Inheritance of pseudo-self compatibility in self-incompatible garden and greenhouse chrysanthemums, Dendranthema grandiflora Tzvelv

Summary Self incompatibility (SI) can be used to alleviate costly hand emasculation and pollination in F₁ hybrid chrysanthemum seed production. SI, however, disrupts the progression of inbreedig (selfing or full-sib mating). Consequently, inbreds are selected for breakdown of the SI system or the presence of pseudo-self compatibility (PSC). PSC inbreds, recombinant inbreds, and noninbred cultivars were selfed and/or intercrossed to determine PSC expression across environments and generate 1–3 inbred generations (I₁–I₃). Percent PSC ranged from 0–68.8% for inbred parents, 0.2–99.7% for recombinant inbreds, and 0.6–25.7% for noninbred cultivars. There was no indication of end-of-season PSC. The majority of parents (78%) were classified as low PSC and this trend continued in the I₁ (70.1%), I₂ (65.6%), and I₃ (83.6%) generations; mid PSC was rarer (11.9–18.8%) and high PSC the least common (4.5–15.6%). PSC distributions were primarily continuous, rather than discrete, indicating quantitative inheritance. In several inbred families, 100% of the I₁ individuals were SI; this was not correlated with parental PSC level. Inbred families derived from selfing low and mid PSC parents were the most likely to reach extinction due to inbreeding depression. High PSC was not highly heritable, since I₁ progeny were predominantly SI or had low to mid PSC levels. Most 153-1 values for PSC:SI segregations (1:1, 1:3, 3:1) were not significant at the 5% level. Realized heritability (H _R ) estimates for PSC ranged from a low of 0.05% to 10.19%, although increased H _R values did not account for inbreeding depression or genetic mechanisms preventing selection for high PSC. The highest individual %PSC increased over the high parent with SI × low PSC or SI × mid PSC parents in all cases; progeny means did so only in SI × low PSC. Low × low crosses were split evenly between an increase and decrease in progeny or highest individual mean. Since all low × low crosses and low selfs produced 43–50% of the progeny with PSC levels higher than the parents, it appears that most low parents possess some unexpressed PSC genes. Mid PSC parents responded similarly to low PSC genotypes. An increase in PSC was found when crossing SI × PSC parents, illustrating a threshold effect. PSC × PSC crosses (high × low, low × low) produced SI, low, and mid PSC I₁ individuals but did not show a heterotic effect, since the PSC parents had already surpassed the PSC threshold. Selfing high PSC parents, however, suggested different genetic control. Progeny and highest individual means behaved the same; 83% decreased and 17% remained the same for PSC levels. The drop in PSC indicated non-additive gene action. Thus, the PSC threshold with additive gene action holds when selection for higher PSC levels is being done from low and mid PSC parents, but once high PSC levels are obtained, non-additive gene action prevails.Abbreviations self pollinated - H _R Realized Heritability - PSC Pseudo-Self Compatibility - SC Self Compatibility - SI Self Incompatibility     

Fertility improvement in tetraploid pearl millet

Summary Autotetraploid (2n=4x=28) pearl millet inbred lines, Tift 23BE and Tift 239DB, have been developed for use in crosses with other polyploid Pennisetum species. Each line set less than 1% and 3% selfed and open-pollinated seed, respectively. Seed germination was usually less than 17%. First generation (F₁) hybrids between the two inbreds set up to 61% seed while up to 40% of the seed from hybrids germinated.Seed weight per inflorescence for two planting dates averaged 0.32 g and 3.06 g for the two inbreds and the second generation F₂ progeny, respectively. One hundred seed weight was also significantly higher (0.78 g vs 0.48 g) in the F₂ progeny, probably due better endosperm development. Chromosome behavior and pollen stainability were similar in the inbred parents and hybrids. However, the hybrids shed more pollen than the inbred parents.Heterosis was evident in the F₁ hybrids and F₂ progeny which showed significant increases in plant height, leaf length, leaf width, and inflorescence length in addition to fertility improvement.     

Little heterosis for yield and yield components in hybrids of six cucumber inbreds

Heterosis and inbreeding depression for fruit yield has been reported for pickling cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.). However, cucumber inbreds often perform as well as hybrids, and there is little inbreeding depression. The objectives of this study were to reexamine the amount of heterosis and inbreeding depression for fruit yield and yield components in pickling cucumber, and to determine the relationship between yield components and yield for heterosis. Two pickling cucumber inbreds (M 12, M 20) and inbreds from four open-pollinated monoecious cultivars (‘Addis’, ‘Clinton’, ‘Wisconsin SMR 18’, ‘Tiny Dill’) were hybridized to form four F₁ hybrids (‘Addis’ × M 20, ‘Addis’ × ‘Wis. SMR 18’, ‘Clinton’ × M 12, M 20 × ‘Tiny Dill’). F₁ hybrids were then self-pollinated or backcrossed to generate F₂, BC_1A, and BC_1B progeny. Thirty plants of each generation within each hybrid family were grown in plots 3.1 m long with four replications in each of two seasons. Data were collected from once-over harvest for vegetative, reproductive, yield, and fruit quality traits. Heterosis and inbreeding depression for fruit yield and yield components were not observed in three of the hybrids. Only ‘Addis’ × ‘Wis. SMR 18’ exhibited high-parent heterosis and inbreeding depression for total, marketable, and early fruit weight. For ‘Addis’ × ‘Wis. SMR 18’, heterosis for fruit yield was associated with a decreased correlation between percentage of fruit set and fruit weight, an increased negative correlation between percentage of fruit set and both the number of branches per plant and the percentage of pistillate nodes, and an increased negative correlation between the number of nodes per branch and total fruit weight. Inbreeding depression was associated with a weakening of the strong negative correlations between percentage of fruit set and the number of branches per plant, and between the number of nodes per branch and total fruit weight. Those correlations were associated with high-parent heterosis and inbreeding depression only for one cross, and do not necessarily apply to future crosses in which heterosis may be observed for yield. We did not observe the heterosis or inbreeding depression for yield in cucumber in most of the crosses as was reported by Ghaderi & Lower (1979a; 1979c). This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic analysis of inbred lines and their crosses for resistance to head blight (Fusarium culmorum,F. graminearum) in winter rye

Summary For genetic analysis of head blight in winter rye (Secale cereale) caused by Fusarium culmorum, six homozygous inbred lines from the Petkus gene pool were crossed in all combinations to obtain 15 diallel F₁ crosses and the corresponding 15 F₂ crosses. These materials and 10 additional inbreds were artificially inoculated in a 2-year field experiment. The inbreds were also tested with F. graminearum in a separate sub-experiment.Single disease rating, average disease rating, and yield components (grain-weight per spike, 1000-grain weight, kernel number per spike) relative to the non-inoculated treatment were significantly affected by Fusarium head blight in all material groups. The relative grain weight per spike ranged from 26% to 88%. Significant genotypic and genotype x year interaction variances were found throughout. Heritabilities were highest for homogeneous inbreds (h²=0.6–0.8) and lowest for heterogeneous F₂ crosses (h²=0.4–0.6). Disease rating and relative grain-weight per spike were highly correlated for the inbreds and F₂ crosses (r0.7, P0.01), but lower for the F₁ crosses (r0.6, P0.05). Inter-annual correlation coefficients for disease ratings and relative grain-weight per spike ranged from r0.7 (inbreds) to r0.5 (F₂ crosses). The diallel analysis showed significant GCA effects only for relative 1000-grain weight in 1990, but significant SCA and SCAx year interaction variances for most traits. The resistances of 16 inbreds to F. culmorum and F. graminearum were tightly associated for all traits (r=0.96–0.97, P0.01).In conclusion, only slow progress can be expected from selecting for Fusarium head blight resistance in rye due to the limited amount of additive genetic variance and the great improtance of environmental factors.     

Introgression of Cajanus platycarpus genome into cultivated pigeonpea, C. cajan

Summary Cajanus platycarpus, an incompatible wild species from the tertiary gene pool of pigeonpea (C. cajan (L.) Millspaugh), has many desirable characteristics for the improvement of cultivated varieties. To necessitate such transfers, embryo rescue techniques were used to obtain F₁ hybrids. The F₁ hybrids were treated with colchicine to obtain tetraploid hybrids, that were selfed to obtain F₂, F₃ and F₄ progenies. All of the hybrids and subsequent progenies had an intermediate morphology between the two parents. Backcrossing of the tetraploid hybrids with cultivated pigeonpea was not possible given embryo abortion, with smaller aborted embryos than those obtained in the F₀ parental cross.As a route of introgression, diploid F₁ hybrids were backcrossed with cultivated pigeonpea and BC₁ progeny obtained by in vitro culture of aborting embryos. BC₂ plants were obtained by normal, mature seed germination. Although embryo rescue techniques had to be used to obtain F₁ and BC₁ plants, it was possible to produce BC₂ and subsequent generations through direct mature seed. Every backcross to cultivated pigeonpea increased pollen fertility and the formation of mature seeds.Special project assistant till December, 2003.     

Productivity of F hybrids of botanical varieties ofBrassica oleracea L.

Summary F₁ hybrids were obtained by making pair-crosses between nine botanical varieties ofBrassica oleracea. Although non-inbred parents were used, their yield was surpassed by all F₁ hybrids. The highest yields were shown by the crosses marrow-stem kale × sprouting broccoli and marrow-stem kale × cauliflower while the highest consumable yield (assessed by feeding plants to sheep) was that of F₁ hybrids marrow-stem kale × cauliflower and wild cabbage × cauliflower. A scheme for the production of F₁ hybrid seed is suggested, based upon an adaptation ofThompson's (1964) Triple-cross technique.     

Heterosis and inbreeding depression in forage rape (Brassica napus L.)

Summary Heterosis and inbreeding depression for total fresh and dry weights were studied over two seasons in 15 crosses of six cultivars of forage rape (Brassica napus L.). Some of the hybrids exhibited considerable heterosis over both mid-parent and better parent; followed by depression in the F₂. The cross Windal × Canard had 62% and 25% greater dry matter yield over the best cultivar used in this experiment in 1978 and 1979, respectively. Possibilities of the utilization of this hybrid superiority are discussed.     

Isozyme characterisation of Indian maize inbreds

The need for precise characterisation of crop materials has assumed importance in any established sui generis system for effective protection of plant varieties. Considering this requirement, 37 Indian maize inbreds were analysed for allozyme variations. Seven enzyme systems comprising 16 isozyme loci were analysed using starch gel electrophoresis. The allelic variants were designated using the well-characterised maize inbred Mo 17 as a standard. A total of 29 alleles were scored at the 16-isozyme loci studied. Malate dehydrogenase (Mdh), acid phosphatase (Acp), phosphoglucoisomerase (Pgi), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (Pad) and isocitrate dehydrogenase (Idh) were the most informative isozyme systems for characterisation of the maize inbreds. These enzyme systems were also useful in detecting and quantifying the extent of `off-types' in each seed lot analysed. The percent off-types (inclusive of the admixtures and segregates) were as high as 47 to 50 percent in seed lots of a few of the inbreds. The results of the study were also useful in studying genetic diversity among the inbreds. An UPGMA based cluster analysis of the allozyme data revealed presence of only moderate genetic diversity among the Indian maize inbreds. This is of significance in crop yield stability as these inbreds have been used extensively in the production of F₁ hybrids occupying large area under maize cultivation in India. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Combining ability of seed vigor and seed yield in soybean

Studies have shown no consensus in relationships between seed yield and vigor in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]. The lack of information regarding the inheritance of seed vigor prompted this study to determine the types of gene action and combining ability estimates for seed vigor and its related traits. Five high and six low seed vigor soybean genotypes were crossed in a diallel, and selfed to produce 55 F₂ progenies, which were examined, along with the parents, for seed vigor, yield, and seed weight. Significant genotype and environment effects were found for seed vigor and yield. General combining ability (GCA) effects for seed vigor and seed yield were significant (p≤ 0.01) and larger than specific combining ability (SCA) effects. Significant GCA and SCA effects were found for seed weight, indicating that both additive and non additive genetic effects were involved in conditioning seed weight. The ratios of mean square, 2GCA / (2GCA+SCA), were 0.96 for seed vigor and 0.93 for seed yield. These ratios indicated that additive gene effects were more important than non additive gene effects for seed vigor and seed yield in these crosses. Mean seed vigor(83.8%), as determined by accelerated aging germination, and mean seed yield (2,155 kg ha^-1)in high vigor × high vigor crosses were higher than the high vigor × low vigor and low vigor × low vigor crosses. Mean percent accelerated aging germination rates in F₂ populations from diallel crosses were significantly related to mid-parent seed vigor(r² = 0.52^**) and midparent seed size (r² = 0.31^**). These results indicated that levels of seed vigor can be improved through breeding, while maintaining high yields because of the predominance of GCA effects in both seed vigor and seed yield. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Inter-and intraracial hybridization and selection for seed yield in early generations of common bean,Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Summary Five parents from each of four race groups of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) were hybridized to produce five crosses within each group. Also, five crosses were made for each of the six possible combinations among four groups. Parents, F₁ and F₂, and parents, F₂ and F₃ were evaluated for seed yield in 1990 and 1991, respecitively, at two locations in Colombia.Yield of parents belonging to Middle American races and crosses among them was higher than that of races of Andean origin. Positive correlations were found among the mid-parent value, F₁, F₂ and F₃. Also, the mid-parent value predicted the mean seed yield of all possible lines that could be derived from the F-generation in 42 out of 47 crosses. Four crosses, all between common bean races of Andean and Middle American origin, indicated a possible loss of favorable epistatic parental alleles. On average, mean yield of interracial F₁ hybrids was higher than that of intraracial ones.Positive heteroris (26.4%–123.8%) over the mid-parent in 31 crosses, and F₁s yielding higher (23.7%–91.8%) than the high parent in 20 crosses and yielding higher (22.1%–53.2%) than the highest control among all parents (MAM 13) in 12 crosses, were found. Heritability, estimated by the parent-offspring regression, ranged from 0.42± 0.07 to 0.49±0.04. Expected and realized gains from selection (at 20% selection pressure) ranged from 10.3% to 21.0% over the mean of F₁ hybrids and F₂ and F₃ population bulks.     

Interspecific hybridization between rice bean (Vigna umbellata) and its wild relative (V. minima): Fertility-sterility relationships

Summary The pre-and post-fertilization barriers in the interspecific crosses between Vigna umbellata and V. minima were investigated. In the reciprocal crosses (V. minima as the parent) the entry of pollen tubes into the ovary was delayed by about 4 h, and no seed set was observed. However, no pre-fertilization barriers were encountered in crosses involving V. minima as the parent and V. umbellata as the parent (normal cross). The delay/absence of divisions in the endosperm and the failure of embryo to divide were the post-fertilization barriers responsible for somatoplastic sterility in normal crosses which yielded a few hybrid seeds. The hybrid seeds showed poor germinability. The F₁ hybrids were intermediate between the parents in most morphological characters, and are completely sterile for pollen. Backcrossing of F₁ hybrid with both the parents did not restore fertility in the progenies. V. minima is considered as the tertiary gene pool of the rice bean.     

Genetic variation in maize (Zea mays L.) for germination and emergence at 10°C

Summary Full-sib, paternal half-sib and S1 families were derived from a population of maize, Pool 5, with a wide germplasm base. These families were used to study genetic variation for germination percentage, emergence percentage and time to emergence at 10°C.Genotypic variances were large for all characters, and the best families from the population were markedly superior to hybrids used as checks. Maternal effects appeared to be of overwhelming importance for germination percentage, but variances due to males were significant for emergence percentage and time to emergence. Inbreeding depression at the seedling level was also important for these two emergence characters. Germination and emergence characters were not correlated with seed weight.We concluded that Pool 5 should be a valuable source of genes for improving germination and emergence of maize at low temperatures.     

Genotypic diversity enhances recovery of hybrids and fertile backcrosses of Phaseolus vulgaris L. × P. acutifolius A. Gray

Summary Homozygous and heterozygous Phaseolus vulgaris and P. acutifolius parental genotypes were hybridized to determine if genotypic diversity would aid gene transfer between these species. Certain P. vulgaris female parents resulting from diverse intraspecific crosses increased the frequency of species hybrids obtained. From a total of 19 self-sterile hybrids, 20 backcross-1 (BC₁) lines (P. vulgaris recurrent parent) were produced from 4 partially female-fertile hybrids, each of which had a heterozygous P. vulgaris female parent. Heterozygous P. acutifolius male parents did not influence the frequency at which interspecific hybrids could be produced but apparently improved female-fertility. Fertility of the F₁BC₁ generation was highly variable. The frequency of fertile individuals increased in each subsequent backcross generation (F₁BC₂ and F₁BC₃).Purdue University Agricultural Experiment Station Publication 9946.     

Effect of the inbreeding depression in progeny fitness of runner bean (Phaseolus coccineus L.) and it is implications for breeding

Moderate levels of selfing despite high inbreeding depression (ID) make runner bean an excellent model for mixed-mating reproductive biology studies in legumes. This work assesses the extent of the ID variation and consistency at different plant growth stages through selfing generations in seven runner bean populations. Field-collected populations after previous isolated multiplication were hand-pollinated in an isolated greenhouse during five generations to produce progeny. Generations were compared for inbreeding effects (δ) on seed germination, survival to flower, and seed weight and yield. The outcrossing rates of the founder populations and the genetic variation and Wright’s ID at the population and generation level were estimated by using 35 polymorphic microsatellite loci. Neutral microsatellite loci were analyzed through generations and populations using different outlier tests to identify loci directly associated with adaptation to inbreeding. Our study revealed patterns of genetic diversity (H _e  = 0.36) and outcrossing rates (ranged from 24 to 44 %) that are consistent with a mixed-mating system. Selfing-pollination procedure significantly affected germination and survival rates, yield, and to a lesser extent seed weight. Three loci had significant hits to genes related to embryonic development when performing BLAST searches to Phytozome database. Results showed a general inconsistency in δ across plant growth stages and populations, suggesting that different deleterious loci are acting at different stages. Inbreeding tended to purge individuals of deleterious recessive alleles to reduce ID. Variation among individuals within populations may lead to the development of inbreeding lineages with lower levels of ID. Several lines that have been self-pollinated for many generations became homozygous at almost all gene loci and produced a uniform population of true breeding progeny and acceptable performance.     

The influence of modifier genes on the intensity and stability of self-incompatibility in cabbage

Summary Four inbred cabbage lines have been derived from a single parental plant through several generations of selfing. Two inbreds have been found homozygous for an S ₁ allele while the other two are each homozygous for S ₂. Each inbred is self-incompatible, cross-incompatible with the inbred carrying the same S allele, and fully cross-compatible with inbreds carrying the other S allele. The S ₁ and S ₂ pairs of inbreds were each found to consist of one inbred with very high self-incompatibility (mean seed set of 0.15–0.25 seeds per pod) and one inbred with less intense self-incompatibility (mean seed set of 1.25–1.70 seeds per pod). For the S ₁ pair, flower to flower and plant to plant variation in seed set per pod was much larger for the less incompatible inbred that for the highly incompatible inbred. Further, incompatibility expression of the less incompatible inbred was influenced by temperature variation while that of the highly incompatible inbred was stable under different temperature regimes. The F₁ between the two inbreds of high and low incompatibility with the common S ₁ allele behaved like the less incompatible parent. F₂ plants showed intermediate intensities of selfincompatibility as well as variation for both lesser and greater intensities than those exhibited by the parents. The variations of self-compatibility and the sensitivity to environmental differences are considered to be conditioned by genes which modify incompatibility expression of the S alleles.     

Cytology and pollen grain fertility in creeping bentgrass interspecific and intergeneric hybrids

Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera L. or A. palustris Huds.) is a highly outcrossing allotetraploid species. It can form hybrids with a number of other Agrostis species and Polypogon genus. However, cytology and pollen grain fertility of the creeping bentgrass interspecific and intergeneric hybrids are not well known. In this research, chromosome pairing behaviors during meiosis I in F₁ and pollen viability of F₁ hybrids, as well as seed set rate and seed germination rate of backcrosses were studied in hybrids between creeping bentgrass, and other bentgrass species and three species of Polypogon genus. Abnormal chromosome pairing, laggard chromosomes, and premature segregation in F₁ hybrids were found. Pollen viability ranged from 1.6 to 48.5% amongst F₁ hybrids, significantly lower than that of the parents (85.5–94.1%). Some hybrids produced pollens of different sizes within the same anther. Seed set following backcrosses using F₁ hybrids as the male parent and creeping bentgrass as the recurrent parent was significantly lower than their parents. The study of chromosome paring behaviors and progeny fecundity are important in utilizing the alien genes to improve bio-stress and abio-stress resistance, and in assessing the potential transgene risks of creeping bentgrass.     

A comparison of inbred lines and their F1 hybrids in forage rape (Brassica napus L.)

Summary The relative yields of spaced plants of inbred lines derived from different seed stock of forage rape were compared with F₁ hybrids among these lines. The hybrids between inbred lines derived from the same parental seed stock showed a mean superiority of 8.8% and the hybrids between inbreds from different stocks showed 19.6% superiority over the inbred lines in early vegetative growth. This hybrid superiority is discussed in relation to the development of superior varieties.     

Agronomic Traits and Chromosome Behavior of Autotetraploid Sorghums

The agronomic performance and chromosome behavior of autotetraploid sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] inbreds and F₁ hybrids were investigated. Autotetraploids have possible commercial use and can serve as bridging species in crosses to natural tetraploids. Autotetraploid sorghum inbreds (2n = 40) had higher kernel weight, seed yield, and protein and amino acid content than their diploid counterparts. Stalk height and panicle length of the autotet-raploids, however, were not different from those of the diploids, and seed set of autotetraploids was lower in early generations. Seed set of autotetraploid Ft hybrids was related to and higher than that of the autotetraploid parental inbred lines. Frequency of quadrivalents, anaphase I and II laggards, and quartet micronuclei varied among autotetraploids. Frequency of quadrivalents did not appear to be an important factor in seed set nor was it significantly associated with frequency of laggards. Aneuploids (2n = 39, 41) had higher percentages of laggards and micronuclei than did euploids (2n = 40). Methods of pollination significantly affected seed set in autotetraploid S4 lines. Differences in seed set among autotetraploid lines indicated the feasibility of selecting for lines with high seed set and utilizing those lines for hybrid production.     

Influence of recurrent selection for flowering on flowering and yields in kura clover

Summary These investigations were conducted to determine the effectiveness of first- and second-season selection programs for increasing forage and seed yield in kura clover (Trifolium ambiguum Bieb.).Rhizo kura clover, the base population, was grown as spaced plants in two programs for six generations of selection for flowering in the seedling and second seasons. Remnant seed for each generation of selection was used to establish spaced plant and broadcast evaluation trials.The first-season selection program was effective in increasing flowering not only in the first season, but for two subsequent seasons. The second-season selection for flowering had little or no effect. However, vigor, forage and seed yields were not increased by either program, and the first-season program progressively reduced vigor and forage yields as generations of selection increased. The cause of this is unknown but may be associated with inbreeding depression or detrimental physiological effects of first-season flowering. Reselection to eliminate possible inbreeding effects is being conducted to further examine the possibility of increasing seedling and aftermath vigor in kura clover.     

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

Summary A strong epidemiological association is known to exist between the consumption of grass pea and lathyrism. A neurotoxin, -N-Oxalyl-L-, -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.