Maintenance of Male Sterile Parents of Hybrids Through Micropropagation
Normally, genetic male sterile lines used for hybrid production are maintained through crosses with a maintainer male fertile restorer line. The F₁ hybrid will be fertile, and in segregating F₂ lines, male sterile plants can be selected only on maturity unless markers are used. Therefore, the use of genetic male sterility for hybrid seed production is problematic. In view of this, (in some cases e.g. pepper), maintenance of genetic male sterile plants through tissue culture has been practised.