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Variety traits

Cytoplasmic Male Sterility in Maize

Zea mays L.

A trait representing the inability of maize to produce functional pollen while female organs develop normally, utilized in commercial seed production to eliminate the need for manual detasseling.

In the reference 76 varieties crop Maize, where this is mentioned in the description.

The trait is evaluated during the flowering period using scoring scales that analyze the completeness of anther extrusion and dehiscence. In breeding programs, lines are classified as maintainers of sterility or restorers of fertility (Rf-lines), while molecular genetic analysis allows for the determination of T, M, and C cytoplasm types even before flowering begins.

The expression of CMS depends on environmental factors, which in some cases trigger the phenomenon of late anther dehiscence. When selecting parental lines, the relationship between the cytoplasm type and phytopathological resistance is taken into account, as the use of the T-type in the past led to increased susceptibility of hybrids to Southern corn leaf blight.

General information about the subject — on the page Cytoplasmic Male Sterility (CMS).

Sources8

Varieties of Maize mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.