Molecular classification of Maize cytoplasms in a breeding program

  • Colombo. N, Presello, D.A., Kandus M., G.E. Eyherabide and J.C. Salerno
Keywords: Maize, cytoplasmic male sterility, molecular markers, hybrid seed production.

Abstract

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is maternally inherited in most of higher plants species. Together with nuclear restorer
genes (Rf), CMS cytoplasms contribute significantly to the efficient production of hybrid seed. Three main types of male
sterile cytoplasms are known in maize: T, S and C, which can be distinguished by crossing with specific restorer lines.
Recently, PCR markers have been developed allowing the identification of different cytoplasms quickly and accurately. Our
objective was to classify the cytoplasm type of maize inbred lines used in our breeding program and F1s obtained from
crosses between CMS lines and elite maize lines using PCR multiplex. A multiplex PCR protocol was optimized for our
conditions. We obtained the molecular classification of the analyzed cytoplasms. The optimized protocol is a valuable tool to
trace male sterile cytoplasms and determine hybrid seed purity in our maize breeding program.
Published
30-06-2012
How to Cite
Colombo. N, Presello, D.A., Kandus M., G.E. Eyherabide and J.C. Salerno
Molecular classification of Maize cytoplasms in a breeding program. 2012. Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding, 3 2, 741-746. Retrieved from https://www.ejplantbreeding.org/index.php/EJPB/article/view/490
Section
Research Article