Cytoplasm induced sterility. Fertility is restored by Rf1 and the restoration is gametophytically determined. A chimeric atp6 gene (urf-rmc) is found unique in cms-bo cytoplasm. Introduction of the restorer fertility gene alters the urf-rmc gene transcription, indicating the participation of the chimeric gene in the expression of CMS.
1. Comparison of pollen mitosis between male-fertile and cytoplasmic male-sterile lines. a, c: Normal pollen grains possessing the two wedge-shaped sperm nuclei in normal lines, Norin 9 and I-128 Taichung 65: Note the vegetative nucleus loosing the nucleolus. b, d: Abnormal pollen grains in CMS lines, K-11 Norin 9 CMS and I-127 Taichung 65 CMS: Note the abnormal sperm nuclei stained faintly and the nucleolus of the vegetative nucleus stained intensively by aceto-carmine.
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2. Comparison of pollen development between male-fertile (left) and cytoplasmic male-sterile (right) lines. a, b: Pollen grains one day prior to flowering, stained by the iodium potassium iodide solution (I2-KI). c, d: Transverse section of anther in uninucleate pollen stage, showing a normal tapetal development in both male-fertile and male-sterile plants. e, f: Late binucleate pollen stage, showing no difference between the both male-fertile and male-sterile plants. g, h: Pollen grains four days prior to flowering, stained by iodium potassium iodide solution (I2-KI).