Perspective and application of molecular markers linked to the cytoplasm types and male‐fertility restorer locus in onion (Allium cepa)

Abstract

AbstractThe male sterility trait is an economically essential feature for the exploitation of hybrid vigour in onions; hence, scientists have looked into the molecular component of male sterility in onions. As a result, numerous molecular markers associated with male‐sterile (CMS‐S and CMS‐T) cytoplasms, male‐fertile normal (N) cytoplasm and nuclear‐male‐fertility restorers (Ms locus) were developed. The discovered markers have proven to be helpful in the effective selection and isolation of male‐sterile lines, their maintainer lines and restorer‐of‐fertility lines. These lines are required for breeding F1 hybrid to harness heterosis through marker‐assisted selection (MAS) of cytoplasmic genotypes with Ms or ms loci. Thus, the study came up with a compilation of molecular markers, by revealing their molecular perspective, practical utility and functional effectiveness in the MAS of male‐sterile cytoplasm types with nuclear‐fertility‐restorer locus, to speed up onion breeding, development of F1 hybrids and production of pure hybrid seeds.