Chemical Induction of Male Sterility in Rice*

The investigation aimed at studying the usefulness of ethrel as a selective gametocide in rice was carried out in three high yielding varieties under pot culture and field conditions. The results indicated that a spray of 6000-8000 ppm of ethrel one week earlier to boot leaf stage or two sprays with 4000-6000 ppm, one week earlier to boot leaf stage and the other at boot leaf stage was very effective in inducing as much as 90 per cent pollen sterility. For successful use of ethrel in commercial hybrid seed programme of self-pollinated crops the urgent need for research efforts towards the development of efficient treatment techniques that would ensure total but selective pollen sterility, has been discussed.