Possible successful pollination with white pollen

In a sheltered block of c2/c2, whp/whp plants shedding white pollen, pollinations were made with verified white pollen. A "patch" entrance was cut in the husks of the ear shoot (previously shoot-bagged). A liberal amount of white pollen was blown onto the exposed silks, aiming to deposit pollen as close as possible to the junction of the silk and ovary. Then the "patch" was closed and the earshoot rebagged.

Results from 12 pollinations: four colorless kernels set, of which 3 were insect-eaten at maturity, but one survives intact. Genotype testing and scoring of pollen shed will be done in the winter greenhouse.

Stephen A. Modena

Please Note: Notes submitted to the Maize Genetics Cooperation Newsletter may be cited only with consent of the authors.

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