Environment‐sensitive genic male sterility in rice and other plants

Abstract

Environment‐sensitive genic male sterility is a type of male sterility that is affected by both genetic and environmental factors. Environment‐sensitive genic male sterile lines are not only used in two‐line hybrid breeding but are also good materials for studying plant−environment interactions. In this study we review the research progress on environment‐sensitive genic male sterility in rice from the perspectives of epigenetic, transcriptional, posttranscriptional, posttranslational and metabolic mechanisms as well as signal transduction processes. While significant progress has been made in the genetics, gene cloning and understanding of the molecular mechanisms of environment‐sensitive genic male sterility in recent years, the relevant regulatory network is still poorly understood in rice. We therefore also review studies of environment‐sensitive genic male sterility in Arabidopsis and other crops, hoping to promote research in this field in rice. Finally, we analyse the challenges posed by environment‐sensitive genic male sterility and provide corresponding suggestions. This review will contribute towards an understanding the molecular genetics of environment‐sensitive genic male sterility and its application in two‐line hybrid breeding in rice and other species.

Prospects for rice in 2050

“…Cloning ESGMS genes and elucidating their underlying mechanisms are vital for the application of ESGMS line in rice hybrid breeding. Peng et al (2022) summarized current understanding of molecular mechanisms of ESGMS and their applications in rice hybrid breeding. The detailed molecular mechanisms of four types of ESGMS found in rice, namely PSGMS (photoperiod‐sensitive GMS), TSGMS (thermal‐sensitive GMS), HSGMS (humidity‐sensitive GMS), and NSGMS (nitrogen‐sensitive GMS), presented in this review (Peng et al, 2022), would benefit future efforts in overcoming bottlenecks that limit the application of ESGMS in rice two‐line hybrid breeding.…”

An E3 ubiquitin ligase CSIT2 controls critical sterility‐inducing temperature of thermo‐sensitive genic male sterile rice

“…Heterosis refers to the phenomenon that heterozygous hybrid is superior to parents in growth potential, viability, adaptability, yield, etc., which is widely applied in breeding of crops and animals (Comings & MacMurray, 2000; Huang et al ., 2016). Hybrids of rice ( Oryza sativa L.), mainly including three‐line and two‐line hybrid rice, are cultivated in more than 60 countries and their yields are 10–20% higher than inbred rice, significantly increasing production to ensure food security (Yuan, 2015; Peng et al ., 2023b). Compared with three‐line hybrid rice, two‐line hybrid rice makes more full use of heterosis, and more elite hybrid combinations can be selected, and the breeding procedure is more simple etc., thus, it has been widely cultivated in China (Chen & Liu, 2014).…”

Construction of a Female Sterility Maintaining System Based on a Novel Mutation of the MEL2 Gene

“…The “two-line system” uses a photoperiod/thermo-sensitive genic male sterile (PTGMS) line and a paternal line of different nuclear genome (Cheng et al 2007 ). The male sterility phenotype of PTGMS lines is controlled by a recessive nuclear gene that is sensitive to changes of day-length and/or environmental temperature (Peng et al 2022 ). Propagation of the PTGMS line is through self-pollination under environmental conditions restoring its male fertility, while production of hybrid seeds is through crosspollination by the paternal line under environmental conditions suppressing the male fertility of the PTGMS line (Peng et al 2022 ).…”

“…The male sterility phenotype of PTGMS lines is controlled by a recessive nuclear gene that is sensitive to changes of day-length and/or environmental temperature (Peng et al 2022 ). Propagation of the PTGMS line is through self-pollination under environmental conditions restoring its male fertility, while production of hybrid seeds is through crosspollination by the paternal line under environmental conditions suppressing the male fertility of the PTGMS line (Peng et al 2022 ). The “two-line system” has been adopted for rice production since 1990s, and it occupies ~ 4.6 million hectares in China (Bai et al 2018 ).…”