Genetic study of a new color of the beet Beta vulgayis L.

A new genetic character of the beet Beta vulgaris L., named stem color, was described and studied genetically. This character was shown to be dominant and monogenically inherited. The first-year beet plants with the genotype Stc/_ have red leafstalks, weakly colored central rib, and colored storage root; however, the root itself is not colored. The second-year plants have a red-colored low third of the floral shoot. The plants with the genotype stc/stc are uncolored. The Stc gene was localized to the first linkage group at a distance of 17.5 +/- 2.1% crossing over units from the gene B (Bolting), which controls the annual-perennial habit of beet.