Seed dispersal in relation to the domestication of Middle East Legumes

G. Ladizinsky*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

Modification of seed dispersal was perhaps one of the most important steps towards domestication of seed crops. Among the legumes of the Middle East, four patterns of such modification can be distinguished in the process of domestication. The initial stage of domestication of lentil, pea and grass pea was apparently due to a single mutation in a major gene that prevented pod dehiscente. In chick pea the domesticated type was formed by accumulation of several mutations in minor genes that reduced the amount of pod dropping and shattering. From a seed dispersal point of view, fenugreek was preadapted to cultivation since the wild species do not shatter their seeds. In the bitter vetch and common vetch partial seed shattering apparently was tolerable and desirable under cultivation since the seed served merely for sowing the next year crop.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)284-289
Number of pages6
JournalEconomic Botany
Volume33
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1979

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