ACTION OF THE TUNICATE LOCUS ON MAIZE FLORAL DEVELOPMENT

The co-dominant Tunicate (Tu) mutation in maize causes nonreproductive structures in both the male and female inflorescences to be enlarged. This mutation also affects sex determination, permitting the developm ent of pistils in the normally staminate tassel. In order to character ize the role of the normal tu gene product, we have analysed genetic i nteraction between Tu and other mutations that perturb specific stages of floral development. Synergistic interactions observed suggested th at the tu product functions in at least three stages of floral develop ment-determination of spikelet primordia, differentiation of non-repro ductive organs and pistil abortion in the tassel. (C) 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.