Inheritance of the maroon color in Brasilia-derived carrots (Daucus carota L.)

Abstract

Maroon carrots (Daucus carota L.), which were developed from the orange cultivar Brasilia, were studied to determine the inheritance of the genes controlling the expression of anthocyanin in the root. Segregation ratios of root anthocyanin expression were observed in the F₁, F₂, and backcross generations resulting from crossing anthocyanin expressing lines with anthocyaninless lines. The recessive gene anr 1 is proposed, being responsible for repression of the dominant P 1 anthocyanin gene. The possibility of a second gene involved in regulation of anthocyanin expression is considered. Additive gene action of the proposed anr 1 and the possible second gene is discussed, with evidence provided using generation means analysis. A reason for the occasional observation of helical anthocyanin expression is also discussed.