Indian Journal of Plant Physiology

In vitro flowering through shoot tip culture was analyzed in four maize genotypes, viz. Vivek-4, Vivek-5, VL-42 & Him-129. Plants were regenerated from first nodal region of shoot tip in MS medium supplemented with 2 mg/l BAP and 500 mg/l casein hydrolysate. Multiple shooting was observed in all these varieties. After six week (42 days) of culture miniature cobs were developed only in three genotypes, i.e. Vivek-5, VL-42 and Him-129, under 16 hr photoperiod and 150 mol m⁻² sec⁻¹ light intensity at 25±2°C. In vitro flowering may be used as an effective tool for advancing hybrid production and to study the physiological and molecular aspects of flowering in maize.