THE USE OF MATERNAL HAPLOIDS FOR GENETIC-ANALYSIS OF THE NUMBER OF KERNEL ROWS PER EAR IN MAIZE

The genetic analysis of the character ''number of kernel rows per ear' ' was carried out on homozygous maize lines 092 and A619. The plant ma terial used consisted of diploid and maternal haploid plants. The scal e of measurement revealed non-allelic interactions in diploids. This p osed difficulties in carrying out the genetic analysis at the diploid level. The distribution of maternal haploids derived from parental lin es and from their F-1 hybrids showed lines 092 and A619 to be differen tiated by three genes with additive effects. Line A619 carries two gen es (A and B) with large contribution to the character expression, and one gene with a smaller effect. For the second parent, line 092, as fe w as one gene increasing the number of kernel rows per ear (C) was ide ntified.