Genetic relationships among the genera Cicer L., Lathyrus L., Lens Mill., and Vicia L., together with similarity of Lens taxa based on morphological and AFLP markers

Abstract

The molecular characterization of the seven taxa in the genus Lens Mill. with Vicia montbretii has not been performed, and species of the genera Vicia L., Lathyrus L., and Cicer L. using AFLP markers have not been elucidated so far. The objectives of the present study were the assessment of (i) genetic relationships among the genera Lens, Vicia, Lathyrus, and Cicer based on AFLP markers, (ii) relationships within the genus Lens including the accessions of L. lamottei Czefr., L. tomentosus Ladiz., and L. odemensis Ladiz., based on morphological and AFLP data, and (iii) position of the species Vicia montbretii (Fisch. and Mey.) Davis and Plitmann based on molecular markers. The genetic material consisted of seven Lens taxa comprising each three accessions of cultivated lentils (L. culinaris Medik.), L. orientalis (Boiss.) Ponert, L. tomentosus, L. odemensis, L. ervoides (Brign.) Grande, and L. nigricans (M.Bieb.) Godr., plus two L. lamottei accessions. Two Vicia montbretii accessions were also included to assess their relationship with the genus Lens Mill. As morphological markers the number of toothed stipules, stipule angle, aristae on peduncle, and pod pubescence were evaluated regarding lentil species. Of the 414 AFLP markers, 280 entailing the most informative and polymorphic were used for the molecular analysis. The genus Lens was genetically closer to the genera Vicia and Lathyrus than to the genus Cicer. V. montbretti was well separated from the genus Lens. The results indicated the following genetic relationship: Lens culinaris subsp. culinaris, Lens culinaris subsp. orientalis, Lens culinaris subsp. tomentosus, Lens culinaris subsp. odemensis, L. ervoides, L. lamottei, and L. nigricans.