CYTOMIXIS IN MAIZE HAPLOIDS

Abstract

Cytomixis was extensively seen in maize haploids treated with colchicine. Genomic imbalance in the form of haploidy is probably responsible for the occurrence of cytomixis. Genotypic differences as well as colchicine treatment influenced the expression of this phenomenon. The highest number of cells in a single cluster ~ith interconnections was 48. Some cells with as high as 27 chromosomes and a few with no chromosome were also seen. There was a kind of relay pattern in the transfer of chromatin material. Chromatin transfer was more pronounced in meta-ana I. A 15-20 fold increase in pollen fertility was observed in the haploids with extensive cytomixis.