Simple inheritance of key traits distinguishing maize and teosinte

Abstract

The segregation of key traits distinguishing maize and teosinte was analyzed in three F2 and three backcross populations derived from crosses of the modern maize inbred T232 with Zea mays ssp. parviglumis. These traits were (i) paired vs. single female spikelets; (ii) two-ranked vs. many-ranked ears; (iii) non-indurated vs. indurated glumes; (iv) inclination of the kernels toward the rachis, and (v) distichous vs. polystichous central staminate spike. All traits showed a simple mode of inheritance except for paired female spikes, which appeared to be controlled by two genes. The loci controlling these major changes were mapped with RFLP markers to four chromosomal regions. These results support the suggestion that maize became differentiated from teosinte with as few as five major gene changes.