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The frequencies of recombinant subclasses clearly show that character sphaerococcum is not governed by a single gene but at least three closely linked independent genes are involved in controlling this character. These genes are located very close to the centromere on the long arm of chromosome 3D.

On the basis of recombination frequencies in relation to the centromere the placement of these genes is shown below -



All these genes are located in a gene order of Red grain colour (3.30) - Spherical grain (very closed to red grain) - Short spike (5.44) - and Short peduncle (10.58) within a map unit of 21.17 from the centromere.

Another significant finding observed in the present study was the occurrence of plants with white seeds in the F2 population of these two red seeded varieties. Plants with white seeds are not expected if the gene (R1) which controls the red seed colour in these varieties is at the same locus. Occurrence of plants with white seeds but with low frequency (3.3%) clearly shows that the genes which control red colour of seeds in vars. Chinese Spring and T. sphaerococcum are not situated at the same locus.

Acknowledgment

The author is grateful to Dr. B. C. JOSHI of Biotechnology Centre, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India, for critical reading of the manuscript.

Literature Cited

ELLERTON, S. 1939. The origin and geographical distribution of Triticum sphaerococcum Perc. and its cytogenetical behaviour in crosses with T. culgare Vill. J. Genet 38: 307-324.

KOBA, T. and K. TSUNEWAKI. 1978. Mapping of the s gene and Ch2 gene on chromosome 3D of common wheat. Wheat Inf. Serv. 45-46: 18-20.

PRABHAKARA RAO, M. V. 1971. An attempt to map the sphaerococcum gene on chromosome 3D of wheat. EWAC Newsletter. 3: 64.

PRABHAKARA, RAO, M. V. 1973. Mapping the gene R1 for red seed colour on chromosome 3D of wheat. Wheat Inf. Serv. 36: 9.

SEARS, E. R. 1947. The sphaerococcum gene in wheat. Genetics 32: 102-103.

SEARS, E. R. 1954. The aneuploids of common wheat. Mo. Agr. Exp. Sta. Res. Bull. 572: 1-58.

SINGH, R. 1946. Triticum sphaerococcum Perc. (Indian Dwarf Wheat). Indian J. Genet. 6: 34-47

SWAMlNATHAN, M. S., D. JAGATHESAN and V. L. CHOPRA. 1963. Induced sphaerococcoid mutations in Triticum aestivum and their phylogenetic and breeding significance. Curr. Sci. 32: 530-540.


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