The supposed pleiotropic effect of the p1 locus --Mihailov, ME, Chernov, AA In F2 plants of two maize hybrids (Chernovitskaya 21 x 2-9m and Ku123 x 2-9m) the color of dry tassels was recorded a month after flowering. The 124 F2 plants of Chernovitskaya 21 x 2-9m were classified: 85 - dark tassel, 35 - light tassel, 4 - doubtful. The 88 F2 plants of Ku123 x 2-9m: 58 - dark tassel, 26 - light tassel, 4 - doubtful.

It was revealed after harvest that the dry tassel color correlates with the color of cob. Dark tassel corresponds, as a rule, to red cob, and light tassel to white cob (Table 1-2).

As is seen in the tables, there are recombinant plants. Two versions are possible:

1) The dry tassel color is caused by a locus closely linked (rf=3-4%) with the p1 locus controlling cob coloration;

2) There is a pleiotropic effect of the p1 locus and recombinants appear because of modification or classification error.

Table 1. Segregation for color of cob and dry tassel in F2 (Chernovitskaya 21 x 2-9m).
 
Colour of dry tassel
Red cob
White cob
dark
82
3 
doubtful
3
1
light
1
34 

Table 2. Segregation for colour of cob and dry tassel in F2 (Ku123 x 2-9m).
 
Colour of dry tassel
Red cob
White cob
dark
57
1
doubtful
2
2
light
2
24

 

Please Note: Notes submitted to the Maize Genetics Cooperation Newsletter may be cited only with consent of the authors.

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