Part Three - Seed Weight in Maize An important quantitative trait in maize is seed weight. Obviously, a maize line that produces larger kernels will have a higher yield and will be thus more...

Extracted text: Part Three - Seed Weight in Maize An important quantitative trait in maize is seed weight. Obviously, a maize line that produces larger kernels will have a higher yield and will be thus more profitable to grow. Breeders may also be interested in developing varieties whose kernels are enriched for the essential amino acids and thus provide better nutrition when used as livestock feed. One mutation that appeared to offer just that was opaque-2 (so called because the kernels transmit light poorly compared to normal kernels). The seed protein from plants homozygous for the opaque-2 mutation was found to have a significantly better balance of the essential amino acids than that from normal maize. Unfortunately, kernels of the opaque-2 line are smaller than normal, leading to lower yield and reduced profits for farmers. (This line has other deficiencies as well, including increased susceptibility to insect pests and poor germina- tion rates.) Again, you will be given data from a previous class. From the weights for each group entered on the Exercise Data Sheets, calculate the mean, variance, and standard deviation of kernel weight in the two parental lines and their F, and F, IGS LAD NUAL generations. Use these values and the Sewall Wright formula to calculate n, and estimate the number of genes for seed weight segregating in this cross. Part Three - Seed Weight in Maize No. P, P2 F, F2 1 2.94 1.25 2.37 2.24 2.89 1.07 2.52 2.37 2.49 1.66 2.77 2.89 4 2.73 1.63 2.49 2.91 2.77 1.49 2.57 2.43 2.94 1.35 2.43 2.43 2.27 1.13 2.32 2.49 8 3.27 1.32 2.48 3.04 (Xp-Xp2)2