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Inheritance of Partial Hull in Safflower¹

The pericarp (hull) of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) seed is high in fiber, whereas the embryo portion of the seed is high in oil and protein. Reducing the hull portion of the seed would increase product value. A new hull character in safflower has been identified as partial hull. A field nursery grown partial-hull plant produces 94% partially dark seeds and 6% white seeds with small dark blotches, which indicates a reduced hull portion. Seeds from partial-hull plants produced in a greenhouse or under selfing bags exhibit more whitehull expression. The objectives of the present study were: i) to quantify the level of expression of the dark areas of the pericarp of partial hull when compared to other hull types, and ii) to determine the inheritance of partial hull when crossed with white hull (thick normal hull), reduced hull, striped hull, and thin hull. Segregation of partial hull was determined by observing the frequency of plants that produced seeds with predominantly dark or blotched hulls vs. plants that produced seeds with white hulls. Analysis of F₁, F₂, and F₃ progenies showed that partial hull is recessive to white hull and reduced hull, but is inherited independently of striped hull and thin hull. The pericarp thickness of parents used in crosses with partial hull can influence level of expression of partial hull in filial generations. It is suggested that the recessive gene controlling partial-hull pericarp expression be designated par. The partial-hull gene may be useful in safflower breeding programs as a means to increase both oil and protein percentage of the seed. The presence of the partial-hull gene can be visually identified in filial generations.

Key Words: Carthamus tinctoriusk L. • Pericarp • Normal hull • Reduced hull • Striped hull • Thin hull

² Research agronomist, USDA-ARS, present address: U.S. Cotton Res. Stn., 17053 Shafter Ave., Shafter, CA 93263.

Received for publication June 3, 1985.