Genetics of fertility restoration of the A4 cytoplasmic-nuclear male sterility system in pearl millet
Inheritance of fertility restoration of the A<sub>4</sub> system of cytoplasmic-nuclear male sterility in pearl millet was investigated using six crosses between two diverse male sterile lines (A-lines) and three diverse restorers (R-lines). The segregation pattern of male sterile (S) and male fertile (F) plants observed in F<sub>2</sub>, and BC<sub>1 </sub>in two seasons at ICRISAT, Patancheru, indicated the dominant single-gene control of male fertility restoration. The segregation pattern in BC<sub>1</sub>F<sub>2</sub> progenies derived from the fertile BC<sub>1</sub> plants evaluated for one season provided further evidence for the single-gene control. The season did not have much effect on fertility restoration. The information on the single-gene control of fertility restoration will help in diversifying the restorer genetic base of the A<sub>4 </sub>CMS system and enhance R-line breeding efficiency in pearl millet.