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Effect of Cytoplasmic Male Sterility on Accumulation and Translocation of 14 C‐labelled Assimilates in Corn 1
Author(s) -
Criswell J. G.,
Hume D. J.,
Tanner J. W.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci1974.0011183x001400020005x
Subject(s) - tassel , biology , sterility , zea mays , chromosomal translocation , photosynthesis , cytoplasmic male sterility , botany , agronomy , pollen , competition (biology) , poaceae , biochemistry , gene , ecology
A male‐sterile corn ( Zea mays L.) hybrid and its fertile counterpart were grown under field conditions for 3 years. In each year one upper leaf of plants of both types was allowed to assimilate 14 CO 2 in photosynthesis at both tassel emergence and silking. The plants were harvested after either 1 or 8 days, and distribution patterns of 14 C were measured. Less upper leaf assimilates were distributed to male‐sterile tassels than to fertile tassels. More of the labelled assimilates accumulated in developing ears and husks of male‐sterile plants. Increased tolerance in male‐sterile corn lines to stresses caused by high plant populations and other environmental factors appears to occur at least partly because of reduced intraplant competition for assimilates by tassels during early ear development.