A Study of Viviparous Mutants of Maize

Author: Robertson, Donald Sage

Year: 1951

Degree: Dissertation (Ph.D.)

Advisor: Anderson, Ernest G.

Committee Member: Unknown, Unknown

Option: Biology

DOI: 10.7907/r5q0-4f92

Abstract

The meaning and extent of vivipary among the higher plants are considered. The nature of vivipary in maize as reported by earlier workers is compared with observations made in this study. The use of interchanges among chromosomes of the basic set (A-type chromosomes) and of interchanges between A and B-type chromosomes in genetic studies is outlined. The results of genetic studies with six viviparous mutants are reported. Experiments involving the use of embryo culture techniques to elucidate the cause of vivipary5 in maize are described. These experiments revealed that viviparous embryos are more tolerant of high carbon dioxide concentrations than normal embryos. Experiments to check the role of the cob in preventing premature germination, as well as experiments to determine if acetaldehyde plays a similar role, yielded negative results. The total auxin contents of viviparous and normal seeds are reported. No obvious differences between the two classes of seeds with regard to this growth substance was round. The significance of the genetic and embryo culture studies as it relates to vivipary in maize is considered.

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