The Journal of Heredity 1996:87(3):247-248
© 1996 The American Genetic Association 87:247-248
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Unstable White Flower Color in Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
From the Genetic Enhancement Division and the Genetic Resource Division, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) ICRISAT Asia Center, Patancheru, 502324, AP, India
Corresponding Editor: Prem P. Jauhar
Abstract
This article summarizes our observations on an unstable white flower color observed in early-generation populations of a cross between two yellow-flowered, true-breeding parents (ICGV 86694 and NC Ac 2821) in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). The segregation behavior of white- and chimeric-flowered plants in F2 to F5 generations of the cross did not agree with the conclusions of previous researchers that the white flower color in groundnut was controlled by one to two recessive genes. No cytological abnormality was observed in plants either with white or chimeric flowers. The probable source for this inconsistent segregation for flower color appears to be the presence of an unstable genetic element along with the alleles producing white flower phenotype. The reversion of white flower-color allele to its normal stable formyellowoccurs at a low frequency, probably due to the excision of this element at the germinal level. When the excision occurs at the somatic level, there is a partial reversion of white-flower color allele giving rise to yellow, white, or chimeric flowers on the same plant. Our efforts in two subsequent generations to stabilize white-flowered plants did not succeed. Further studies are required to get at the source of this unstable activity of alleles responsible for white flower color phenotype.