Project Number: 5335-21000-028-00
Project Type: Appropriated

Start Date: Apr 01, 2006
End Date: Mar 31, 2011

Objective:
Objective 1: To map and characterize leaf mutants in maize. Objective 2: To positionally clone genes that regulate plant architecture in maize. Objective 3: To determine the function of genes through transgenic tests.

Approach:
Maize is an important crop as well as a model organism for other cereals such as sorghum, barley, rice and wheat. The large number of genetic mutants, in combination with the ease of obtaining and mapping additional mutants, makes maize an excellent system for determining the function of genes. We propose to identify genes that regulate maize leaf development and shoot architecture. We will carry out mutagenesis with defined inbreds using the chemical mutagen EMS. Mutants will be characterized genetically and histologically. The genes will be mapped to position and cloned. The functions will be determined by expression analysis and further genetics. We already have two mutants at different stages of analysis. The dominant Liguleless narrow mutant has been mapped to position and beginning characterization is under way. The dominant Wavy auricle in blade1 (Wab1) mutant has been localized to a BAC contig. Once we clone Wab1, we will determine the function of the wild-type gene product. In order to follow expression of the genes we clone, we have developed a vector for gene fusions. We are presently testing this vector with the liguleless1 gene. REPLACES 5335-21000-018-00D (4/06). BSL 1; 2/19/08.