Importance

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Abstract

Heterosis designates the increased growth or other augmented action resulting from crossing, however it is produced. Male sterility of female parent is an important biological mechanism for the commercial production of hybrid seed. Male sterility can be created by genetic manipulation, environmental influences, chemical induction and biological engineering. In principle, male sterility is a physiological disorder and the creation of complete male sterility either is costly or brings about other physiological disorders. Integrating the resistance gene to a non-selective herbicide into male parent and spraying the herbicide onto the hybrid population resulting from mating with the male parent for securing hybrid purity reduce the strict demand for complete male sterility. Therefore, simple and practical methodologies such as environmental and chemical means can be employed in the induction of male sterility, and the conflict of male sterility with other physiological disorders can be well balanced. The concept of this invention is applicable to all the crops and plants in which male sterility has been studied for heterosis purposes including rice (Oryza sativa L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), corn (Zea mays L.), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), soybean (Glycine max L.), sorghum [Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench], rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), oat (Avena sativa L.), rye (Secale cereale L.), pearl millet [Pennisetum typhoides (Burm) Stspf et Hubb.], alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.), sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), onion (Allium cepa L.), petunia (Petunia hybrida Hort.), and carrot (Daucus carota L.).

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First Claim