A NOVEL PEA (PISUM SATIVUM L.) PHENOTYPE WITH BLACK HILUM SEEDS

The pea (Pisum sativum L.) line 2/1428 M was isolated after gamma-irradiation of dry seeds (50 Gy) of pea mutant 2/978. The latter had reduced leaflet- and stipules size, character with monogenic dominant inheritance, and increased L/W indices. The line 2/1428 M was characterized by normal leaf shape, tall plants and black hilum seeds. The induced dominant mutation in 2/978 line, which affects the leaf shape and leaf size show a reversal in the line 2/1428 M to the wild type cv Borek, the cultivar from which both mutants were produced. The other altered characters - elongated internode length (tall plants) and black seed hilum were dominant with independent inheritance. Results from this study indicate genetic instability of the black hilum character in 2/1428 M, which could be an obstacle for further genetic investigations. Despite genetic instability mutant plants are both viable and fertile and show high vigour. Together these characteristics make 2/1428 M a highly valuable research tool with the potential to provide many insights into the plant development and physiology.