Plant & Animal Genome IX Conference

Workshop: Forest Tree Genome Mapping
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CYTOPLASMIC MALE STERILITY RESULTING FROM INTERSPECIFIC CROSSES IN CHESTNUT (CASTANEA SPP.)

¹ The American Chestnut Foundation Research Farms, 14005 Glenbrook Ave., Meadowview, VA 24361

² Southern Institute of Forest Genetics, USDA Forest Service, 23332 Highway 67, Saucier, MS 39574

Cytoplasmic male sterility results from crossing American chestnut (Castanea dentata) as female with Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima ) as male. All F₁ offspring are male-sterile, and the sterility is inherited in subsequent generations as dominant Mendelian factors. The reciprocal cross (Chinese x American) produces male-fertile offspring. The dominant, nuclear male-sterility genes from the Chinese chestnut were mapped in progenies from two different F₁ crosses. Dominant sterility genes are unusual in the many cytoplasmic male sterility systems found in plants. The utility of the system for breeding chestnuts will be discussed.