Determination of the “sectorial chimera kernel” composed of glutinous and non-glutinous endosperms in rice and the hypotheses on the effective causes of their occurrence. ( 1 )

Abstract

In February of 1964, two grains of “sectorial chimera kernel” of rice were found out unexpectedly among a great many hybrid seeds in F₃∼F₅ generations bred by crossing between the glutinous and non-glutinous paddy rice varieties. The “chimera kernel” possesses an endosperm being divided sharply into the glutinous and non-glutinous parts by the shallow notch surrounding the middle of the kernel, and both the “chimera kernel” are glutinous in the lower parts of the endosperms bounding on the embryos. Now, the reason for the occurrence of “chirnera kernels” is courpletely unaccountable. However, based upon past studies conducted from the genetic or physiological point of view, the following two hypotheses may be suggested.