Abstract:Systematic electrophoretic analysis of albumins and globulins of the inbred and hybrid corn (Zea mays) seeds was carried out on an improved lactate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, a method with high resolving power, good reproducibility and stability. The electrophoregram was classified into four groups designated as α、β、γandω respectively. Each inbred or hybrid had its own unique band pattern distinguishable from the others, regarding as its "fingerprint”. The band pattern of the whole kernel was basically similar to that of its embryo, except that of the endosperm showing less bands with weaker staining intensity; and most of the patterns overlapped with those of the embryo. The band number of the Fl hybrid was exactly equivalent to the number of the common bands and the specific bands of the two parents, indicating that the difference of band patterns was a genetic trait controlled by the nuclear genes. The F1 electrophoregram could be predicted by those of the two parents. The band pattern of the Fl hybrids was identical with that produced from mechanically mixed extract of the two parent inbreds. This procedure could be used in corn cultivar identification and as a test for genetic purity.