The relative efficiency of cytokinins in the development of normal spikelets on cultured tassels of Zea mays

Abstract

Tassels of Zea mays L. (cv. Seneca-60) cultured in a defined liquid medium, produce normal spikelets, especially in the presence of cytokinins. Kinetin and benzylaminopurine (BAP) are the most efficient cytokinins, both in terms of the frequency with which tassels produce normal spikelets and in the number of such spikelets per tassel. Zeatin, zeatin riboside, and 6-(γ,γ-dimethylallylamino)-purine (2iP) are less effective. Other common and individual responses to the cytokinins are noted.