The maize preligule band is subdivided into distinct domains with contrasting cellular properties prior to ligule outgrowth

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Abstract
The maize ligule is an epidermis-derived structure that arises from the preligule band (PLB) at a boundary between the blade and sheath. A hinge-like auricle also develops immediately distal to the ligule and contributes to blade angle. Here, we characterize the stages of PLB and early ligule development in terms of topography, cell area, division orientation, cell wall rigidity and auxin response dynamics. Differential thickening of epidermal cells and localized periclinal divisions contributed to the formation of a ridge within the PLB, which ultimately produces the ligule fringe. Patterns in cell wall rigidity were consistent with the subdivision of the PLB into two regions along a distinct line positioned at the nascent ridge. The proximal region produces the ligule, while the distal region contributes to one epidermal face of the auricles. Although the auxin transporter PIN1 accumulated in the PLB, observed differential auxin transcriptional response did not underlie the partitioning of the PLB. Our data demonstrate that two zones with contrasting cellular properties, the preligule and preauricle, are specified within the ligular region before ligule outgrowth.
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Funding Information
  • National Science Foundation (IOS-1052051, NSF 1548571, USDA CA-R-BPS-7659-H, USDA-AFRI 2012-67014-19429, NSF 1244202, NSF 1716972, NSF-Career 1942734, DBI 0501862)
  • Office of Postsecondary Education (P200A210029)
  • University of California

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