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Inheritance of Hilar Layer Coloring in White Corn ( Zea mays L.) 1
Author(s) -
Zuber M. S.,
Wolf M. J.,
Hilderbrand E. S.,
Cull Irene
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/cropsci1974.0011183x001400020008x
Subject(s) - endosperm , zea mays , biology , inheritance (genetic algorithm) , white (mutation) , layer (electronics) , botany , agronomy , genetics , gene , chemistry , organic chemistry
The inheritance of hilar layer coloring (also known as black layer) in maize ( Zea mays L.) was studied using 4 white endosperm inbred line parents, their 6 possible F 1 and F 2 generation single crosses, and 12 first generation backcrosses and their reciprocals. The results showed that the inheritance of hilar layer coloring is complex in this set of material, but it should be possible to develop corn strains with less hilar layer coloring. However, because hilar coloring may be due to condensed phenolic compounds that may inhibit the passage of certain pathogenic fungi into the kernel, reducing the level of pigmentation might lower resistance to kernel‐rotting fungi. Further studies are needed to determine if hilar layer pigmentation inhibits kernel‐rotting fungi.