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Updated: Feb 16, 2026

Agrobacterium-Mediated Immature Embryo Transformation of Recalcitrant Maize Inbred Lines Using Morphogenic Genes
Published on: February 14, 2020
Polyspermy produces tri-parental seeds in maize
1Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, USA; Department of Plant and Microbial Biology & Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center, University of Zurich, Zollikerstrasse 107, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland.
Flowering plants lack a fast block to polyspermy in the central cell, unlike animals. This study reveals a potential genetic pathway for tri-parental individuals in maize, offering a new route to polyploidy.
Area of Science:
- Plant reproductive biology
- Fertilization mechanisms
Background:
- Double fertilization in flowering plants involves two sperm fusing with the egg and central cell.
- Animals utilize fast and slow blocks to prevent polyspermy, ensuring monospermy.
Discussion:
- This study genetically demonstrates the absence of a fast block to polyspermy in the maize central cell.
- Polyspermy in the egg cell may lead to tri-parental individuals.
Key Insights:
- Maize central cells do not employ a rapid defense against multiple sperm.
- The findings challenge existing models of plant fertilization and polyspermy prevention.
Outlook:
- Investigating the genetic mechanisms underlying polyspermy in plants.
- Exploring the role of tri-parental individuals in plant evolution and polyploidy generation.
Related Concept Videos
Trihybrid Crosses
Some of Mendel’s crosses examined three pairs of contrasting characteristics. Such a cross is called a trihybrid cross. A trihybrid cross is a combination of three individual monohybrid crosses. For example, plant height (tall vs. short), seed shape (round vs. wrinkled), and seed color (yellow vs. green).
The F1 generation plants of a trihybrid cross are heterozygous for all three traits and produce eight gametes. Upon self-fertilization, these gametes have an equal...
Dihybrid Crosses
Monohybrid Crosses
Law of Segregation
Law of Independent Assortment
Seed Structure and Early Development of the Sporophyte

