9. A distinctive defective endosperm character was found in an open-pollinated variety that had been selfed one generation. The defectiveness is different from other defective endosperm characters on which histological work has been reported in that it does not result from arrested development but from a breaking down of the endosperm tissue after it has formed. A cavity is formed in the upper central part of the endosperm by the disintegrating process, and the mature seeds are smaller and have a dull mottled milky appearance. The defective seeds also show a tendency to germinate while still on the ear. This character, disintegrated endosperm, (di), is controlled by a single recessive factor, and evidence indicates that it is located on chromosome 2 at approximately 25 crossover units from the B factor and 45 crossover units from lg.

L. M. Roberts