A monogenic factor responsible for lemon coloration of aleurone (often with greenish shade) has been detected. This coloration is masked with yellow endosperm, but it is seen with the naked eye in white endosperm due to y1 (genotype y1 y1 y1). The colour intensity depends on gene dose, a recessive state causes colourless aleurone. The lemon shade is easily observed at harvest, but disappears during drying on the ear side turned to the sun.

This factor (named Lm1) was found in the F3 progeny of Ku123 x 2-9m hybrid. A dominant allele originates from Ku123 line, a recessive one is from 2-9m. Mendelian inheritance points out the monogenic inheritance.

Sowing an F3 family heterogeneous for this trait with further self-pollinating resulted in three types of ear:

1) aleurone of all grains is lemon (8 ears);

2) aleurone of some grains is lemon and aleurone of the others is colourless (19 ears);

3) aleurone of all grains is colourless (6 ears).

From types 1 and 3 Lm1 and lm1 lines with white endosperm were selected. From these lines four F2 ears were produced, with lemon/white grain ratio 269:89, 239:82, 183:67, 157:62. The classification was satisfactory, only 2-5 grains per ear were doubtful.

The Lm1-factor remains unlocated. Linkage with the loci of chromosomes 2 (ws3, lg1, gl2), 6 (y1), 9 (sh1, wx1), or 10 (R1) was not detected.
 

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