The Crop Science Society of America is pleased to publish in color the mutant characters in maize as a special book. Maize is American in origin and an important food, feed, and industrial crop in the Americas and in other areas of the world. The maize plant (Zea mays L.) has been particularly useful in genetic and cytogenetic studies. Many of the fundamental principles of genetics and cytogenetics have been established or substantiated with maize. Some of the characters are of no economic value but serve as excellent genetic markers for the maize chromosomes. Other mutants form the basis for improvement of the crop. Examples of useful mutants include the endosperm mutant for high lysine content; the high amylose mutant, ae, and the waxy mutant, wx, forming the basis of new industrial products from maize starch; and cytoplasmic male sterility and restorer systems for hybrid seed production.
These up-to-date color illustrations of the mutants should be helpful to researchers around the world in recognition and classification of the mutant characters. It is also anticipated that the availability of these fine illustrations will acquaint instructors of botany and biology in colleges and high schools with the potential use of maize mutants for laboratory classes. Finally, it is hoped that these illustrations may serve to interest and motivate students into the fields of genetics and plant improvement.