Morphological and cytological study in a new type of cytoplasmic male-sterile line CMS-GIG2 in sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is essential for sunflower hybrid production. CMS-GIG2, a new sunflower CMS type, was further confirmed by crossing with the maintainer and restorer lines for the CMS-PET1, both of which maintain the male sterility of CMS-GIG2. Meiotic division in CMS-GIG2 was observed with 4'6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride staining, indicating that microspore formation was disrupted before the meiotic cytokinesis was completed. Light microscopy observation showed that both middle layer and tapetal cells expand radially rather than degrade over time, followed by failure to form tetrads and normal microspores. This morphological defect leading to male sterility in CMS-GIG2 differs from that observed in the PET1 CMS type. CMS-GIG2 will certainly provide additional genetic diversity for sunflower hybrid breeding programmes.