Interspecific Variation of Morphological Traits in Lens nigricans, L. ervoides and L. odemensis Wild Lentil Species

To study the genetic diversity and determine the role of morphological traits in determination of relationship between different species of wild lentil، 96 accessions of wild lentil collection of NPGBI from Lens nigricans، L. ervoides and L. odemensis were characterized according to instruction of IPGRI. Twenty four morphological traits were assessed. Statistical parameters of traits were calculated and coefficient variance percentage and Shannon index were used to estimate genetic diversity. The results of descriptive statistics showed a considerable variation among and between different accessions. Among quantitative traits، 100 seed weight (CV= 114%)، rachis length (CV= 55%)، rachis to peduncle length ratio (CV= 49. 5%) and the number of pod per peduncle (CV= 33%) had the most، and calyx length and leaflet width (CV= 25%) had the least variation in different species. Based on Shannon index، in qualitative traits، stipule shape (1. 02) and pod pigmentation (0. 92) showed high variation. But pod dehiscence and shedding had lower variation. In multivariate analysis of quantitative and qualitative traits، morphological characters could almost distinguish L. ervoides from two other species. Considerable similarities especially in qualitative traits were observed in Lens nigricans and L. odemensis accessions so they could not be differentiated by these characters.