Summary
A genetic model for flower variegation in Mirabilis jalapa is given. Two loci effecting pigment production are assumed. The dominant alleles of each of these two loci may be repressed and thus they do not express themselves. In the presence of a dominant variegation gene a repressed allele can become active at some phase of the ontogeny of the plant. Repression and later release of repression results in a pattern of variegation of a dominant colour phenotype on the background of a recessive colour phenotype. Some parallels are drawn between the gene controlling system in M. jalapa and that in maize. In conclusion a practical application for plant breeding is given.
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Spitters, C.J.T., Vosselman, L., Engels, M.M. et al. Investigations of the inheritance of flower variegation in Mirabilis jalapa L. 6. genetic system of flower variegation and speculation about its existence. Euphytica 24, 323–332 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00028197
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00028197