Biotechnology Bulletin ›› 2026, Vol. 42 ›› Issue (9): 29-41.doi: 10.13560/j.cnki.biotech.bull.1985.2026-0390

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Research Progress on Cytoplasmic Male Sterility and Fertility Restoration in Rice

LIU Yang1, Xu Zuo-peng1,2(), ZHANG Hong-gen1, Liu Qiao-quan1, Tang Shu-zhu1   

  1. 1.College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University/Key Laboratory of Plant Functional Genomics of the Ministry of Education/Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Crop Genomics and Molecular Breeding/Zhongshan Biological Breeding Laboratory, Yangzhou 225009
    2.Yangzhou Modern Seed Innovation Institute, Gaoyou 225600
  • Received:2026-04-08 Online:2026-09-26 Published:2026-09-16
  • Contact: Xu Zuo-peng E-mail:xuzplinyi@yzu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a type of male sterility governed by the interaction between cytoplasmic and nuclear genes. Male sterile rice plants possess normal female organs and can set seeds by accepting foreign pollens, a trait that eliminates the need for artificial emasculation and thus enables efficient and convenient hybrid seed production. To date, several CMS types have been utilized in rice production. With advances in genomics and gene editing technologies, multiple CMS-associated genes and fertility restorer genes have been identified or cloned. This review mainly summarizes research progress in the following areas: types and utilization status of male sterile cytoplasms in rice, strategies for identification and validation of male sterility genes, the mechanisms underlying male sterility, as well as mapping and restoration mechanisms of fertility restorer genes for different sterile cytoplasms. Perspectives are also proposed on standardizing the nomenclature, deepening the application of mitochondrial editing technologies, elucidating the molecular mechanisms of cytoplasmic male sterility and fertility restoration, and paying attention to minor-effect restorer genes. This review aims to serve as a reference for basic research and breeding applications of cytoplasmic male sterility and fertility restoration in rice.

Key words: rice, cytoplasmic male sterility, fertility restoration, harnessing heterosis