INHERITANCE AND LINKAGE RELATIONSHIP OF TWO RADIATION-INDUCED SEEDLING MUTANTS OF CUCUMBER

Abstract

A radiation-induced mutation of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) which affects plant pubescence is controlled by a single recessive gene. Mutant seedlings have glabrous hynocotyls, and mature plants have glabrous internodes and leaf petioles. The laminae, especially of the first true leaf, the node areas and the perianths are slightly pubescent (glabrate). This new gene is designated glb, glabrate. There was no evidence of linkage between this gene and glabrous (gl), non-bitter cotyledon (bi), light sensitive (ls), yellow cotyledon (yc) or crinkled-leaf (cr).A sister line of glb also segregated for a lethal mutation. Mutant seedlings had pale green, slightly smaller cotyledons, and died 6 to 7 days after emergence. The mutation was controlled by a single recessive gene, designated pl, pale lethal. The gene was not linked with either glabrate (gib) or non-bitter cotyledon (bi).