Multiple choice

Which one of the following is the carrier of cytoplasmic male sterility factors in crop plants?

  1. Nuclear DNA

  2. RNA

  3. Chloroplast DNA

  4. Mitochondrial DNA
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D Correct answer
Explanation

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a maternally inherited trait where plants fail to produce functional pollen. The genetic factors responsible for CMS are located in the mitochondrial DNA, not nuclear DNA or chloroplast DNA. Mitochondrial rearrangements or novel chimeric genes interfere with normal pollen development, making this the basis for hybrid seed production in many crops.

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