Differences In The Embryo-Specific Globulins Among Maize Inbred Lines And Their Hybrids

The subunit composition of the major seed embryo globulins of corn ( Zea mays L.) was studied in a series of inbred lines and their hybrids. Polypeptides of molecular weight (in kilodaltons kD) of 65, 50, 30, 29, and 21 kD were common to all inbred: and hybrids examined. Certain genotypes contained additional polypeptides. For instance, embryos of Mo17 contained a 58 kD polypeptide not found in B73, and embryos of B73 contained a 42 kD polypeptide not found in Mo17. The hybrid B73 ✕ Mo17 contained both of these polypeptides. These results suggest the pattern of embryo globulin peptides is distinctive in a particular inbred line and could be employed as part of a test for identity.