Rick, C. M.
Three mutants were discovered recently in fields of standard varieties. Considering that these varieties are well established and have been in use for several years and that no other variations have been found in the mutant lines, it appears very likely that each represents a new mutation and that the mutant stocks might be useful as isogenic lines. The appropriate test crosses proved each to be allelic with a previously known mutant.
ah LA352. This mutant was picked out as an anthocyanin-deficient seedling in a pot of commercial-stock Pearson by Dr. J. C. Lingle. In being completely free of purple coloration at all observed stages, it is identical phenotypically with a, ah, and aw. Test crosses with a and aw yielded normal progeny, while the cross with ah gave a total of 6 greenstem seedlings.
ps 2-303. This mutant, discovered as an unfruitful variant in a field of Pearson, shows all the earmarks of ps. The original plant and those of several cultures tend to set a few, moderately seedy fruits. All tested progenies from such fruits have bred true. Five plants grown of the F1 ps Pearson x ps original all had the typical ps flower type.
r LA353. A yellow-fruited plant of Earlypak was brought to our attention by Dr. P. G. Smith. Flesh of the ripe fruit showed the light yellow color, occasionally flushed with pink, typical of r. Plants were otherwise typically Earlypak. From the cross between this mutant and r seven plants have been grown, each with the pale corolla color characteristic of r.