The defective endosperm prevents stand establishment under normal field conditions. The mutant expresses xenia and behaves as a zygotic lethal. Diethyl sulfate induced mutation in the cultivar Betzes, C.I. 6398. Ramage, R. T. and C. L. Crandall. Chromosomal location unknown.
Mutant plants are completely vegetative and have a rosette habit.
Internode elongation is absent until gibberellic acid is applied exogenously. Nearly normal growth can be induced by repeated applications of low concentrations of GA3, or by a single application of higher concentrations. Seed may be produced on treated plants. Plants grown from such seeds exhibit some carry-over effect of the GA3. A vegetative dwarf mutant in barley.