ROLE OF CAROTENOIDS IN PROTECTING CHLOROPHYLL FROM PHOTODESTRUCTION—II. STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF FOUR MODIFIERS OF THE ALBINO cl1 MUTANT OF MAIZE*

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Abstract
Abstract— By combining independent, dominant, niodifier genes of the albino cl1 mutant it is possible to produce a spectrum of phenotypes ranging from normal green to albino. Analysis of plastid pigments reveals that the albino possesses the ability to produce as much or more chlorophyll than normal siblings and that this ability is not impaired by the presence of the modifier genes. The modifiers do influence, however, the amount of carotene and xanthophyll the plants produced. The level of the three plastid pigments (chlorophyll, carotene and xanthophyll) vary simultaneously and, in most modified phenotypes, occur in approximately the same concentrations relative to their normal siblings. Since chlorophyll production appears to be normal in these mutants, it is suggested that the modifier genes do not directly influence the concentration of this pigment. Rather, the ultimate amount of chlorophyll will not rise above that which can be protected from photodestruction by the carotenoid levels determined by the various modifier genotypes.