Genetic Engineering of Male Sterility for Hybrid Seed Production

In order to prevent self-pollination in some plants like corn, tomato and cabbage, emasculation of the female line by hand is required, raising costs and labor expenses of seed production. The utilization of naturally occurring cytoplasmatic male-sterility (cms) is a more efficient approach. Mostly correlated with changes in the mitochodrial or chloroplast DNA, in some lines of distinct species like maize, oilseed rape, rice and Beta beets the anthers do not develop viable pollen, consequently the flowers only contain fertile female reproductive organs making cross-pollination obligate.