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Genetics and biology of cytoplasmic male sterility and its applications in forage and turf grass breeding
Author(s) -
Islam Md. Shofiqul,
Studer Bruno,
Møller Ian Max,
Asp Torben
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
plant breeding
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.583
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1439-0523
pISSN - 0179-9541
DOI - 10.1111/pbr.12155
Subject(s) - biology , cytoplasmic male sterility , heterosis , microbiology and biotechnology , molecular breeding , forage , plant breeding , sterility , genomics , perennial plant , agronomy , hybrid seed , genome , genetics , gene , hybrid
Hybrid breeding can exploit heterosis and thus offers opportunities to maximize yield, quality and resistance traits in crop species. Cytoplasmic male sterility ( CMS ) is a widely applied tool for efficient hybrid seed production. Encoded in the mitochondrial genome, CMS is maternally inherited, and thus, it can be challenging to apply in breeding schemes of allogamous self‐incompatible plant species, such as perennial ryegrass. Starting with a general introduction to the origin and the function of mitochondria in plants, this review focuses on the genetics and biology of CMS systems in plants to identify conserved and system‐specific mechanisms. We examine prospects of comparative mitochondrial genomics to identify candidate genes and causative polymorphisms associated with CMS across species and discuss specificities, obstacles and potentials of CMS as a breeding tool for maximizing heterosis in forage grasses. The purpose of the review is to highlight the importance of CMS and hybrid breeding in grasses, with the aim of facilitating research and development of novel breeding strategies to address the future needs for food, feed and biomass production.