Effect of maize (Zea mays L.) endosperm mutants on the surface relief of the kernel pericarp

Relief studies on the outer surface of the kernel pericarp were conducted using interference microscopy. Comparisons involving pattern, cell relief height and cell width were made between dominant and recessive kernels at the waxy (wx), sugary (su 1), shrunken (sh 2) and opaque (o 2) loci. The pericarp of the dominant and recessive kernels at each locus was genetically identical. The effect of the alleles at the sugary locus was tested in two genetic backgrounds. At some loci, distinct differences in pattern, cell relief height and cell width were found between dominant and recessive kernels. Over all loci and kernel phenotypes, the means ranged from 1.56 to 2.86 μ for cell relief height and from 18.5 to 27.4 μ for cell width. Generally the recessive kernels had a greater relief height and width than the corresponding dominant kernels. The effect of the alleles at the sugary locus was. altered by genetic background. Apparently, the alleles at these loci and genetic background can influence the relief of the outer surface of the kernel pericarp.