In vitro pollination fertilization of maize: influence of explant factors on kernel development

✍ Scribed by R. K. Higgins; J. F. Petolino

• Publisher: Springer
• Year: 1988
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 867 KB
• Volume: 12
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0167-6857
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00043104

✦ Synopsis

The influence of donor plant genotype, ear maturity, explant size, and the ratio of ovule-to-cob tissue on kernel development from in vitro pollinated ovules was examined. All genotypes evaluated in this study were capable of in vitro pollination/fertilization, however, significant differences were observed for the responses measured. Genotype means for complete kernel formation ranged from 1.5% to 25.4% with B73 exhibiting the highest response. Averaged over all genotypes, ear maturity effects were not significant, however, the genotype x ear maturity mean square was significant for swelling percentage. Exptant size had a profound effect on in vitro kernel development. Averaged over all genotypes and ear maturities, 30-ovule explants resulted in more than twice as many ovules classified as complete kernels when compared to 10-ovule explants. Ovule-to-cob tissue ratio was also found to have highly significant effects on all three variables measured. An ovule-to-cob tissue ratio of 4:24 resulted in the highest percentages of swelling, embryos with incomplete embryos, and complete kernels.