A Gene in <i>Zea mays</i> for Failure of Cytokinesis During Meiosis

Abstract

A recessive partially sterile type of maize is reported to which has been given the narre variable sterile and the genetic symbol va. Variable sterile plants are characterized by lack of cytokinesis during the meiotic divisions of some of the microsporocytes. Accompanying the failure of cytoplasmic division, aberrant chromosome behavior often is observed. Presumably as a result of these aberrations in chromosome behavior, most if not all of the resulting 2n and 4n cells degenerate.Variable sterile plants produce, for the most part at least, diploid progeny indicating again that only the, haploid gametes are funetional.The va gene is located in the Bn-gl1-v5-ra chromosomes roughly 10 units to the left of gl1.