Genetic diversity and relationships in Lens species and their F-1 interspecific hybrids as determined by SDS-PAGE

Seed proteins of cultivated lentil (Lens culinaris ssp. culinaris), its wild relatives-L. culinaris ssp. orientalis, L. odemensis, L. ervoides, L. nigricans, and their interspecific hybrids were analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Protein bands were scored for presence or absence and genetic distances were calculated and utilised for split decomposition analysis. Similarity matrix analyses were also carried out. Results show that L. culinaris ssp. orientalis and L. odemensis are probably the wild progenitors of cultivated lentil. Interspecific hybrids show different degrees of genetic similarity to their parents. Caution is suggested if SDS-PAGE is used to predict genetic relationships of lens interspecific hybrids because of differences found between known genetic similarities, and similarities suggested by SDS-PAGE of F-1 hybrids.