Inheritance of some marker genes in Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.

A study on a series of genetic markers was run on five hybrids of foxtail millet, Setaria italica, and on one interspecific hybrid S. viridisxS. italica (S. viridis is the wild relative of S. italica). Seven enzymatic systems were investigated using starch gel electrophoresis (esterase, alcohol dehydrogenase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, acid phosphatase, malate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, cathodic peroxidase). This genetic analysis of the 6 F2 has allowed us to define 12 polymorphic loci: Est-1, -2 and -3, Adh-1, Got-1 and -2, Acph-1, Mdh-1 and -2, Pgd-1 and -2, and Pox-1. All of them behaved like dimers, except Est-1 and Est-2 which showed monomeric structures. Two other markers were examined: waxy endosperm, which appeared to be controlled by one locus, and anthocyanic pigmentation of the collar, for which at least two loci are responsible. Studies of linkage carried out on three F2 showed two linkage groups: Mdh-1, Pox-1, Wx, Est-3, and a locus for collar colour, and Est-2, and one or two other loci of colouring.