Four distinct testa-colours, viz, purple, red, rose and white have been reported in groundnut. The present day concept of the genotypes for these colours is based on the assumptions of Patel et al. (1936) and Higgins (1940). According to them, a factor P determines purple colour, while R determines red. Two sets of duplicate factors F1, F2 and D1, D2 condition the testa colour. The rose colour is also determined by FI and F2, and in the absence of either set of the testa colour conditioners, the testa is white or colourless. It was on these assumptions that the presence of a rose factor was found necessary by them for the development or expression of red and purple colour. During the course of study of testa-colour inheritance in Arachis hypogaea, a few cases came to light where the mode of inheritance of rose and red colours did not agree with the findings of the previous workers and the same have been described in this paper.
© Madras Agricultural Journal. Website design – All rights reserved.