Summary
The somatic chromosome number was found to be 58 for plants with uniformly coloured flowers as well as for plants with variegated flowers. It is concluded that flower variegation is not caused by variation of somatic chromosome number, if any.
Yellow pigments occur in all cells of the flower, while violet pigmentation is restricted to the epiderm. Violet pigment is also limited to the epiderm of the hypocotyl and the lower epiderm of the cotyledon. In the epiderm of the flower in ordinary and glandular hairs and in the epiderm of the hypocotyl R can only manifest itself in the presence of Y, whereas in the lower epiderm of the cotyledon R can do so independent of Y.
Yellow pigments are composed of several betaxanthins, whereas the violet pigment probably consists of one betacyanin. Y conditions the production of a precursor(s) of betaxanthins while R converts part of this (these) precursor(s) into betacyanin. In the lower epiderm of the cotyledon the production of betaxanthins is hampered. Their precursors are present and can be changed into betacyanin.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Engels, J. M. M., W. N. M. van Kester, C. J. T. Spitters, L. Vosselman & A. C. Zeven, 1975. Investigation of the inheritance of flower variegation in Mirabilis jalapa L. 1. General introduction, and 2. Inheritance of colour in uniformly coloured flowers. Euphytica 24: 1–5.
Inamdar, J. A., 1968/69. Epidermal structure and ontogeny of stomata in some Nyctaginaceae. Flora Abt. B 158: 159–166.
Kruszewska, A., 1961. The heridity of specific traits in the hybrid Mirabilis jalapa x M. longiflora. Acta Soc. Bot. Polon. 30: 611–648.
Nakajima, G., 1958. The tetraploid plants of Mirabilis jalapa raised by colchicine method. Kromosomo 34–36: 1207–1210 (not seen).
Nilsson, T., 1970. Studies into the pigments in beetroot (Beta vulgaris L. ssp. vulgaris var. rubra L.). Lantbrukshögskolans Ann. 36: 179–219.
Piatelli, M. & L. Minale, 1964. Pigments of the Centrospermae. II. Distribution of betacyanins. Phytochemistry 3: 547–557.
Piatelli, M., L. Minale & R. A. Nicolaus, 1965. Pigments of Centrospermae V. Betaxanthins from Mirabilis jalapa L. Phytochemistry 4: 817–823.
Prakken, R., 1944. Contribution to the genetics and cytology of Mirabilis. Hereditas 30: 201–212.
Reznik, H., 1955. Die Pigmente der Centrospermen als systematisches Element. Z. Bot. 43: 499–530.
Showalter, H. M., 1934. Self flower color inheritance and mutation in M. jalapa L. Genetics 19: 568–580.
Showalter, H. M., 1935. A study of the chromosomes and degenerating microspore tissue in Mirabilis. Amer. J. Bot. 6: 594–609.
Spitters, C. J. T., L. Vosselman, J. M. M. Engels, W. N. M. van Kester & A. C. Zeven, 1975. Investigations of the inheritance of flower variegation in Mirabilis jalapa L. 6. Genetic system of flower variegation and speculation about its existence. Euphytica 24: in press.
Stroun, M., R. deRibeaupierre & R. Cortesi, 1960. Hétérogenéité des tissues à la suite d'une fécundation pluripaternelle chez la Belle de Nuit (Mirabilis jalapa L.). Be Schweiz. Botan. Gesellschaft 70: 50–61.
Tischler, G., 1928. Pflanzliche Chromosomen-Zahlen. Biol. Zentralblatt 48: 321–345.
Urban, R., 1958. Analyse der Färbungen der Beta-Rüben insbesondere der Futterrüben. Züchter 28: 275–283.
Vosselman, L., J. M. M. Engels, W. N. M. van Kester, C. J. T. Spitters & A. C. Zeven. 1975. Investigations of the inheritance of flower variegation in Mirabilis jalapa L. 7. The colour of the cotyledon and the hypocotyl. Euphytica 24: in press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Van Kester, W.N.M., Spitters, C.J.T., Vosselman, L. et al. Investigations of the inheritance of flower variegation in Mirabilis jalapa L. 3. Somatic chromosome number, 4. Distribution of the pigments and 5. Chromatographic studies. Euphytica 24, 6–12 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00147162
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00147162