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Influence of Single Recessive Endosperm Mutants on Yield and Dry Matter Distribution in Maize (Zea mays L.)¹

Seed stocks of recessive endosperm mutants su₁, fl₂ and o₂ were each crossed with several inbred lines of maize. F₁ plants were self-pollinated to produce ears segregating for normal and mutant kernels. Careful examination of ears from F₂ plants allowed harvest of samples from homozygous normal, heterozygous, and homozygous mutant plants. The heterozygotes were superior in grain yield to either homozygote, and the homozygous normal yielded more than the mutant in su₁ and o₂ crosses. Husk dry weights were lowest in normal homozygotes of su₁ and o₂, and in homozygous recessive of fl₁. Leaf and stem dry weights showed inconsistent patterns. Plants from normal kernels had a lower ear, husk, and leaf moisture than those of the homozygous recessive. The harvest index (ear wt./total plant wt.) was greater in homozygous normal and heterozygous plants of su₁ and o₂ maize. The heterozygotes studied appeared to have a more totally efficient system for the conversion of light into dry matter.

Key Words: Corn • Efficiency • Moisture content

² Professor, and former graduate assistant (now Maize Specialist, Centro Internacional de Agricultura Tropical, Apartado Aereo 67-13, Cali, Colombia). The financial assistance of Agway, Inc. is greatly appreciated.

Received for publication October 27, 1970.