5. The relation of photoperiod to tassel proliferation in a short-photoperiod line of sweet corn has been investigated. An extended number of short‑photoperiodic cycles seems to be essential to normal floral development. This sweet corn line contains the indeteminate growth gene (id) reported by W. R. Singleton (1946).

A study has been made of the morphology of the teratalogical structures resulting from proliferation. The tassels bear propagules which may be asexually propagated and which will then grow to maturity. The propagules result from a rachilla elongation between the two paleas in the spikelets. The glumes were found to be leaf blades, the lemmas represent leaf sheaths and they will develop into liguled leaves. The palea is a homologue of the prophyllm since vegetative shoots come from paleas in upper lemma‑leaves on the extended rachilla. The ear and its shank represent a reduced axillary branch since the ear shoots elongate into axillary branches. Three lodicules were found in the proliferated corn florets.

W. C. Galinat