Fig. 2

Inflorescence meristem size in hybrids and inbred lines. A Scanning electron micrograph of 2–4-mm immature ears from Zheng58×lx9801^hlEW2b (HY) and Zheng58×lx9801 (CK), Bar = 200 μm. B Scanning electron micrograph of 2–4-mm immature ears from lx9801, lx9801^hlEW2b and Zheng58, Bar = 150 μm. C–D Comparison of inflorescence meristem size between lx9801, lx9801^hlEW2b, Zheng58, Zheng58×lx9801^hlEW2b and Zheng58×lx9801. * and ** indicate significant differences at the 0.05 and 0.01 probability levels. More than 10 individuals were measured for each inbred line, and 30 individuals were measured for the two hybrids