Maize ( Zea mays L.): In Vitro Production of Haploids

摘要: Maize or corn (Zea mays L.) is a member of the Gramineae family placed in tribe Maydeae with diploid chromosome number 2n = 2× 20. The origin has been studied extensively and remains point controversy. There seems to be general agreement that it originated western Hemisphere (Hallauer Miranda 1981). Columbus, when he discovered New World, found major food staple American Indian, much form we know today. Excavations caves arid regions Mexico revealed fragments diminutive cobs which may have grown for more than 5000 years ago (Harpstead 1975). was domesticated by these prehistoric plant breeders where cannot survive reproduce its present without aid man (Brandolini 1970). While maize evolved as crop Americas, now around world (Table 1), having today become third most important grain, following closely after wheat rice (Horsfall