An indica source of male sterile cytoplasm and its fertility restoration for hybrid rice breeding

The search for alternate sources of sterile cytoplasm in hybrid rice breeding is a priority because more than 90% of the rice hybrids released throughout the world are based on a single sterile cytoplasm-wild abortive (WA). Because of the very narrow genetic base provided by the single cytoplasmic source, hybrids carrying this cytoplasm can become vulnerable to pests and diseases found associated with it.