Water Deficit and Inflorescence Development in Zea mays L.—The Role of the Developing Tassel

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Abstract
In the normal pattern of development of Zea mays (cv. Iochief) a single mature female inflorescence is produced at node 7. A brief episode of water deficit at the time of terminal male inflorescence initiation induced the subsequent development of two to three mature female inflorescences at nodes 5–7. This growth of the inflorescences at lower nodes was accompanied by a marked inhibition of the growth of the terminal male inflorescence. Removal of either the developing terminal inflorescence or of the axillary inflorescence at node 7 at this time also promoted the growth of the lower axillary inflorescences. The growth of these inflorescences was further stimulated by a period of water deficit when only the inflorescence at node 7 was removed, but removal of the male inflorescence abolished the capacity of these inflorescences to respond to the water deficit Excision of the male inflorescence immediately before or immediately after the period of water deficit produced the same response. It is concluded that this response of the lower axillary inflorescences to water deficit is mediated through an effect on the developing terminal male inflorescence.

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