Electrical A. C. resistance and capacitance of Zea Mays L

Summary Some resistive and capacitive properties of growing maize plants were investigated. Rolled-leaf, stem, and root tissue acted like cylindrical conductors and parallel-plate capacitors. The age of plants (up to 6 weeks) had little effect on the resistivity and dielectric properties of the maize tissues.     

Gametophyte Genetics in Zea Mays L.: Dominance of a Restoration-of-Fertility Allele (Rf3) in Diploid Pollen

In Zea mays L. plants carrying the S-type of sterility-inducing cytoplasm, male fertility is determined by a gametophytic, nuclear restoration-of-fertility gene. Haploid pollen carrying the fertility-restoring allele (historically designated Rf3) is starch-filled and functional, whereas pollen carrying the nonrestoring allele (historically designated rf3) is shrunken and nonfunctional. Because restoration of fertility occurs in haploid tissue, the dominance relationship of restoring and nonrestoring alleles is unknown. We have tested the dominance relationship of the restoring and nonrestoring alleles at the rf3 locus in diploid pollen. The meiotic mutant elongate was used to generate tetraploid plants carrying both Rf3 and rf3 alleles in the S cytoplasm. These plants shed predominantly starch-filled pollen, consistent with dominance of the restoring allele. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms linked to the rf3 locus demonstrated cotransmission of rf3 and Rf3 alleles through heterozygous diploid pollen, providing conclusive genetic evidence that the restoring allele is the dominant or functional form of this restoration-of-fertility gene. We suggest that other S-cytoplasm restorers result from loss-of-function mutations and propose analysis of unreduced gametes as a test of this model.     

Staining and Observing Pollen Tubes in the Style by Means of Fluorescence

Pollen tubes in the styles of the tomato and of other flowering plants can be observed by using the following technic. Styles are fixed in formalin-acetic-80% alcohol (1:1:8) and cleared and softened in a strong (8 N) sodium hydroxide solution. Staining is accomplished in a 0.1% solution of water-soluble aniline blue dye dissolved in 0.1 N, K₃PO₄. The styles are smeared or are observed whole under a conventional or dissecting microscope by direct illumination with ultraviolet light of a wavelength of about 356 m°. Observations are made in a darkened room. Under these conditions callose fluoresces bright yellow-green and contrasts strongly with the bluish or grayish fluorescence of the stylar tissue. The pollen tubes are outlined by a callose lining and irregularly spaced callose plugs.     

Ultraviolet irradiation of maize (Zea Mays L.) pollen grains

Summary Mature pollen grains from two single cross (F₁) hybrids, Wf9 X H55 and K64 X K55, were exposed to eleven levels (0 to 6.80 erg/cm² × 10⁵ at 0.68 intervals) of ultraviolet irradiation and then were used to pollinate their source. Height and kernel characteristics (kernel weight, weight/100 kernels, kernel number) of individual F₂ plants produced by the normal F₂ kernels obtained from these pollinations were measured within each level and population. Highly significant exposure X population interactions were found for all characters, indicating that the effect of irradiation depended on the genetic source of the pollen grains. Increasing exposure increased or did not change the mean of Wf9 X H55 and decreased the mean in K64 X K55 for all characters. For coefficient of variation values, the interaction, exposure X population, was not significant for any character measured, indicating that irradiation-induced variability was unrelated to pollen source. The results indicate that pollen source strongly influenced the effect of ultraviolet irradiation on plant means but had no influence on variability.     

Ultraviolet irradiation of maize (Zea Mays L.) pollen grains

Summary Mature pollen grains from two single cross hybrids, Wf9 × H55 and K64 × K55, were exposed to eleven levels (0 to 6.80 erg/cm² × 10⁵ at 0.68 intervals) of ultraviolet irradiation and then were used to pollinate their genetic source. The number and weight of the normal and shrunken (partially aborted) kernels on each ear were tabulated. In general, the number of normal kernels decreased and the number and percentage of shrunken kernels increased with increasing exposure. However, significant exposure X hybrid interactions were present indicating that the amount of change depended on the hybrid. No consistent relationship between exposure and either normal or shrunken kernel weight was apparent, but pollen source hybrid was a contributing factor. The embryo weight and coleoptile length after germination were also determined for the normal kernels. Changes in these characters by irradiation were also strongly influenced by the hybrid. These results indicate that the direction and magnitude of the changes in kernel development produced by ultraviolet are modified considerably by the genetic source of the pollen grains. Presumably, genetic variation for ultraviolet response is present and selection would be successful.     

Spontaneous Germinal Activation of Quiescent Uq Transposable Elements in Zea Mays L

The spontaneous germinal activation of quiescent Uq transposable elements is reported. Thirty-nine spotted exceptions were observed at a rate of about 2 x 10(-4) from 687 otherwise colorless ears produced from the cross of a-ruq/a-ruq (colorless or occasionally sectored) X an a-ruq tester (colorless). All exceptions had spotting patterns distinct from the pattern of our original standard Uq (Uq1)-a-ruq spotting. From these spotted exceptions five new Uq elements (Uq2, Uq3, Uq4, Uq5 and Uq6) have been isolated. Genetic evidence for the Uq nature of the five germinal isolates is presented. First, each of the five spotted exceptions was homozygous for the a-ruq reporter allele. Second, four new Uq isolates (Uq2, Uq3, Uq4 and Uq5), after being reconstituted into a alpha degrees sh2/alpha degrees sh2 (no Uq) line, could transactivate the standard a-ruq allele and continue to produce their distinct spotting phenotypes. Third, these five new Uqs are also capable of transactivating the c-ruq65 and c-ruq67 alleles. However, the transactivation of c-ruq is generally weaker than that of a-ruq.     

The Mutator-Related Cy Transposable Element of Zea Mays L. Behaves as a near-Mendelian Factor

The bz-rcy allele arose in a single gamete of the TEL (transposable-element laden) population, when the rcy receptor element inserted into the Bronze1 locus. This newly arisen receptor allele conditions a stable bronze kernel phenotype in the absence of the independently segregating regulatory element, Cy. In the presence of Cy, bz-rcy conditions fully colored spots on a bronze background. The spots represent clonal sectors arising from mutations of bz-rcy to Bz'. Although Cy exhibits genetic interactions with the Mutator system it differs from Mu-homologous elements in its near-Mendelian behavior which is in contrast to the non-Mendelian inheritance of Mutator and Mu-homologous elements. Evidence is presented which suggests that the timing and mode of Cy transposition differ from those of Mu1.     

The Germination of Vinca rosea L. Pollen Grains and the Growth of the Pollen Tubes in vitro

The effect of medium concentration, pollen grain concentration, pH of the media, light and temperature on the germination of Vin ca rosea pollen grains, and the growth of their pollen tubes in vitro have been studied. The pollen grains germinate best at a sucrose concentration between 14.2% and 30%; when the pollen grain concentration exceeds 800 per 0.0234 ml; at near neutral pH (6.5); in darkness and at a temperature close to 30°. Moreover buffering ions affect the growth of the pollen tubes. Pollen grains remain viable in a wide range of temperatures, and the wall of the pollen grain is capable of withstanding severe osmotic imbalance. Low temperature induces spherical swellings at the tips of the pollen tubes, followed by accumulation of a hyaline plug.     

Comparative Recombination Distances among Zea Mays L. Inbreds, Wide Crosses and Interspecific Hybrids

Recombination distances and linkage heterogeneity were compared among a wide range of maize inbreds, wide crosses and maize X teosinte hybrids. Twelve maize and four teosinte races were backcrossed to stocks fixed for rare marker alleles on chromosome arm 1L. Recombination fraction estimates were higher for exotic germplasm than for either U.S. maize or maize X teosinte crosses. Serrano, Tuxpeno and a US-adapted inbred line of tropical origin, NC300, exhibited enhanced recombination. Three of the four maize X teosinte hybrids had little or no recombination between two loci. The observed recombination ``shrinkage' resulted from an apparent inversion in the vicinity of the Amp1 locus. Average recombination distances among common marker loci for composite maps were highly variable, even when map construction was restricted to maize germplasm of similar origins.     

Analysis of Nondisjunction Induced by the R-X1 Deficiency during Microsporogenesis in Zea Mays L

The r-X1 deficiency in maize induces nondisjunction at the second mitotic division during embryo sac formation. However, it was not known if this deficiency also induces nondisjunction during the microspore divisions. Microsporogenesis in plants lacking or containing this deficiency was compared using two approaches. First, chromosome numbers were determined in generative nuclei. Many (8.3%) of the generative nuclei in r-X1-containing plants were aneuploid; however, those from control plants were all haploid. Thus, this deficiency induces nondisjunction during the first microspore division. Second, nucleoli were analyzed in microspores. The only nucleolar organizing region in maize is on chromosome 6. If chromosome 6 underwent nondisjunction during the first microspore division, one nucleus in binucleate microspores would contain no nucleolus and the other would contain two nucleoli (or one nucleolus if the nucleoli fused). Only one (0.03%) microspore of this type was observed in control plants while 1.12% were found in r-X1-containing plants. Thus, the r-X1 deficiency induces nondisjunction of chromosome 6 during the first microspore division. However, both of the sperm nuclei in trinucleate microspores contained one nucleolus in r-X1-containing and control plants; thus, this deficiency does not induce nondisjunction of chromosome 6 (and presumably other chromosomes) during the second microspore division.     

Nuclear DNA amounts in the egg and zygote of maize (Zea Mays L.)

The nuclear DNA content of isolated eggs and zygotes of maize was estimated using 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining and microspectrofluorometry. The data indicate that egg nuclei contain the 1C level of DNA (basic haploid amount) at the time of karyogamy, and that, by inference, the sperm nuclei are also at 1C. Fertilization occurred in most ovules by 24–28 h post-pollination (hpp), and DNA synthesis was well underway by 27–31 hpp. By 30–34 hpp, 80% of the zygotes were at the 3C DNA level or above, and many were undergoing mitosis. This study provides information that is pertinent to experiments on the microinjection of exogenous DNA into isolated zygotes of maize, and it will serve as a comparative base for future determinations of the DNA content of zygotes produced and cultured in vitro.Abbreviations DAPI 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole - hpp hours post-pollination We would like to thank R. Blanc, D. Aldon, and C. Digonnet for their expert technical assistance and advice during the course of this study. Partial support for this study by the Organized Research Fund, Northern Arizona University, is gratefully acknowledged. The bulk of this study was carried out while H.L.M. was visiting research professor at the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon.     

The Comportment of the Vegetative Nucleus and Generative Cell in the Pollen and Pollen Tubes of Helleborus foetidus L

It has been reported that in species of Plumbaginaceae, Chenopodiaceae,Cruciferae and Amaryllidaceae a ‘male germ unit’is formed in which the two male gametes remain inter-connected,with one of the pair linked intimately to the vegetative nucleus.In two species the unit has been shown to remain intact in thepollen tube, and some accounts imply that it is polarized inits movement, the vegetative nucleus leading in the tube. Evidence given in this paper indicates that such a unit is unlikelyto be present in Helleborus foetidus L. (Ranunculaceae). Applicationof an optical sectioning technique has shown that at no timeis there a persistent linkage between the generative cell andthe vegetative nucleus in unhydrated, hydrated and germinatingpollen, nor is one present in the early pollen tube. Furthermore,no inter-connections between the two entities were seen in protoplastsfrom living, hydrated and incipiently germinating grains isolatedmechanically in an osmotically balancing medium. Following germination,the vegetative nucleus leaves the grain in advance of the generativecell in most instances, but in the samples examined the generativecell led in about 30 per cent of the tubes. Assembling a polarisedmale germ unit in these circumstances would require (a) theformation of an inter-connection between the vegetative nucleusand the generative cell or one of the gametes derived from itduring passage through the tube, and (b) where the generativecell initially leads in the tube, an exchange in relative positions.It is considered improbable that these conditions could consistentlybe met. Mature, incipiently germinating pollen of H. foetidus releasesa fibrillar component when extruded into suitable media. Websor clusters of fibrils are commonly seen to be associated withboth the vegetative nucleus and the generative cell. The possibilitythat the fibrils are composed of aggregates of microfilamentsis considered. Helleborus foetidus L., pollen germination, generative cell, vegetative nucleus, male germ unit     

Estimating C inputs retained as soil organic matter from corn (Zea Mays L.)

In agroecosystems, the annual C inputs to soil are a major factor controlling soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics. However, the ability to predict soil C balance for agroecosystems is limited because of difficulties in estimating C inputs and in particular from the below-ground part. The objective of this paper was to estimate the proportion of corn residue retained as SOM. For that purpose, the results of a ¹³C long-term (15 yr) field study conducted on continuous silage corn and two silage corn rotations along with data from the existing literature were analyzed. The total amount of corn-derived C (0–30 cm) was about 2.5 to 3.0 times higher for the continuous corn treatment (445 g m^-2), compared to the two rotational treatments (175 and 133 g m^-2 for the corn-barley-barley-wheat and corn-underseeded barley hay-hay rotations, respectively). Assuming that the C inputs to the soil from silage-corn was mainly roots and would have been similar across treatments on an annual basis, the total amount of corn-derived C for the two rotational treatments was approximately proportional to the number of years the silage-corn was present in the rotation (4 yr). The results from the current study indicate that about 17% of root-derived C is retained as SOM. This value is higher than those reported in the literature for long-term studies on shoot-derived C (range of 7.7 to 20%, average of 12.2%), which is in agreement with previous studies showing that more C is retained as SOM from roots than from shoots. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Electrotropism of Nicotiana Pollen Tubes

Electrotropism of tobacco pollen tubes towards the anode wasanalysed. The threshold and saturation values for the electrotropismwere less than 50 mV mm^–1 and 200 mV mm^–1, respectively.The tropic response gradually increased with increasing durationto exposure, but no further increase in the tropic responsewas observed when exposure of the electric field was terminated.Pollen tubes growing towards the cathode had a tendency to burstin a strong electric field. These results suggest that an externallyapplied electric field acts as a motive force for electrotropismbut not as a trigger and that endogenous currents play a rolein tip growth of pollen tubes. Possible mechanisms responsiblefor the electrotropism of pollen tubes are discussed. (Received July 9, 1993; Accepted September 18, 1993)