Cytoplasmic male sterility

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a natural genetic condition in plants where they cannot produce viable pollen, making them unable to fertilize themselves or others through pollen. This trait is inherited through mitochondria, the energy-producing parts of cells, not the plant's main DNA. CMS is useful in agriculture because it facilitates hybrid seed production without the need for manual pollen removal, ensuring uniformity and improved crop yields. It is often exploited in breeding programs to develop hybrid plants that have desirable traits such as higher productivity or disease resistance.