Isoflavone mutations in subterranean clover. I. Their production, characteristics and inheritance

Abstract

Four isoflavone mutations of considerable biological and practical potential are described.

Genetic evidence accumulated to date suggests the mutations to be simple recessives. A single gene can control the release of bound isoflavones. Single genes apparently also control the methylation of daidzein and genistein to formononetin and biochanin A respectively, and the development of isoflavones in normal quantities. Crosses between lines carrying the individual mutations lead to modified dihybrid Mendelian ratios.