Alternate cytoplasms and apomixis of sorghum and pearl millet

Abstract

Cytoplasmic-nuclear male sterility (CAdS) has been an important factor in the improvement o f sorghum and pearl millet by increasing yield, expanding production, and stimulatingresearch and breeding. The identification o f alternate sterility-inducing cytoplasms and their emerging deployment hold promise for further advances. Current research to determine the cause and control o f CMS in these species could lead to greater efficiency and effectiveness in using CMS to select parents andproduce hybrids. Apomixis, although not now used with either sorghum or pearl millet, has the potential to be as important as male sterility in these species. Potential sources have been identified and research is in progress on characterization, introgression, and enhancement. The ability to perpetuate hybrid vigor by self-pollination could be very important in some o f the major sorghum and millet growing areas