CHEMICAL AND GENETIC ATTRIBUTES OF A MAIZE-SILK OLFACTORY TRAIT

A maize inbred extracted from an Iowa synthetic (''BSBB'') produces si lks with an odor that is easily detectable by most humans. The inbred did not demonstrate greater field resistance to ear-feeding by insects than sister Lines from the same synthetic. The odorous trait was dete rmined to be inherited as a recessive trait but could not be positivel y associated with a single gene when the odorous line was crossed with unrelated normal lines. Failure to produce a single-gene Mendelian ra tio for F2 and backcross generations was attributed to errors in class ification for a subjectively evaluated trait and the seeming incomplet e penetrance of the trait, possibly due to the presence of modifying g enes. Eleven compounds that differed from those obtained from nonodoro us sister lines were separated and identified by headspace trapping an d analysis by gas chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques. A five-member panel clearly identified the odorous compound as indole.