Chromosomal fragment deletion in APRR2-repeated locus modulates the dark stem color in Cucurbita pepo.

Cp4.1LG15g03420 (CpDsc-1), which encodes a two-component response regulator-like protein (APRR2) in the nucleus, influences dark green stem formation in Cucurbita pepo by regulating the chlorophyll content. Stem color is an important agronomic trait in zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) for robust seeding and high yield.