Abstract

Wine-colored peanut seeds originate as mutants and appear later as segregates in farmer's fields. Off-color seeds are unwanted by shellers and manufacturers. The inheritance of wine testa is complex and among the least understood of the basic testa colors. The objective of this study was to determine the inheritance of wine testa color. True breeding genotypes for tan and wine testa color were crossed and progenies analyzed for testa color. A new genetic model is presented to explain the inheritance of the wine-colored seed trait. A tetragenic model, based on a 207:49 (tan to wine) F₂ segregation pattern, best described the data and assumes two sets of paired genes representing two genomes. At least one pair of homozygous recessive alleles in each set is necessary for expression of the wine-colored trait. Using parents in peanut breeding programs that are homozygous dominant at all four loci will help reduce the rate at which wine-colored seeds appear in farmer's fields.

Available as PDF only - Use Download Feature

Keywords: Arachis hypogaea, seed color

How to Cite:

Pittman, R. & Kirby, J. & Banks, D., (2004) “An Allotetraploid Model for the Inheritance of Wine Testa Color in Peanut¹”, Peanut Science 31(1), p.51-54. doi: https://doi.org/10.3146/pnut.31.1.0011

Author Notes

¹ All programs and services of the U.S. Dept. of Agric. are offered on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, marital status, or handicap.