Variation for maize B chromosome preferential fertilization: a component of the B chromosome drive mechanism

Abstract The B chromosome in maize is a supernumerary chromosome that due to its dispensability is present in only some lines of maize. Over its evolution, the B chromosome has developed a two-part drive mechanism that ensures its continued presence in maize populations. Its drive mechanism involves nondisjunction at the second pollen mitosis in which two sperm cells are produced and preferential fertilization by the sperm with the two B chromosomes more often joining with the egg as opposed to the central cell in the process of double fertilization. Previous work had suggested some lines of maize exhibit a different response and that this was controlled by the female parent. We sought to examine the variation for this trait by testing a wide spectrum of characterized maize lines. Most inbred lines exhibit the canonical preference for the egg cell, some appear to have random fertilization, and one inbred line (B73) shows a preference for the B containing sperm to fertilize the central cell.