MEALY ENDOSPERM "ON THE COB" 



Figure 13. The mealy seeds are somewhat smaller and lighter in color than the normal 

 seeds on the same ear. Because of the phenomenon of double fertilization in maize, the 

 endosperm as well as the embryo is of hybrid origin, one fertilized egg nucleus producing 

 the ernbryo, and two others the endosperm. Therefore the results of crosses made to 

 :study inherited defects in the endosperm can be read directly from the ear without the neces- 

 sity of raising a second generation. 



