CRISTAL MUTATIONS IN ARABIDOPSIS CONFER A GENETICALLY HERITABLE, RECESSIVE, HYPERHYDRIC PHENOTYPE

A new class of recessive Arabidopsis mutants, designated cristal (cii) has been isolated which display several abnormalities reminiscent of hyperhydric symptoms. These characteristics include translucent and wr inkled cotyledons and leaves, abnormal chloroplast organization, a red uced amount of chlorophyll, a reduced dry weight and a decreased numbe r of palisade cells in the leaves accompanied by an increase of interc ellular space, and therefore give a vitreous appearance to the aerial part. The phenotype is also dependent on the culture medium water pote ntial. The cril gene was mapped on chromosome 4 close to the DHS1 mark er.