The Developmental Genetics of the Calcarozdes Gene in Barley, 11. Peroxidase Activity in Mutant and Normal Plants at Progressive Stages

ALCAROIDES is a single-gene recessive mutation in Hordeum uulgare var. ‘Bonus having pleiotropic effects on plant development. A sac-like structure forms at the lemma awn base. and the leaves of calcaroides plants are occasionally twisted or curled, and acquires a brown mottled appearance after obtaining full maturity. In a previous publication (STEBBINS and PRICE 1971), evidence was presented which indicates that the morphological events leading to the development of the sac on lemma awns of plants homozygous for the calcaroides mutation are initiated by an increase in the proportion of longitudinal cell divisions, relative to the long axis of the lemma, and a decrease in the amount of cell elongation in cells of the awn meristem. These events are first observed at awn developmental stages represented by anther lengths 280 and 400 , A, respectively, and result in divergence from a growth pattern of orderly arranged cells elongating in the direction of the long axis of the lemma. to an irregular growth pattern characterized by more isodiametrically and irregularly shaped cells. Subsequently, cell divisions and cell elongation in a direction perpendicular to the long axis of the lemma form the sac characteristic of calcaroides awns. In the present publication the results of a study of peroxidase activity as affected by the calcaroides mutation will be reported and discussed.