Evaluation of Factors Indicating Epigenetic Polymorphism through Population of Maize Seedlings

Abstract

The evaluation of factors indicating the level of epigenetic polymorphism in the population of maize seedlings was carried out using restriction analysis with subsequent PCR and calculation of “epigenetic distance.” The difference in the seeds’ maturity degree according to the time of harvesting was shown to be one of them. The existence of another group of factors not depending on the maturity degree and leading to higher level of polymorphism was revealed. The role of ecological and physiological factors indicating epigenetic polymorphism level through next plant generation and the mechanisms of long-term “memory” of such effect is discussed.