Anatomical Location and Inheritance of Variegated Red Seed Coat Color in Hexaploid Wheat

Inherited somatic variegations in seed coat in a number of species, including maize ( Zea mays L.), have been the subject of considerable study and have led to an expanded understanding of gene expression and control; however, there are no reports of such studies in hexaploid wheat ( Triticum aestivum L. emend. Thell.). The anatomical location and inheritance of variegated red seed coat color in a hexaploid wheat line, 10859, was investigated. Line 10859 was crossed to ‘Sundor’ (white kernel), ‘Selkirk’ (three‐gene red kernel) and a purple pericarp line, 42502 (complementary two‐gene purple kernel). Color variegation or sectoring was located in the seed coat tissue of the pericarp by microscopic dissection. Kernel color and seed coat color variegation were scored on kernels from F 2 plants from the above crosses. The data indicated that recessive alleles at the variegation locus regulate the expression of red seed coat pigment, which is controlled by dominant alleles at one of three R loci. The identity of this R locus is unknown. Data suggests that the variegation and R loci are not linked. This system, although rare in wheat, provides some interesting and potentially valuable avenues for cell and genetic research.