Department of Crop Physiology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore-641 003, India.
An investigation was carried out to understand the biochemical mechanisms of male sterility in rice. The critical sterility temperature and critical stage of thermosensitivity of the selected TGMS (Thermosensitive Genie Male Sterile) line, TS 29 was studied using a Phytotron. Variations in the biochemical constituents were analyzed at Stage VII of panicle development ((Filling phase of pollen, floret and panicle reach full length and colour turns to green). High significant reductions in soluble proteins and free amino acids were recorded. The high temperature induced male sterility in TGMS line was associated with accumulation of total phenolics and proline. However a reverse of all the above responses was found in the TS 29 grown under fertility inducing low temperature and in the variety CO 46. The results revealed that some physiologically active compounds were produced which acted as signals or messengers in response to temperature leading to pollen abortion.
