Inheritance Of Flower Color Research Articles

Inheritance of flower colour and flavonoid pigments in Gerbera

AbstractThe flower colour of Gerbera, an important ornamental cut flower, is derived from carotenoids and flavonoids. The knowledge of enzymological and genetic control of flavonoid biosynthesis is still incomplete. The present paper summarizes the results obtained at our institute between 1981 and 1993. The material for the investigation of phenotypic segregation and segregation of flavonoids after chromatographic analysis came from 408 progenies of controlled crosses. Phenotypic segregation analysis showed acyanic genotypes to be homozygous recessive and recessive epistatic over cyanic genotypes, respectively. This was confirmed by the existence of two loci controlling steps in biosynthesis (fht, dfr or ans) showing recessive mutants and complementary gene action after crosses. Flavone formation is effected by one dominant allele (fns+); dominant and recessive genotypes are now available. Regarding anthocyanidin inheritance, an unusual epistasis of 4′‐hydroxylation (pelargonidin formation) over 3′,4′‐hydroxylation (cyanidin formation) was observed. Final proof of the postulated gene actions will come from enzymological and molecular biological investigations of the chemogenetically defined Gerbera genotypes now available.

Inheritance of neurotoxin (ODAP) content, flower and seed coat colour in grass pea (Lathyrus sativus L.)

A strong epidemiological association is known to exist between the consumption of grass pea and lathyrism. A neurotoxin, β-N-Oxalyl-L-α, β-diaminopropanoic acid (ODAP) has been identified as the causative principle. This study was undertaken to investigate the mode of inheritance of the neurotoxin ODAP, flower and seed coat colour in grass pea. Five grass pea lines with low to high ODAP concentration were inter-crossed in all possible combinations to study the inheritance of the neurotoxin. Parents, F1 and F2 progenies were evaluated under field condition and ODAP analyzed by an ortho-phthalaldehyde spectrophotometric method. Many of the progenies of low x low ODAP crosses were found to be low in ODAP concentration indicating the low ODAP lines shared some genes in common for seed ODAP content. The F1 progenies of the low ODAP x high ODAP crosses were intermediate in ODAP concentration and the F2 progenies segregated covering the entire parental range. This continuous variation, together with very close to normal distribution of the F2 population both of low x low and low x high ODAP crosses indicated that ODAP content was quantitatively inherited. Reciprocal crosses, in some cases, produced different results indicating a maternal effect on ODAP concentration. Blue and white flower coloured lines of grass pea were inter-crossed to study the inheritance of flower colour. Blue flower colour was dominant over the white. The F2 progenies segregated in a 13:3 ratio indicating involvement of two genes with inhibiting gene interactions. The gene symbol LB for blue flower colour and LW for white flower colour is proposed.

Identification and mapping of three flower colour loci of potato (S. tuberosum L.) by RFLP analysis

The inheritance of flower colour in diploid potato (2 n = 2x = 24), was found to be controlled by three unlinked loci D, F and P. To determine the allelism with previously described loci and to dissect this oligogenic trait, a set of tester clones with well-defined genotypes was developed. By backcrossing the mapping population with these tester clones it was possible to obtain monogenic segregation ratios. These were required to detect linkage with RFLP loci and, despite distorted Mendelian ratios, the inheritance and mapping of the D, F and P loci could be unambiguously determined. Locus D, involved in the biosynthesis of red anthocyanins, was mapped on chromosome 2, while locus P, involved in the production of blue anthocyanins, was mapped on chromosome 11. Locus F, involved in the flower-specific expression of gene(s) accommodated by the D and P loci, was mapped on chromosome 10. The tester clones and the map position of the D, F and P loci may be of considerable value in simplifying the genetics of anthocyanin pigmentation.

Inheritance of Pink Flower in Soybean

In soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], there are several possible flower colors: white, near‐white, purple, purple‐throat, and magenta. We report a new flower color, described as pink, which is distinct from all previously reported flower colors. Segregation ratios for the progeny row in which the mutant was found, and subsequent selfed progeny, indicate that the pink flower color is controlled by a single recessive gene. When this pink‐flowered plant was crossed with all reported flower color genes and the F2 populations classified for flower color, results indicate that the pink flower gene is independent of known flower color genes and acts as a modifier gene to decrease pigment expression at the W1 locus. We propose the gene symbol wp to be used to describe pink flower color inheritance.

Inheritance of anthocyanin pigmentation in flower color of chrysanthemum.

Inheritance of the flower color in chrysanthemum particularly anthocyanin pigmentation was analyzed by using spectrophotometry. Genetic analysis of the inheritance of anthocyanin pigmentation showed that chrysanthemum cultivars used in this experiment belonged to three groups. In the first group the gene for anthocyanin pigment biosynthesis appeared in the homozygous recessive state. The cultivars belonging to this group had either white or yellow flower and can be useful for testing lines for anthocyanin pigmentation. In the second group, the genes were in the heterozygous condition. While in the third group, the presence of two genes in the heterozygous state with two distinct genes was noted. It was suggested that a chimerical structure be considered in the analysis of the flower color inheritance. The possible role of the gene in the step involving dihydroflavonol to anthocyanin formation in the anthocyanin biosynthesis was also presented.

Inheritance of carotenoid pigmentation in flower color of chrysanthemum.

Experiments were carried out to analyse the inheritance of the flower color, especially carotenoid pigmentation, in chrysanthemum. Such as determination can be performed easily by measuring the amount of light transmitted in fresh, intact petals, using spectrophotometry regardless of the presence of carotenoid pigments in the petals. Based on the results of the genetic background analysis of the inheritance of carotenoid pigmentation, chrysanthemum cultivars used in this experiment were classified into three groups. In the first group a heterozygous dominant inhibitor genes for carotenoid pigment biosynthesis was identified while in the second group no such dominant inhibitor gene was present and in the third group the gene constitution was complex and characterized by the presence of a heterozygous dominant inhibitor gene and heterozygous dominant gene for carotenoid pigmentation. The wild species, Chrysanthemum japonense, was different from the chrysanthemum cultivars used in this experiment in that species harboured a homozygous dominant inhibitor gene at least a single locus. Therefore, in all the F1 progenies derived from the crossing of this species with several varieties no plants with yellow flowers were observed. Moreover, it is suggested that a chimerical strucrue should be considered in analyses of the flower color inheritance.

Independent Inheritance of Flower Colour and Male‐Fertility Restorer Characters in Brassica napus L.

AbstractAvailable material of oilseed (Brassica napus L., AACC) comprises two yellow‐flowered breeding lines and a white/pale‐flowered line of resynthesized rape. The flower colour white/pale is dominant over yellow, and is controlled by a gene located in the C‐genome. The yellow‐flowered genotypes acted as restorer lines and the white/pale‐flowered genotype as a maintainer line in a cytoplasmic male sterility system. The segregation pattern of flower colour and male fertility restorer characters were studied in F2 generations of crosses between these lines, also in a three‐way cross additionally including a yellow flowered B. campestris (AA) line. Evidense was obtained in support of the conclusion that the flower colour and male fertility restorer characters are monogenically controlled and independently inherited. Whether the male fertility restorer gene is located in the A or C genome remains to be determined.

Models of inheritance of flower colour and extra petals in Potentilla fruticosa L.

Inheritance models for flower colour and extra petals in Potentilla fruticosa L. were developed by conducting controlled crosses between different cultivars and advanced selections. Parents were crossed in all combinations and floral character segregation of progenies were recorded. Preliminary models for flower colour include two whitening genes (W1 and W2) and two yellowing genes (Y1 and Y2) with the action of a bleaching gene also implicated. The cyanic flower colour model developed involves background petal colour, cyanic pigments and distribution and temperature sensitivity genes. The extra petals model involves a two gene switch, D1 and D2 to turn on the production of up to five extra petals and a modifier gene, Dm that accounts for an additional one to five extra petals. Either D1 or D2 must be recessive to initiate extra petal production. Dm must also be recessive to enable production of an additional 1–5 petals.

Reciprocal cross differences in a 6×6 diallel set of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in the F1 generation

Reciprocal cross differences were studied in a 6×6 diallel full set comprising of thirty hybrid combinations of groundnut in the F1 generation. Reciprocal cross differences were observed for growth habit in four pairs of crosses, for leaf colour, flower colour and stem pigmentation in two pairs of crosses each. It was observed that the inheritance of flower colour, stem pigmentation and testa colour which exhibited different shades of purple colour was likely to be governed by pleiotropic gene(s). Among the quantitative characters significantly positive reciprocal effects were observed in different crosses for number of mature pods per plant, weight of pods per plant and shelling percent. Marked reciprocal cross differences were observed for pod and kernel characters like pod filling, pod beak, pod constriction and testa colour.

Inheritance of flower pigments in tulip (Tulipa L.)

In order to investigate the inheritance of flower colour in tulips, seven cultivars were crossed and selfed in a diallel. Of these parents and their F1's the relative amounts of carotenoids, delphinidin, cyanidin, pelargonidin, quercetin and kaempferol were determined.

Inheritance of Flower Color in Guayule1

Five sexual diploid guayule (Parthenium argentatum Gray) plants, two with purple and three with white flower color were selfed, open‐pollinated, and crossed in all possible combinations. Except for one white parent which produced two plants, the parents failed to produce progenies by selfing. All of the parents produced progenies upon open‐pollination. Due to the existence of a sporophytic system of incompatibility in diploid guayule, only compatible crosses produced F1 plants. Crosses among white parents produced only white progenies. Reciprocal crosses between two purple parents produced fifty purple and one white plants. Crosses between purple and white parents produced either all white or white and purple progenies in 1:1 ratio. These results and the results obtained from the open‐pollination of the parents indicated that purple flower color is a recessive trait which is controlled by one pair (p controlling purple and P controlling white) of genes. The presence of modifiers accounting for the light to dark purple variability in flower color is postulated also. Purple flower color is expected to serve as a valuable genetic marker especially in studies directed toward the determination of the degree of apomixis in guayule.

WHITE FLOWER COLOR IN RAPE (BRASSICA NAPUS) ASSOCIATED WITH A RADISH (RAPHANUS SATIVUS) CHROMOSOME

The inheritance of flower color was investigated in progeny from crosses between a normal, yellow flowering rape strain (Brassica napus L.) and a white flowering strain developed at the University of Manitoba by backcrossing the white flower color from Raphanobrassica into B. napus. The chromosome number of all yellow flowering plants examined was normal (2n = 38), whereas all white flowering plants examined contained a single or a pair of small radish (Raphanus sativus L.) chromosomes each carrying a dominant gene(s) for white flower color. The homozygous white flowering rape strain was in fact an alien addition line (2n = 40) disomic for a pair of radish chromosomes. The transmission and meiotic behavior of this alien chromosome as a univalent was investigated in the progeny of crosses involving the white flowering F1 hybrid. Cytological observations of meiotic metaphase 1 indicated that the univalent should be transmitted with 24.6% of the gametes. This was in agreement with the observed transmission of 24.3% through the female gametes. Transmission through the pollen ranged from 22.1% to 0.7%, the variation in certation depending on the genetic constitution of the pistil and on the time of pollination. The vigor, fertility and true breeding nature of the white flowering strain suggested that the white flower color factor from the radish had been introgressed into the rape genome. Cytological observations were necessary to demonstrate that introgression had not taken place and to aid in the interpretation of the genetic ratios observed.

The inheritance of flower colour and vegetative characters in Rubus coreanus

Dominant genes An1 for pink flower colour and Br1 and Br2 controlling branching of the canes in Rubus coreanus are described. In an F1 progeny and in first backcrosses to red raspberry, some seedlings inherited the ability of R. coreanus to form up to three accessory buds per node. Polygenic systems controlling spine number and spine size are described, number and size being positively correlated. It is postulated that the greater size of spines of h (glabrous-caned) plants is due to linkage of a block of size-controlling genes with the H locus. The greater number of spines of H (hairy-caned) plants is attributed to a pleiotropic effect of the H allele. A new type of dwarf, ‘cauli-flower’, which occurred in the F1 and some first backcross progenies, is described.

Inheritance of Flower and Foliage Characteristics in Mountain Laurel (Kalmia latifolia L.)1

Abstract Many unusual forms of mountain laurel are under simple genetic control. Myrtifolia (m) and polypetala (p) appear to be controlled by single recessive genes. Two types of banding on the inside of the corolla, fuscata (B) and star-ring (Sr), are apparently controlled by single dominant genes: a recessive lethal trait for albino seedlings occurred among some of the banded crosses. Flower color inheritance is complex. True breeding red-budded or white flowered seedlings have been secured, and true breeding pinks appear possible. Red-bud is recessive to white and wild type.

Genetic Studies in Sesame. II. Inheritance of Flower Colour and Number of Locules per Pod

SUMMARYA number of crosses were made to study the mode of inheritance of flower colour and number of locules per capsule of sesame. Red flower colour was dominant to white, and 4-loculed dominant over 8-loculed pods, each of the traits being controlled by a single gene pair segregating in a 3:1 F2 ratio.

Controlled Crossing and Inheritance of Flower Color in Vernonia anthelmintica

Controlled Crossing and Inheritance of Flower Color in Vernonia anthelmintica

THE EFFECT OF THE BASIC COLOR FACTOR c ON XANTHOPHYLL PIGMENTATION IN DIPLOID ALFALFA

The c locus in alfalfa was found to inhibit the formation of xanthophyll as well as anthocyanin pigments. Plants with one or more genes for xanthophyll, but homozygous recessive for the c locus, had cream colored flowers. Phenotypically, the flowers of these plants resembled those from plants homozygous recessive for the loci controlling xanthophyll and anthocyanin production but dominant for the C locus. However, seeds from cream colored plants in this experiment are light in color and the stems lack anthocyanin, in contrast with other cream colored plants which have dark seeds and anthocyanin in the stem. The pigments responsible for the cream color were not identified. Additional studies on flower color inheritance in alfalfa are needed since observed ratios did not always agree with expectations based on previous work.

Genetic Studies in Spanish Clover, Desmodium sandwicense E. Mey. I. Inheritance of Flower Color, Stem Color, and Leaflet Markings1

F2 populations of 47 crosses among 11 parental lines of Desmodium sandwicense bearing two major flower color classes, purple colored and near white flowers, were used to study the inheritance of flower color. The flower color was under monogenic control with a dominant colored gene, Ca, and a recessive white flowered gene, ca. Internode color ranging from dark red to green was under control of a different pair of genes, with a dominant gene for red, R, and a recessive gene for green stem, r. However. the two pairs of the genes were linked with an average recombination value of 34%. Silver markings on the midrib of the leaflet was controlled by a pair of genes with silver markings under a dominant gene, Ls, and a recessive non‐marking gene, Is.

Genetic Studies in Spanish Clover, Desmodium sandwicense E. Mey. II. Isolation and Identification of Anthocyanins in Flower Petals1

Anthocyanin pigments in petals of Spanish clover were isolated and identified in order to investigate their relationship to flower color inheritance. Only one kind of anthocyanin, malvidin 3,5‐diglucoside, was found in various color classes. Color variation resulted primarily from quantitative differences of the anthocyanin pigment concentration. Dark purple petals contained about nine times as much anthocyanin as near white forms. The relative concentration of the anthocyanin pigment between the colored and near white flowers was about 5:1. This difference in concentration appeared to be inherited under monogenic control. On two‐dimensional paper chromatograms, five major yellow spots of other flavonoid pigments were observed and they appeared to have secondary role, both qualitatively and quantitatively, in production of narrow color variation of flowers.

Inheritance of Flower Pigments in Diploid Alfalfa and Their Relationship to Flower Color Inheritance1

Inheritance of Flower Pigments in Diploid Alfalfa and Their Relationship to Flower Color Inheritance¹