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[email protected] Numbers displayed above are based on latest data collected. For more information visit www.intechopen.com Chapter 2 Polyembryony in Maize: A Complex, Elusive, and Potentially Agronomical Useful Trait Mariela R. Michel, Marisol Cruz-Requena, MarielaMarselino R. Michel,C. Avendaño-Sanchez, Marisol Cruz-Requena, MarselinoVíctor M. González-Vazquez, C. Avendaño-Sanchez, VíctorAdriana M. C. González-Vazquez, Flores-Gallegos, AdrianaCristóbal C. N. Flores-Gallegos, Aguilar, José Espinoza-Velázquez Cristóbal N. Aguilar, and Raúl Rodríguez-Herrera José Espinoza-Velázquez and RaúlAdditional Rodríguez-Herrera information is available at the end of the chapter Additional information is available at the end of the chapter http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.70549 Abstract Polyembryony (PE) is a rare phenomenon in cultivated plant species. Since nineteenth cen- tury, several reports have been published on PE in maize. Reports of multiple seedlings developing at embryonic level in laboratory and studies under greenhouse and field condi- tions have demonstrated the presence of PE in cultivated maize (Zea mays L.). Nevertheless, there is a lack of knowledge about this phenomenon; diverse genetic mechanisms controlling PE in maize have been proposed: Mendelian inheritance of a single gene, interaction between two genes and multiple genes are some of the proposed mechanisms.