); anticlinal walls (level, undulation, thickness and 2ry sculpture); outer periclinal walls (level and 2ry sculpture); hilum (shape and length/ width ratio) and the seed length/width ratio. Nine multi‐cellular sculptures and three patterns of secondary sculpture of anticlinal walls were recorded. The most common and remarkable pattern was the prominent stellate like structures on the angles of the anticlinal walls. Many terms used for describing patterns should be reevaluated within the whole tribe to better define of the character states for the multicellular sculpture. The present data were useful to recognize species or groups of species by a unique or combination of character states and had supported the retaining of Lathyrus tingitanus and L. tuberosus in section Lathyrus; the placement of L. neurolobus and L. nissolia in two different monotypic sections; the distinctiveness of the species of sections Aphaca and Pratensis. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Genetic variability of some quality traits in Lathyrus spp. germplasm

Sixty-six accessions representing eighteen species of the genus Lathyrus collected from different geographic regions were evaluated for variations of quality traits (100 seeds weight, ash, total seed proteins and 3-(-N-oxayl)-L-2,3 diaminopropoinc acid – ODAP contents). High variability of ODAP levels was exhibited at both inter-specific and intra-specific levels. This variability was attributed to genetic and environmental factors. No significant correlation was found between ODAP and each of total protein content, ash content and 100 seeds weight. Cluster analysis of C.V. (Coefficient of variance) values for each accession identified the sixty-six accessions into eight groups. The most promising accession for breeding programs was L. sativus from Tunisia. This accession has good grain quality due to relatively low ODAP level and high protein content. The variations of protein content, ash content and 100-seeds weight were also discussed.

Resistance reaction to powdery mildew (Erysiphe pisi) in a germplasm collection of Lathyrus cicera from Iberian origin

Several Lathyrus species have a considerable potential as alternative pulses in sustainable dryland farming systems mainly due to their high tolerance to drought and disease resistance. Powdery mildew is a serious disease affecting several Lathyrus species. Little is known on the availability of resistance and the underlying resistance mechanisms against powdery mildew in the Lathyrus genus. The present study assessed and characterized the resistance reaction to powdery mildew, Erysiphe pisi, in a collection of Iberian Lathyrus cicera accessions. In general, a compatible reaction with no macroscopically visible necrosis was observed but accessions with reduced disease severity despite of a high infection type have also been identified. This Partial Resistance was in some accessions only expressed in the adult plant stage. The controlling genes of the Lathyrus resistance mechanisms can be of great interest not only for the Lathyrus improvement per se but also for related legume species, like field pea.

Lathyrus improvement for resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses: From classical breeding to marker assisted selection

Several Lathyrus species and in particular Lathyrus sativus (grass pea) have great agronomic potential as grain and forage legume, especially in drought conditions. Grass pea is rightly considered as one of the most promising sources of calories and protein for the vast and expanding populations of drought-prone and marginal areas of Asia and Africa. It is virtually the only species that can yield high protein food and feed under these conditions. It is superior in yield, protein value, nitrogen fixation, and drought, flood and salinity tolerance than other legume crops. Lathyrus species have a considerable potential in crop rotation, improving soil physical conditions; reducing the amount of disease and weed populations, with the overall reduction of production costs. Grass pea was already in use in Neolithic times, and presently is considered as a model crop for sustainable agriculture. As a result of the little breeding effort invested in it compared to other legumes, grass pea cultivation has shown a regressive pattern in many areas in recent decades. This is due to variable yield caused by sensitivity to diseases and stress factors and above all, to the presence of the neurotoxin β-N-oxalyl-L-α,β-diaminopropionic acid (β-ODAP), increasing the danger of genetic erosion. However, both L. sativus and L. cicera are gaining interest as grain legume crops in Mediterranean-type environments and production is increasing in Ethiopia, China, Australia and several European countries.

Assessment of nutritive value of cereal and legume straws based on chemical composition and in vitro digestibility

AbstractThe nutritive value of 17 straws was determined on the basis of their chemical composition, in vitro dry matter (DM) digestibility and rumen fermentation kinetics (from gas production curves measured in vitro). Five roughages were from the cereal species Avena sativa (oat), Hordeum vulgare (barley), Secale cereale (rye), Triticum aestivum (wheat) and Zea mays (maize stover). The other 12 samples were legume straws, two samples from each of the species Cicer arietinum (chickpea), Lens culinaris (lentil) and Phaseolus vulgaris (bean) and one sample from each of the species Lathyrus sativus (chickling vetch), Lupinus albus (white lupin), Pisum sativum (field pea), Vicia articulata (one‐flowered vetch), Vicia ervilia (bitter vetch) and Vicia sativa (common vetch). All samples were collected after harvesting from different farms located in León (northwestern Spain). Based on their chemical composition, digestibility and gas production characteristics, species could be clustered into two groups with a significant linkage distance, one for cereal straws that merged at a level of similarity of 80% and the other for legume straws with a degree of similarity of 50%. Species varied widely and significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed between the two groups of straws. Legume straws showed higher crude protein (74 ± 6.1 vs 29 ± 2.2 g kg−1 DM) and lower fibre (584 ± 18.1 vs 793 ± 27.5 g neutral detergent fibre kg−1 DM) contents than cereal straws and, consequently, DM digestibility coefficients (0.670 vs 0.609; standard error of difference 0.0054) and metabolisable energy values (7.4 ± 0.15 vs 5.7 ± 0.24 MJ kg−1 DM) were significantly greater in legume than in cereal straws. Although there were noticeable differences among species within each botanical family, legume straws showed better nutritional quality than cereal straws, indicating that they could be considered promising and interesting sources of roughage for incorporation into ruminant diets. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry

Distribution of the Lathyrus L. 1753 (Fabales, Fabaceae) species in the Vojvodina Province

Most of the Lathyrus species of the Vojvodina Province arc cultivated for fodder. They are protein-containing herbs which easily recover after grazing. Some perennial species survive in grassland communities for ten years or more. Certain species are important melliferous plants. In the Vojvodina Province, they inhabit different habitats like forests and grasslands, dry and wet sites, thus showing a wide distribution range. Besides their floristic and vegetation aspects, their role as green and dry fodder crops should be emphasized.

Systematic relationships inLathyrussect.Lathyrus(Fabaceae) based on amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) data

Amplified fragment length polymorphisms (AFLP) were utilized to examine systematic relationships in Lathyrus L. sect. Lathyrus (Fabaceae). In addition to a parsimony-based phylogenetic tree, AFLP-based trees were constructed using Dice, Jaccard, and mean character difference coefficients to produce distance-based trees using the UPGMA and neighbor-joining methods. All trees clearly show a close relationship among accessions of the same species, confirming the monophyly of the species examined. All analyses indicate that species of the section Lathyrus are distinct from species of other sections. These findings confirm the monophyly of the section and contradict proposals to split it. They do not support the segregation of L. gorgoni in the section Gorgonia. Within the section Lathyrus, several relationships are present but are only weakly supported. The use of AFLP data to resolve systematic relationships in the genus Lathyrus is further demonstrated.Key words: Lathyrus, Fabaceae, systematics, AFLP.

The nutritional value of Lathyrus cicera and Lupinus angustifolius grain for sheep

Certain Lathyrus species have recently been found suitable as multipurpose legume crops in the southern Australian dryland regions, with a potential growing area of 100,000–300,000 ha. However, their use is limited by the presence, mainly in seeds, of 3-(- N-oxalyl)- l-2,3-diamino propionic acid (ODAP), an agent which causes lathyrism. Researchers at the Centre for Legumes in Mediterranean Agriculture (CLIMA) have selected a high yielding variety of Lathyrus cicera (cv. Chalus) which contains consistently low levels of ODAP. The aim of the present study was to assess the nutritional value and animal health aspects of L. cicera cv. Chalus grain as a feed for sheep. Comparisons were made against lupin grain ( Lupinus angustifolius). Eighty individually penned Merino wethers (35±0.3 kg) were allocated to four treatment groups of 20 sheep. Following a 4-week adjustment period, sheep were fed ad libitum the following treatment diets for up to 13 weeks: 35% lathyrus, 35% lupin, 70% lathyrus and 70% lupin. The remainder of the diet was oaten hay and minerals. After 10 weeks on treatments, 14 sheep per group were killed for carcass assessment. The remaining six sheep were fed to maintenance ME requirements for 1 week followed by a 10-day faecal and urinary collection period. Analysis of the grains showed that lathyrus contained less protein (28% versus 36%), fat (0.7 versus 4.1%) and fibre (25% versus 36% NDF), but more starch (42% versus 1%) and anti-nutritional compounds (ODAP, tannins, trypsin inhibitor) than lupin. Essential amino acid composition was similar for the two grains, as were in sacco degradabilities of dry matter (DM) (84% versus 81%) and protein (92% versus 94%). The feeding experiment showed that lathyrus had a higher nutritional value than lupin in terms of voluntary feed intake, liveweight gain ( P<0.01), carcass weights ( P<0.05) and feed efficiency ( P=0.05). Wool growth reflected ME intake, and there was no independent effect of grain type ( P>0.05). Results from the balance study showed that ME concentration was the same for both grains (14 MJ/kg DM). Microbial crude protein (CP) synthesis, estimated from urinary purine derivatives, was significantly lower for lathyrus than lupin, and was lower at 70% grain inclusion than at 35% ( P<0.05). There were no visible or biochemical signs of ill health (in-appetence, lethargy, shaking or instability) in any sheep fed lathyrus. Several sheep fed the 70% lupin diet had mild diarrhoea, and two were eventually removed from the experiment due to anorexia. Meat from sheep fed lupin tended to be yellower than that from those fed lathyrus ( P=0.05). Apart from this, there were no differences in meat quality due to grain type (e.g. redness, pH, taste or tenderness). In conclusion, compared with lupin grain, low ODAP L. cicera grain appears to be of high nutritional value for sheep, with no evidence of adverse effects on sheep health.

Examination of Pisum and Lathyrus species as sources of ascochyta blight resistance for field pea (Pisum sativum)

Ascochyta blight resistance in Pisum sativum (field pea), P. fulvum and Lathyrus species was examined in glasshouse experiments using an isolate of the fungal pathogen Mycosphaerella pinodes that had been isolated from field pea. In the genus Pisum there was significant variation in stem infection among the primitive field pea lines, the field pea cultivars and the P. fulvum lines. Two P. fulvum lines and one primitive field pea line exhibited significantly less stem infection than the two field pea cultivars. Leaf infection of the primitive field pea lines was not significantly different from that of the field pea cultivars. P. fulvum accession PS1115 had the least stem infection and the least leaf infection among the Pisum germplasm. Examination of stem infection in Lathyrus showed that L. sativus, L. ochrus and L. clymenum accessions were significantly more resistant to stem infection than the field pea cultivars. Six of the eight accessions of Lathyrus were also significantly more resistant to leaf infection than the field pea cultivars. Among ten accessions of L. sativus, there was significant variation in severity of stem infection but not leaf infection. This is the first report comparing ascochyta blight resistance between Lathyrus and Pisum species and among Lathyrus accessions and the results show that Lathyrus species may be a source of resistance alleles that could be exploited to develop ascochyta blight resistance in field pea.

Morphological, anatomical and physiological characteristics of Lathyrus latifolius L. - Fabaceae

The Lathyrus species are wild relatives of cultivated peas. Results of morphological, anatomical and physiological analyses of Lathyrus latifolius L. are presented in this paper. Certain measured parameters and observed morphological characteristics are not in agreement with available literature data, whereas no reference to the winged stem width, length of inflorescence pedicle, calyx length and leaflet index can be found. Two forms, f rotundifolium RCHB and f. latifolius BECK have been determined. Leaflets are amphystomatic, with anisocytic stomata present in almost equal number on both epidermises, dorsoventral, with one-layered palisade and many-layered spongy tissue. Stem in transverse section is rotund to oval with two long lateral wing-like expansions and cortical bundles. Mineral element analysis shows that the highest N, P and K concentrations were obtained with the flower while Ca and Na with the leaf. Leaf pigment content was higher than stem content while net photosynthesis rate was twice as high as respiration rate.

Isozymic polymorphism and phylogeny of 10 Lathyrus species.

Isozyme variation and phylogenetic relationships between ten annual andperennial Lathyrus species: L.aphaca, L.articulatus, L.cicera, L.hirsutus, L.latifolius, L.nissolia, L.odoratus, L.ochrus, L.sativus and L.sylvestris were studied. Four enzyme systems,leucine-amino-peptidase (LAP), 6-phosphogluconatedeshydrogenase (6-PGD), glutamateoxalo-acetate transaminase (GOT) and phosphoglucoisomerase(PGI) were analyzed, using gel electrophoresis. Fivepolymorphic loci were detected and eleven alleles were identified at these loci.Zymogram data revealed that almost all-present species studied exhibited isozymepolymorphism. L. latifolius andL. sylvestris maintain high levels ofisozyme diversity, which is probably associated with the perenniality of thesetwo species and their predominantly outcrossing reproduction system. Incontrast, the low level of genetic diversity observed in other species isattributed to their breeding systems. These species are annuals and have higherproportions of selfing. The distribution of genetic variation within and amongspecies showed large genetic differences between the analysed species.PGD-1 andPGD-2 loci contributed the most to thedistinction between species. GOT-2,LAP-1 and PGI-1loci contributed to the distinction within species. The low level of gene flowrevealed could be partly related to the high level of autogamy in the majorityof species. The regroupement of species revealed by Nei's genetic similarityagrees only in parte with Kupicha's classification based on morphologicalcharacters. Thus, these isozymic markers are important in germplasm collectionand conservation.

Amino acids in seeds and seedlings of the genus Lens

The amino acid content of seeds and 4-day-old seedlings were studied in five species of lentil: Lens culinaris, L. orientalis, L. ervoides, L. nigricans and L. odemensis. Free amino acid and also total protein amino acid content after HCl hydrolysis were determined by HPLC. The nonprotein UV-absorbing amino acids were determined by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). The content of free protein amino acids in seeds varied among species and increased dramatically after germination. Asparagine is quantitatively most important in both seed and seedling. The content of free nonprotein amino acids is variable in seeds and seedlings. γ-Hydroxyarginine, γ-hydroxyornithine, α-aminobutyric acid and taurine were found in both seeds and seedlings. Homoarginine was found in four species but not in L. orientalis while γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), α-aminoadipic acid (α-aaa) and three isoxazolinone derivatives: β-(isoxazolin-5-on-2-yl)-alanine (BIA), γ-glutamyl-BIA (γ-glu-BIA) and 2-carboxymethyl-isoxazolin-5-one (CMI) were found exclusively in the seedlings. CMI was identified for the first time in lentil species. Lathyrine, β-(2-amino-pyrimidine-4-yl)-alanine, which was reported to be in the seeds of some Lathyrus species was confirmed to be present also in the seedling of L. culinaris (trace amount), L. nigricans and L. odemensis. Trigonelline ( N-methyl-nicotinic acid), a plant hormone, is present both in seeds and seedlings in different concentrations except in L. ervoides. The different combination of nonprotein amino acids among the species gives indication of their genetic relationship and might partly explain the varying compatibility for interspecies crossing.

The cytogenetics and evolution of forage legumes from Rio Grande do Sul: a review

The work developed by the Cytogenetics Group of the Department of Forage Plants and Agrometeorology (Departamento de Plantas Forrageiras e Agrometerologia - DPFA), Agronomy Faculty, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), are reviewed in the present study. Topics discussed include: the chromosome numbers and meiotic behavior of Desmodium and Vigna; the application of cytogenetic methods (e.g., polyploidy induction in Trifolium riograndense) to plant breeding; the genetic control of chromosome pairing in autopolyploids of T. riograndense; karyotypes of the Vicia sativa aggregate in Southern Brazil as an example of a founder effect leading to a reduction in karyotype but not to morphological variability; data on the karyotypes of four Lathyrus species which show that the evolution of these species has been accompanied by a decrease in chromosome size, and the results of an investigation of variability in chromosome number in a complete genus, Leucaena. The main objectives of the group for the near future are also outlined.

Karyotype morphology and evolution in some Lathyrus (Fabaceae) species of southern Brazil

The karyotypes of Lathyrus nervosus Lam., L. pubescens Hook. et Arn., L. paranensis Burk. and L. crassipes Gill ap. Hook et Arn., native to Rio Grande do Sul (southern Brazil), are described in detail for the first time. All taxa have 2n = 14 chromosomes. The karyotypic formulae were 2 m + 12 sm for L. nervosus, L. pubescens and L. paranensis and 4 m + 10 sm for L. crassipes. In all species, the smallest chromosome pair bore a secondary constriction with a satellite in the long arm. Intraspecific variability in the position and number of secondary constrictions was observed in L. nervosus and L. pubescens. All of the species had a conservative and similar karyotype morphology, but differed in total complement size by as much as 20% between the highest (L. nervosus) and lowest (L. crassipes) values. These results suggest that changes in chromosome size during evolution have been similar for all the chromosomes of the complement. Together with data on the life cycle and mode of reproduction, these results also indicate that L. crassipes is a derived taxon, if an evolutionary trend towards a decrease in chromosome size is accepted.

Physiological adaptation to low temperatures of strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae associated with Lathyrus spp.1

Strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae, isolated from the legume species Lathyrus japonicus and Lathyrus pratensis in northern Quebec (Canada), showed different capacities for growing at low temperature. In the present study, we investigated some mechanisms related to cold adaptation. Two cold-adapted strains (psychrotrophs) were compared to a poorly adapted strain and to a cold-sensitive strain (reference strain) for freezing survival, protein induction and fatty acid composition under low temperature. Following cold shocks (25 degrees C to 10, 5 and 0 degrees C), a common 6.1-kDa CSP (cold shock protein) was induced in all strains, but the total number of CSPs synthesized at 0 degrees C was higher in cold-adapted strains than in the cold-sensitive strain. The synthesis of CAPs (cold acclimation proteins) was observed under continuous growth at 5 degrees C in all three strains capable of growth at this temperature. Levels of survival after 24 h at -80 degrees C where higher in cold- (79%) and poorly adapted (64%) strains than in the cold-sensitive strain (33%), but a 2-h acclimation period at 5 degrees C before freezing doubled the survival of the cold-sensitive strain. Low temperature conditions affected similarly the fatty acid composition of all strains, regardless of their cold adaptation level. The proportion of unsaturated fatty acids increased significantly with the lowering of growth temperature from 25 to 5 degrees C, but showed a tendency to decrease after a cold shock from 25 to 5 degrees C. A specific unsaturated fatty acid, cis-12 octadecanoic acid, was produced during growth at 5 degrees C. The unsaturated cis-vaccenic acid was the principal component under all conditions. The cold adaptation trait was weakly reflected in symbiosis with the agronomic legume, Lathyrus sativus, with which one cold-adapted strain showed a slightly higher nitrogenase activity and shoot dry matter yield than a commercial strain under a sub-optimal temperature regime.

Physiological adaptation to low temperatures of strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae associated with Lathyrus spp.

Strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. viciae, isolated from the legume species Lathyrus japonicus and Lathyrus pratensis in northern Quebec (Canada), showed different capacities for growing at low temperature. In the present study, we investigated some mechanisms related to cold adaptation. Two cold-adapted strains (psychrotrophs) were compared to a poorly adapted strain and to a cold-sensitive strain (reference strain) for freezing survival, protein induction and fatty acid composition under low temperature. Following cold shocks (25°C to 10, 5 and 0°C), a common 6.1-kDa CSP (cold shock protein) was induced in all strains, but the total number of CSPs synthesized at 0°C was higher in cold-adapted strains than in the cold-sensitive strain. The synthesis of CAPs (cold acclimation proteins) was observed under continuous growth at 5°C in all three strains capable of growth at this temperature. Levels of survival after 24 h at −80°C where higher in cold- (79%) and poorly adapted (64%) strains than in the cold-sensitive strain (33%), but a 2-h acclimation period at 5°C before freezing doubled the survival of the cold-sensitive strain. Low temperature conditions affected similarly the fatty acid composition of all strains, regardless of their cold adaptation level. The proportion of unsaturated fatty acids increased significantly with the lowering of growth temperature from 25 to 5°C, but showed a tendency to decrease after a cold shock from 25 to 5°C. A specific unsaturated fatty acid, cis-12 octadecanoic acid, was produced during growth at 5°C. The unsaturated cis-vaccenic acid was the principal component under all conditions. The cold adaptation trait was weakly reflected in symbiosis with the agronomic legume, Lathyrus sativus, with which one cold-adapted strain showed a slightly higher nitrogenase activity and shoot dry matter yield than a commercial strain under a sub-optimal temperature regime.

Interspecific hybridisation of &lt;i&gt;Lathyrus sativus&lt;/i&gt; (Guaya) with wild Lathyrus species and embryo rescue

Lathyrus sativus is an economically important legume crop cultivated for food and forage in Asia and Africa. The use of this hardy drought tolerant and high yielding crop, however, has been limited because of a neurotoxin, _-N-oxalyl-L-_,_-diaminopropionic acid (ODAP) in the seeds. The objective of this study was to increase the genetic diversity of L. sativus by interspecific hybridisation with wild Lathyrus species devoid or with very low ODAP content. This would in turn assist to study the biochemical and genetic mechanisms which control the biosynthesis of ODAP. L. sativus was crossed with 12 wild Lathyrus species. Except for the reciprocal crosses of L. sativus and L. pseudo-cicera, others failed to develop viable seeds. In several of the interspecific hybrids, pod development was observed but embryos aborted during early stages of development. Embryo culture was attempted to rescue these immature embryos. The response of the interspecific hybrid embryos to in vitro culture varied. Cell proliferation and callus induction were observed in most of the combinations, and mature plants were regenerated from immature embryos of a cross between L. sativus (male parent) and L. cicera (female parent) both of which contain ODAP. However, it is expected that, with few modifications, this method will be useful in other interspecific hybrid combinations of Lathyrus. Key Words: Hybridisation, Lathyrus, lathyrine, Neurotoxin, ODAP (African Crop Science Journal: 2000, 8(2): 129-136)