Genes for cytoplasmic male sterility in plants are generally located in -

Genes for cytoplasmic male sterility in plants are generally located in -
A Nuclear genome
B Chloroplast genome
C Cytosol
D Mitochondrial genome

Detailed Solution

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a condition in which the plant fails to produce functional pollen, while the female parts remain normal.
It is inherited only through the female parent (maternal inheritance), which shows that the responsible genes are outside the nucleus.
The genes responsible are located in the mitochondrial genome; rearrangements in mitochondrial DNA produce abnormal proteins that disturb pollen development.
CMS is very useful in hybrid seed production (for example in maize, sorghum and rice), because it avoids the laborious emasculation of flowers.
Nuclear 'restorer of fertility' genes can restore pollen production in the hybrid.
So the genes for cytoplasmic male sterility are generally located in the mitochondrial genome.

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