Interaction of Genes Controlling Some Morphological Features of Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Abstract

The interaction of 11 genes of flax which control the color of the hypocotyl, flowers and seeds, as well as deformation of petals, was evaluated by genetic analysis. All these genes have pleiotropic effects on several parts of a flower and sometimes on hypocotyl and seeds. Four genes affect the shape and intensity of flower color: s1 (complete stop of anthocyanin synthesis, corolla deformation), sfbs1 (inhibition of anthocyanin synthesis in flower, slightly deformed corolla), pbc1 and pbc3 (very light blue flower with different degrees of corolla deformation). Six genes cause a dilution of the blue color of the flower: wf1 (white), f ^e (very light blue, spotted seeds), dlb1, dlb3, dlb4 (different intensity of light blue color), ora1 (lighter than blue, orange anthers, yellow speckles on red-brown seeds), and pf (pink flower and seeds with yellow hue). The basic scheme of interaction between genes controlling color and shape of flax flowers can be represented as follows: s1 > sfbs1 > wf1 > pf1 > f ^e > pbc1 > pbc3 > dlb1 > dlb3 > ora1. However, the sequence of functioning of the s1, wf1, pf1, f ^e, and dlb3 genes changes during the formation of different features. For example, for flower color, they will be arranged as follows: s1 > wf1 ≥ pf1 ≥ f ^e ≥ dlb3; for flower deformation: pf1 = wf1 > dlb3 > s1 > f ^e; for seed color: pf1 > s1 > f ^e > wf1 = dlb3.