Kerr, E.A.

Aerial roots.    

Two genes for aerial roots have been described (Philouze TGC 21:33—34 and Kerr TGC 32) as well as several modifications of rooting habit

(Zobel, TGC21:42). Phatak, Jaworski and Liptay (HortScience 16:181—182) found a differential response between cultivars in the effect of ethephon on stem rooting. On several occasions in genetic studies we have noticed differences in stem rooting between segregants. However, these were usually difficult to classify. One F₂ population of the cross aer x rvt gave 83 + +, 15 rvt +, 16 + aerial roots, 26 rvt aerial roots, i.e. 23% crossovers in coupling phase. The aerial rooting characteristic was not aer as aer and rvt were in repulsion phase. It is not proposed to assign a symbol to this gene at this time but seed is available if anyone wants to play with it.