Genetic control of a columnar habitus with erect leaves in a sunflower

The main task of the research was to study the inheritance of a columnar (compact) habitus with erect leaves and identification of the gene that controls this trait. In the Fi generation of crosses between lines with normal leaves position VK876, VA93 and a line of a columnar habitus with erect leaves KG120, the trait of a columnar habitus was inherited dominantly. The segregation ratio in F2 generation was 3 (columnar habitus) : i (regular habitus) that indicates the monogenic inheritance of the trait. Phenotype of a line KG120 was the same as phenotype of a short petiole erect line SL2399 that controlling by a single dominant gene Er. The identification of these genes was performed. In the Fi generation the erect phenotype was observed. All 332 plants in the F2 generation had erectile phenotype without the appearance of normal recombinant plants. Genetic identification showed that the trait of a compact habitus with erect leaves in the line KG120 is controlled by a dominant gene Er. Therefore the identity of the gene Er that determines the dominant columnar habitus with erect leaves in the well-known line SL2399 and in a new line KGi20 was proved. Thus, the genetic collection of sunflower in VNIIMK consists of three lines with the dominant gene Er - KG49, KG120 and SL2399.