CMS (Cytoplasmic Male Sterility)
A genetic condition in plants that prevents the production of functional pollen, used primarily to facilitate large-scale hybrid seed production.
Также говорят: cytoplasmic male sterility, CMS line
CMS is widely employed in plant breeding to create F1 hybrids by preventing self-pollination. This system eliminates the need for manual emasculation of flowers, which is essential for the commercial viability of hybrid crops like sunflower, canola, and corn.
Successful implementation depends on the use of effective fertility restorer lines to ensure the resulting commercial crop can produce grain or fruit. Common errors include poor synchronization of flowering times between the sterile and fertile parents, and inadequate isolation distances, which can lead to contamination by unwanted pollen.