Influence of Tetracycline on the Expression of Cytoplasmic Male Sterility (cms) in Chives (Allium schoenoprasum L.)

To influence the expression of cytoplasmic male sterility (cms), different clone members of male sterile genotypes of chives were treated with different chemicals, especially antibiotics which are known to act as protein synthesis inhibitors. A remarkable number of male sterile plants turned to partial or full male fertility after the treatment with tetracycline HCl and tetracycline base. Pollen grains produced by tetracycline on male sterile plants were viable and able to fertilize the egg cells. By using the perennial nature of Allium schoenoprasum L. it could be shown that the fertility induced on male sterile plants by tetracycline is reversible. This could be of practical importance for the multiplication of male sterile parents in hybrid breeding. None of the chemicals had any effect on the fertility of male fertile plants. Differences in reaction indicated that genetic differences exist between male sterile plants responding to tetracycline and those which do not. The results are discussed in view of the influence of tetracycline on the mitochondrial protein biosynthesis.