In order to develop a new F₁ cultivar of Japanese radish (Raphanus sativus L.), genetic studies and breeding a parental line were attempted to accumulate pelargonidin as a major anthocyanidin entirely within its underground part. The parental line “Inuidani” was established after 17-year breeding and selection of a variety of materials derived from cross-breeding major Japanese cultivars/strains and a Chinese cultivar “Ten-an Koshin” as a genetic source of pelargonidin accumulation. “Inuidani” showed good qualities as a fresh vegetable and accumulated a brilliant red pigment entirely within the underground part. Chemical analysis of this red pigment showed that pelargonidin was the major anthocyanidin. A trial cross between “Inuidani” and Strain A, which accumulated pelargonidin entirely within the underground part but less than “Inuidani”, showed the potential for an F₁ cultivar with a larger underground part and with a higher red pigment accumulation within the underground part than its parental lines. Segregation of F₁ and F₂ between “Inuidani” and other cultivars without red pigment expression in the underground part indicated that the surface color of the underground part was not controlled by only two loci and suggested that pigment accumulation entirely within the underground part might be controlled by three loci.

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