Suppressor of Sessile spikelets 1 (Sos1): A Dominant Mutant Affecting Inflorescence Development in Maize

American Journal of BotanyVolume 82, Issue 5 p. 571-577 Structure and Development Suppressor of sessile spikelets1 (Sosl): a dominant mutant affecting inflorescence development in maize John Doebley, John Doebley Department of Plant Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108Search for more papers by this authorAdrian Stec, Adrian Stec Department of Plant Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108Search for more papers by this authorBeth Kent, Beth Kent Department of Plant Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108Search for more papers by this author John Doebley, John Doebley Department of Plant Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108Search for more papers by this authorAdrian Stec, Adrian Stec Department of Plant Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108Search for more papers by this authorBeth Kent, Beth Kent Department of Plant Biology, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55108Search for more papers by this author First published: 01 May 1995 https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1537-2197.1995.tb11501.xCitations: 14 Author for correspondence. AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Abstract Suppressor of sessile spikeletsl (Sos1) is a dominant mutant of maize that blocks branching of the spikelet-pair primordium to form the sessile spikelet during ear development. As a result, Sos1 mutant ears and tassels possess single spikelets as opposed to the normal condition of paired spikelets, one sessile and the other pedicellate. Sos1 also causes a reduction in the number of tassel branches and the number of orthostichies (or cupule ranks) in the ear. The sos1 genetic locus maps to the short arm of maize chromosome 4. The Sos1 single spikelet phenotype appears similar to the single spikelet phenotype found in teosinte, the probable progenitor of maize. This similarity invites the hypothesis that sos1 had a role in the evolution of maize from teosinte. However, genetic mapping data and a comparison of the developmental basis of the single spikelet condition in the Sos1 mutant and teosinte demonstrate that their similar phenotypes result from distinct genetic-developmental mechanisms. These results indicate that sos1 was not involved in the evolution of maize and caution against drawing conclusions of homology based solely on similar adult phenotypes. Citing Literature Volume82, Issue5May 1995Pages 571-577 RelatedInformation