Cytoplasmic Male Sterility (CMS) in Cauliflower Breeding: A Review

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis L.), a member of family Brassicaceae, is one of the principal vegetable crops cultivated throughout the world. To elevate the productivity and enhance the quality, hybrid breeding of cauliflower is the most reliable option. Hybrid cauliflower seed may be produced without costly, labour intensive emasculation pollination systems and climate affected self-incompatibility systems, by the utilization of cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS). CMS has gained popularity among public as well as private sector as a most trustworthy breeding opportunity. Interaction of a mitochondrial CMS gene and a nuclear fertility restoring (Rf) genes resulted in the production of non-functional pollen which helped to achieve 100% purity in hybrids. CMS emerged as the more adequate and valuable system for cauliflower hybrid breeding, as fertility restoration is not desired, crop being harvested as a vegetative produce (curd stage). Biotechnological tools nowadays have been explored to improve the available CMS germplasm. In this review, we provide insights into the history, effects of cytoplasm on growth and flower characteristics, utilization of biotechnological tools along with the advantages, practical implications and future prospects of CMS for cauliflower hybrid breeding.