Conditional
expression of maize vegetative cloning gene
--Ting, YC, Tran, L
The effect of day length on the expression
of the maize vegetative cloning gene was reported in last year's Maize
Genetics Cooperation Newsletter. Since then, studies of this gene were
carried out further. In the later part of last March, 21 kernels of a self-fertilized
plant were employed for experiment. This plant had a simplex genotype of
Clg clg clg clg. The kernels were sown in pots in the greenhouse.
At that time, the daily illumination was a little more than 12 hours in
the Boston area. The kernels germinated readily. The plants were generally
healthy. Three months later, or in the middle of June, transplantation
of these plants into the field plot was made. All of the plants survived
well. However, in August and September, it was found that none of the plants
expressed the cloning gene by regenerating plantlets on the tassels, even
though three quarters of them were expected to do so. Therefore, it is
postulated that in order to have the cloning gene expressed, the plants
need to be grown under short day, particularly in the first three months
of growth. As stated above, the seeds for this study were sown in the second
half of March. Throughout their whole life period, the plants grew and
developed under long day conditions. More than 12 hours of daily illumination
might inhibit plantlet regeneration.
Please Note: Notes submitted to the Maize Genetics Cooperation Newsletter may be cited only with consent of the authors.
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