Genetics and cytology of a new male-sterile, female-fertile soybean mutant

• Published in: Crop science 1999-01, Vol.39 (1), p.58-64
• Main Authors: Harslan, H, Horner, H.T, Palmer, R.G
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; allelism; Biological and medical sciences; cell biology; Cellular biology; Cytology; female fertility; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gametogenesis; gene expression; genetic recombination; Genetics; Genetics and breeding of economic plants; Glycine max; Heterosis. Floral biology applications: apomixy, male sterility, incompatibility, varia; histology; hybrids; inheritance (genetics); linkage (genetics); male sterility; mutants; Mutation; plant breeding; Plant breeding: fundamental aspects and methodology; plant development; Plant mutation; plant organs; recessive genes; sexual reproduction; Soybean; Soybean industry; Soybeans; spores
• ISSN: 0011-183X; 1435-0653
• DOI: 10.2135/cropsci1999.0011183X003900010009x

Mutants affecting male sterility have potential applications in breeding methodology studies and for commercialization of hybrids. Male-sterile, female-fertile soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] plants were observed in an F2 entry. Our objectives were to determine the inheritance, linkage, and allelism of the A94.JB-124 male-sterile, female-fertile mutant, and to conduct a detailed comparative microscopic study of microsporogenesis and microgametogenesis of fertile and sterile plants. The A94-JB-124 male-sterile, female-fertile mutant is a single recessive gene, allelic to ms6, and is linked to the W1 (flower color locus) with 4.3 +/- 0.3% recombination value based on 988 F2 plants in the coupling linkage phase. A comparative microscopic study of microsporogenesis and microgametogenesis of fertile and sterile plants was conducted. The expression of the male-sterile gene is associated with rapid degenerative changes both in the tapetum and the parietal layer. These changes are initiated at the late sporogenous mass stage. The A94-JB-124 mutant was assigned gene symbol Ms6 ms6 (Ames 2) and Genetic Type Collection number T354H. The T295H Afs6 Ms6 mutant is now designated Ms6 ms6 (Ames 1). T354H will be useful in the Cosegregation Method to produce hybrid soybean seed.