Restoration studies involving milo and maldandi sources of male sterility in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]

Abstract

The lone or only source of cytoplasmic-genetic male sterility in sorghum [Sorghum bieolor (L.) Moench] used extensively for commercial hybrid seed production is the milo source [1]. The hazards of such a narrow cytoplasmic base are apparent and consequently new diverse sources like A2, A3, A4, maldandi, VZM and G1 were identified [2, 3, 4]. However, the commercial exploitation of these sources has not been possible because of the difficulty in fertility restoration on these sources. Maldandi and A2 sources can be utilized more easily compared to the other sources [5, 6]. The present investigation was conducted with an aim to identify stable restorers for the maldandi and milo sources of cytoplasm. For this purpose, diverse germplasm accessions representing various regions were selected to study their sterility maintenance/fertility restoration abilities on milo and maldandi sources of male sterility.