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INFLORESCENCE DEVELOPMENT IN TWO ANNUAL TEOSINTES: ZEA MAYS SUBSP. MEXICANA AND Z. MAYS SUBSP. PARVIGLUMIS.

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Whole-mount Clearing and Staining of Arabidopsis Flower Organs and Siliques

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Inflorescence development in a new teosinte: Zea nicaraguensis (Poaceae).

Alan R Orr¹, Marshall D Sundberg

¹Department of Biology, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614 USA;

American Journal of Botany

|June 10, 2011

Summary

Scanning electron microscopy revealed that inflorescence development in Zea nicaraguensis is similar to other Zea taxa, with a novel polystichy trait potentially linked to maize domestication.

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Area of Science:

Plant biology
Developmental biology
Evolutionary botany

Background:

Teosinte, Zea nicaraguensis, is a newly discovered species from Nicaragua.
Understanding inflorescence development in teosinte provides insights into maize evolution.
Zea nicaraguensis uniquely thrives in water-logged soils.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the inflorescence development of Zea nicaraguensis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
To compare inflorescence development in Zea nicaraguensis with other Zea taxa and Tripsacum.
To explore the evolutionary implications of inflorescence development and polystichy in Zea.

Main Methods:

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed to examine inflorescence development.
Detailed observation of branch and spikelet primordia initiation and development.
Comparative analysis of developmental patterns across different Zea species and related genera.

Main Results:

Inflorescence development in Zea nicaraguensis followed patterns similar to other Zea taxa.
Pedicellate spikelet development was arrested in the female inflorescence, consistent with Zea.
A novel, uncharacteristic presence of inflorescence polystichy was observed in Zea nicaraguensis.

Conclusions:

Femininity and masculinity in Zea share common inflorescence development mechanisms, supporting a shared sex determination pathway in Andropogoneae.
The observed polystichy in Zea nicaraguensis suggests a potential mechanism for the domestication of polystichy in maize.
This study highlights the evolutionary significance of phenotypic variations in teosinte for understanding crop origins.