Chlorophyll Mutations in Peanuts, Arachis bypogaea L.: I. Pigment Analysis1

Abstract

Six chloroplast pigments of leaves from both normal and mutant types of peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) and from their hybrids were separated and identified by twodimensional paper and sugar column chromatography. Chlorophylls a and b, neoxanthin, violaxanthin, lutein, and carotenes were determined in all normal and mutant plants. Quantities present in various mutants were different. Carotenoid contents of the lutescens mutants were much reduced with respect to those of normal or aureus leaves, especially in xanthophylls. Crosses of various mutants gave progeny having a variety of lowered carotenoid contents. Crosses between normal and mutant plants also were deficient in certain carotenoids. The aureus mutant did not retain the chlorophylls as long as normal plants, whereas the lutescens plants did not accumulate these pigments to the normal amount (especially chlorophyll b). The F1 plants from crosses between normal and lutescens plants and between aureus and lutescens plants appeared to be phenotypically normal and to have approximately the normal contents of chlorophylls a and b.