Fig. 3. bif2 is required for branch meristem formation: scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of normal and bif2 mutant inflorescences. (A) A normal male inflorescence at 5-weeks old. The inflorescence meristem (im) produces axillary meristems called branch meristems (bm) which then form two spikelet meristems (sm). (B) A bif2 male inflorescence at 5-weeks old. The inflorescence meristem fails to produce branch meristems. Ripples are visible on the surface of the rachis. (C) A normal female inflorescence at 8 weeks of age. The higher magnification shows that branch meristems (bm) form in the axils of bract primordia (br), which are suppressed. (D) A bif2 female inflorescence at 8 weeks. The ripples on the surface of the rachis resemble bract primordia. Bm, branch meristem; br, bract primordium; sm, spikelet meristem; im, inflorescence meristem. Scale bar, 200 µm.
