Functional male sterility (ps-2) in tomato (Lycopesicon esculentum Mill.) and its application in breeding and hybrid seed production

Data and findings concerning the development of an effective male sterility system (as already applied in the practice of producing tomato hybrid seed) through the use of the positional sterility (ps 2) gene are reported. Undesirable selfing and the necessity of emasculation are discussed as the two main disadvantages that limit the use of ps 2-sterile seed parents in tomato hybrid seed production. The following specific characteristics in the performance of ps 2-lines were evaluated: 1) the percentage of selfing in the ps 2-lines varies within and between the years of growing, being forever lowest during the period of hybrid seed production; 2) the percentage of selfed seeds when using a ps 2-line as seed parent in producing hybrid seed is significantly lower than the percentage of selfing, observed on this same line; 3) the ps 2-gene expressivity varies depending on the genotype. This enables the breeding of ps 2-lines exhibiting very low percentage of selfing; 4) stamen emasculation at anthesis (as applied in ps 2-lines) is significantly easier and more rapid than emasculation in floral buds. The easy maintenance of the sterile lines – by artificial selfing it is possible to produce 100% ps 2 progeny – and the high yield of hybrid seed obtained are discussed as important advantages in using this type of sterility in tomato hybrid seed production. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.