Marker systems for the phenotypic recognition of maternally derived trisomics in maize

Abstract

Marker systems are described for selected B-A translocations in maize that will permit the phenotypic recognition of different doses of the respective chromosome arm transmitted through the female parent. These markers are transposable elements that exhibit dosage effects on the rate or timing of transposition of a nonautonomous responder in a reporter anthocyanin pigment gene. The crossing protocol to produce and recognize segregating kernels with different doses of the respective chromosomal segments is outlined. The ability to distinguish different doses inherited from the female parent will facilitate tests of parental gene imprinting, dosage interaction of different genomic regions, as well as standard gene localization and dosage studies.