Effects of stem fasciation on inflorescence and flower morphology in legumes

Abstract

A comparison of floral and inflorescence morphology was conducted between normal and fasciated accessions of Pisum sativum and Lupinus angustifolius. Pea plants with a fasciation of the main stem exhibited fewer flowers per axillary inflorescence and in some cases fewer ovules per carpel. Flowers of fasciated peas of different origin appeared normal. Oppositely, fasciated mutant of lupine had anomalously increased number of organs in most or all whorls. Differences between regulation of meristem activity in two leguminous species are being discussed with the involvement of literature data.