Genetics of Qualitative Traits in Domesticated Chia (Salvia hispanica L.)

Abstract

In Salvia hispanica L., several changes in qualitative characters, including seed coat color, stem pigmentation, and shattering, have evolved with cultivation and domestication. Three F(2) segregating generations from crosses between wild and domesticated parents were scored for three qualitative traits. A single recessive gene, designated scc, was found to govern the white seed characteristic. A single dominant gene, designated SSP, was found to control striated stem pigmentation. A complete dominance of open calyx over closed calyx was observed in F(1) generations and small numbers of plants with closed calyxes were observed in F(2) generations, not conforming to Mendelian ratios. For this non-shattering trait, a complementation test was conducted between two lines representative of geographically and morphologically divergent domesticated varieties. Complementary gene action was not observed in any F(1) plants, and all F(2) plants were homogeneous with respect to the trait, suggesting the same genetic control for non-shattering among domesticated varieties. An analysis of limited data for linkage of SSP and scc indicated that the two loci segregate independently.

Effects of Seed Color and Growing Locations on Fatty Acid Content and Composition of Two Chia (Salvia hispanica L.) Genotypes

“…Both genotypes have been classified previously as domesticated, based on the presence of human-selected traits: higher seed mass, closed calyces that prevent seed shattering and dispersal, and determinacy of flowering and seed set described by Cahill and Provance and HernandezGomez et al [6,8,9].…”

“…However, chia commercialized today is mainly black-spotted, followed by a low but increasing percentage of white seeds [1]. As was demonstrated by Cahill and Provance [6], single genes govern seed coat color and stem pigmentation; a single recessive gene, designated scc, was found to govern the white seed characteristic.…”

Chia (Salvia hispanica)

“…1). A single dominant gene, known as SSP, is responsible for controlling the striated stem pigmentation (Cahill & Provance, 2002).…”

Innovative Crop Productions for Healthy Food: The Case of Chia (Salvia hispanica L.)

“…Cahill also found that seed size was larger in cultivated chia than in wild germplasm and was a part of a gigantism syndrome in advanced domesticated chia lines, as well as allelopathy. In a study of inheritance of three qualitative traits in chia, Cahill and Provance (2002) found that genes for open calyces, charcoal seed color, and pigmented stems are dominant over genes for closed calyces, white seed color, and nonpigmented stems.…”

“…Making chia crosses is considerably easier when dominant phenotypic markers are available. Cahill and Provance (2002) used stem striation/pigmentation as a dominant marker. Breeding efforts at the University of Kentucky have used flower color as a dominant marker.…”