INHERITANCE OF ROOT CHARACTERS IN TURNIP (BRASSICA RAPA L.)

Abstract

Inheritance of root colour in turnip (Brassiea rapa L.) was studied in nine crosses involving five parents. Purple root colour was dominant over pink, partially purple and white root colour, and was under the control of two genes P and C. These two genes in double dominant state produce purple roots. The genotype of purple parent was thus tentatively designated as PPCC. The pink and partially purple root colours were dominant over white and they were under the control of single dominant gene P and C, respectively. Genotype PPcc produces pink root and ppCC partially purple roots. White roots are produced in double recessive homozygotes: ppec. Root shape was studied in two crosses involving round and flat round rooted parents. The Fl generation showed dominance of round shape over flat round as a monogenic trait. The gene symbol R is proposed for this character.