Identification of CMS-S male-sterile cytoplasm among the bunching onion (Allium fistulosum L.) collections

The bunching onion (Allium fistulosum L.) species collections were assessed for identification of male-sterile trait among the germplasm, as a resultant identified a male sterile line, phenotypically and which was confirmed by the orf725 gene and orf501 gene-specific markers conferred linkage for male sterility cytoplasm of S and normal (N) cytoplasm. The manifestation of the male-sterile trait in bunching onion genotypes could be attributed to the ms genes expression. Phenotypically male-sterile plants produce flowers, does produce pollen grains which were lacking in the anthers. The anthers are slightly green at an immature stage, and yellowish trans-lucent at the mature stage, without pollen grains spores inside the anther sac, matured anthers were shrivelled, empty and fused anther sacs. Soon, the male-sterile line will be used as parental material in hybridization for heterosis breeding to boost bunching onion.