Spontaneous Doubling of the Chromosome Complement in Monoploid Sporophytes of Maize

Monoploid plants of maize are of interest to the plant breeder as a possible source of homozygous lines; that is, for the production of the genetic equivalents of inbred lines. For this reason data concerning the reproductive success of these plants are of importance. One factor contributing to the fertility of monoploids is spontaneous doubling of the chromosome complement in occasional cells resulting in the production of diploid tissue sectors which involve the anthers and ovules