Paternally biased cpDNA inheritance in Turnera ulmifolia (Turneraceae)

We end-labeled Hin fI restriction digests of a PCR-amplified plastid encoded gene, the large subunit of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase, to investigate patterns of cpDNA inheritance in Turnera ulmifolia. A total of 70 progeny from crosses among plants taken from ten populations revealed varying patterns of inheritance. A majority of progeny inherited the paternal cpDNA (64%), while 19% exhibited maternal and 17% biparental inheritance. Eight variegated progeny showed biparental inheritance and were analyzed in greater detail. We extracted and analyzed the cpDNA content of light- vs. dark- green leaf sectors from these plants. The results showed that vegetative segregation of cpDNA had occurred for seven of the eight plants.