Inheritance of leaf color in Allium fistulosum

Abstract

The petiole color of Allium fistulosum cultivated in Japan is white. A mutant having red petiole was found in 1963. In the cross between red and white and the reciprocal, the F1 was red, and the F2 and F3 consisted of 3 red: 1 white (Table 1, 2). Red color in F1, F2 and F3 was much paler than that of the parent. C, a basic color gene, R, a gene for production of red pigment, and a few intensifiers are assumed.A low temperature sensitive chlorophyll deficient mutant was found in 1964. This plant developed normally in early stage. When overwintered, yellow leaves appeared. However normal green leaves reappeared during the spring growing season. The physiological mechanism of chlorophyll deficiency induced by low temperature is being studied.