| Early flowering genes carried by Lactuca sativa cultivar Saffier were studied by crossing Saffier with three lines carrying none, one or two other known early flowering genes, Ef1 and Ef2. This study reports the generation of resulting F2 populations, the analysis of the F2 segregation, and a characterization of Saffier photoperiod responses and early flowering behavior. Saffier is shown to be capable of flowering in forty days. Saffier crossed with cultivars both carrying and not carrying known early flowering genes generates progeny with days to first flowering decreased by as much as 8% or 10 flowering days in reference to the earliest flowering parent. Saffier may also carry a regulatory region capable of exerting a photoperiod inhibition effect on flowering similar to the previously characterized Tt gene. |
