RHIZOME EXPRESSION IN A SELECTED CROSS IN THE SORGHUM GENUS

The segregating F-2 population from the hybrid between grain sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor), chromosome number doubled, and Johnsongrass (S. hale pense) was examined for expression of rhizomes. A rhizome to non-rhizo me segregation ratio of 3:1 was observed suggesting a single dominant gene regulation in the rhizome phenotype of S. bicolor and S. halepens e. Approximately 72% of the F-2 population overwintered and regrew fro m the rhizomes the following spring. When comparing these data with da ta in the literature, the rhizome regulating gene in the Sorghum genus may be an incomplete dominant gene requiring a few genes to be expres sed additively that result in different degrees of rhizome development in the Sorghum genus.