Inflorescence branching in maize: A quantitative genetics approach to identifying key players in the inflorescence development pathway

iv CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 Dissertation Organization 1 Literature Review 2 Research Goals 13 Literature Cited 14 Tables and Figures 21 CHAPTER 2. IDENTIFICATION AND MAPPING OF EMS-INDUCED MODIFIERS OF BRANCHING IN RAMOSA MUTANTS 25 Abstract 25 Introduction 25 Materials and Methods 29 Results 30 Discussion 34 Literature Cited 37 Tables and Figures 40 CHAPTER 3. QUANTITATIVE TRAIT LOCI FOR EAR BRANCH NUMBER IN RA1-63.3359 MUTANTS 53 Abstract 53 Introduction 53 Materials and Methods 55 Results 60 Discussion 62 Literature Cited 64 Tables and Figures 67 CHAPTER 4. QUANTITATIVE TRAIT LOCI FOR EAR BRANCH NUMBER IN RA2-R MUTANTS 85 Abstract 85 Introduction 86 Materials and Methods 87 Results 89 Discussion 91 Literature Cited 93 Tables and Figures 96