Effect of temperature on the expression of male sterility in Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea L. var. Gemmifera DC.)

Summary The effect of temperature on the expression of male sterility was studied in clones of partially male sterile and completely male sterile plants of Brussels sprouts.At a low temperature (10°C) most clones of male sterile plants developed normal fertile flowers, but some clones showed an opposite reaction. The female fertility of the clones of the male sterile plants did not differ much from that of the fertile clones.These results point to a possibility of propagating male sterile lines of cole crops by selfing or sib-mating them at low or high temperatures.