Haplo-diploid gene expression and pollen selection for tolerance to acetochlor in maize

The objectives of this research were to determine if genes controlling the reaction to the herbicide acetochlor in maize (Zea mays L.) are active during both the haploid and the diploid phases of the life cycle and if pollen selection can be utilized for improving sporophytic resistance. Pollen of eight inbred lines, previously characterized through sporophytic analysis for the level of tolerance to acetochlor, showed a differential reaction to the herbicide forin vitro tube length; moreover, such pollen reactions proved to be significantly correlated (r =0.786(*),df=6) with those of the sporophytes producing the pollen. Pollen analysis of two inbred lines (i.e. Mo17, tolerant, and B79, susceptible) and their single cross showed that thein vitro pollen-tube length reaction of the hybrid was intermediate between those of two parents. An experiment on pollen selection was then performed by growing tassels of Mo17xB79 in the presence of the herbicide. Pollen obtained from treated tassels showed a greater tolerance to acetochlor, assessed asin vitro tube length reaction, than pollen obtained from control tassels. Moreover, the backcross [B79 (Mo17xB79)] sporophytic population obtained using pollen from the treated tassels was more tolerant (as indicated by the fresh weight of plants grown in the presence of the herbicide) than was the control backcross population. The two populations did not differ when grown without the herbicide. These findings indicate that genes controlling the reaction to acetochlor in maize have haplodiploid expression; consequently, pollen selection can be applied for improving plant tolerance.