27th Annual Student Research Conference
Characterization of Developmental Maize Mutant rld*5409
Singha R. Dhungana* and Kyler L. Carlson♦
Dr. Diane Janick-Buckner and Dr. Brent Buckner, Faculty Mentors
In maize, rice, and sorghum, leaf rolling is a typical response to water deficit, salt and temperature stress as well as UV radiation. Genetic studies have demonstrated that multiple genes influence the development and differentiation of the various cell types that affect leaf rolling, most notably bulliform and sclerenchyma cells. The maize mutant rld*5409 develops upwardly curled leaves, narrow leaf-blades and ectopic ligules. We performed various histological studies comparing wild-type and mutant leaves to determine the likely cause of leaf rolling and found a number of patterning defects. rld*5409 leaves demonstrate reduced bulliform cells and leaf hairs on their adaxial surface, patches of tissue with bulliform cells and leaf hairs on their abaxial surface, and abnormal structure and patterning of stomata. Additionally, fewer sclerified cells were observed in the abaxial portion of rld*5409 leaves. Thus, several aspects of leaf development are altered in rld*5409 leaves which likely contribute to its rolled leaf phenotype.
Keywords: Maize, rolled leaf, stomata, leaf hair, developmental mutant
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 4-11
Location: GEO - SUB
Time: 3:30
♦ Indicates Truman Graduate Student