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EMS Mutagenesis of Maize Pollen

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Plant Embryogenesis

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 2122))

Abstract

Effective mutagenesis is critical for connecting traits of interest to specific plant genes. The development of site-directed mutagenesis and sequenced-indexed genetics resources in maize allows for targeted analysis of individual genes. These reverse genetics approaches have the potential for confirmation bias by only studying candidate genes for association with traits of interest. Genetic screens of induced, random mutations are important for identifying novel loci as well as interacting factors for known mutant loci. Chemical mutagenesis provides very high mutation rates and can be used for a variety of screen designs. This chapter provides an updated protocol for ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS) mutagenesis of maize pollen using paraffin or mineral oil. Mutagenesis occurs in mature pollen causing nonconcordant endosperm and embryo genotypes as well as sectored M1 plants. Considerations for these factors in genetic screens are discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by grants from NIFA (SCRI-2018-51181-28419), the NSF (IOS-1444456), and the Vasil-Monsanto Endowment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Horticultural Sciences Department and Plant Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    A. Mark Settles

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  1. A. Mark Settles
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Correspondence to A. Mark Settles .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Tübingen, Germany

    Martin Bayer

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Settles, A.M. (2020). EMS Mutagenesis of Maize Pollen. In: Bayer, M. (eds) Plant Embryogenesis. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2122. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0342-0_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-0342-0_3

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-0716-0341-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-0716-0342-0

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