Molecular characterization of genetic male sterile genotypes in cotton (Gossypium spp.)

Abstract

Cotton, the white gold is the hub of textile industry in the world. Cotton, being often cross pollinated crop, is amenable for heterosis breeding; system of male sterility is of great practical significance as it avoids labor intensive process of hand emasculation that greatly aids in hybrid seed production. Apart from easy hybrid seed production, the hybrid seeds produced through male sterility system have high genetic purity. In cotton, GMS is preferred over Cytoplasmic Genetic Male Sterile (CGMS) system as it overcomes the drawbacks of cytoplasmic effect and problem of fertility restoration. GMS character in tetraploids is conditioned by double homogeneous recessive alleles, ms5 ms5 ms6 ms6 and other genes have also been identified whereas in diploids it is controlled by single recessive alleles, ams1 ams1.