GENETIC-ANALYSIS OF THE GREEN COTYLEDON TRAIT IN SOUTHERNPEA [VIGNA-UNGUICULATA (L) WALP]

A series of greenhouse and field studies were conducted to determine t he inheritance of the green cotyledon trait exhibited by the recently released southernpea 'Bettergreen' and to elucidate the genetic relati onship between the green cotyledon trait and the green testa trait exh ibited by 'Freezegreen'. Evaluation of parental, F1, F2, and backcross populations of the crosses 'Bettergreen' x 'Carolina Cream' and 'Bett ergreen' x 'Kiawah' indicated that the green cotyledon trait is condit ioned hy a single recessive gene. Evaluation of parental and F2 popula tions of the cross 'Bettergreen' x 'Freezegreen' indicated that this g ene is neither allelic to nor linked with the gt gene that conditions the green testa trait in 'Freezegreen'. The color of seeds harvested f rom plants homozygous for both the green cotyledon and green testa gen es was superior and more uniform than the color of seeds harvested fro m either 'Bettergreen' or 'Freezegreen' plants. We propose that the ne wly discovered gene be designated green cotyledon and symbolized gc. S eeds containing embryos homozygous for the gc gene are easily identifi ed. The ability to select in the seed stage should greatly facilitate efforts to backcross. The gc gene into cream-, pinkeye-, and blackeye- type cultivars.