Inheritance of Flower Color in Periwinkle: Orange-Red Corolla and White Eye

Abstract

The commonly found flower colors in periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus)--pink, white, red-eyed, and pale pink center--are reported to be governed by the epistatic interaction between four genes--A, R, W, and I. The mode of inheritance of an uncommon flower color, orange-red corolla and white eye, was studied by crossing an accession possessing this corolla color with a white flowered variety (Nirmal). The phenotype of the F(1) plants and segregation data of F(2) and backcross generations suggested the involvement of two more interacting and independently inherited genes, one (proposed symbol E) determining the presence or absence of red eye and another (proposed symbol O) determining orange-red corolla.

Genetics of novel corolla colours in periwinkle

“…Both these accessions, MJ and OR, were procured from a local dealer in horticultural plants. The flower colour genotypes of variety, Nirmal and accession OR were earlier found to be EErrWWoo and eeRRwwOO, respectively (Sreevalli et al, 2002). Parental plants were raised in a glass house from seeds produced by artificial self-pollination.…”

“…Apart from these corolla colours, an uncommon corolla colour, violet corolla with purple eye, has also been reported (Simmonds, 1960). Recently, we reported the mode of inheritance of a new flower colour, orange-red corolla with white eye (Sreevalli et al, 2002). These corolla colours pink, red-eyed, pale pink, white, violet and orange-red, have been found to be determined by epistatic interaction between six genes, A, R, W, B, I and O (Flory, 1944;Simmonds, 1960;Milo et al, 1985;Kulkarni et al, 1999, Sreevalli et al, 2002.…”

“…Recently, we reported the mode of inheritance of a new flower colour, orange-red corolla with white eye (Sreevalli et al, 2002). These corolla colours pink, red-eyed, pale pink, white, violet and orange-red, have been found to be determined by epistatic interaction between six genes, A, R, W, B, I and O (Flory, 1944;Simmonds, 1960;Milo et al, 1985;Kulkarni et al, 1999, Sreevalli et al, 2002. Another gene E responsible for the presence or absence of pigmentation in the eye region i.e., in the center of the corolla, was reported recently (Sreevalli et al, 2002).…”

“…These corolla colours pink, red-eyed, pale pink, white, violet and orange-red, have been found to be determined by epistatic interaction between six genes, A, R, W, B, I and O (Flory, 1944;Simmonds, 1960;Milo et al, 1985;Kulkarni et al, 1999, Sreevalli et al, 2002. Another gene E responsible for the presence or absence of pigmentation in the eye region i.e., in the center of the corolla, was reported recently (Sreevalli et al, 2002). Genes A and R were reported to be basic complementary genes without both of which flowers would have white corolla (Simmonds, 1960).…”

Agricultural, Pharmaceutical, and Therapeutic Interior of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don

“…The surface of seed is minutely forming a reticulum (reticulate). The roots pull out to 70 cm depth with the diameter of 0.5-6.0 cm (Mishra and Kumar 2000;Sreevalli et al 2002;Plaizier 1981;Chaudhary et al 2011). Janaki Ammal and Bezbaruah (1963) stated that the tetraploid plants develop more robustly with larger flowers.…”