Cytoplasmic male sterility in Beta vulgaris L., molecular-genetic mechanisms and application in hybrid breeding (review)

Relevance. In the context of the objectives of the Food Security Doctrine of the Russian Federation, breeding and seed production work to develop domestic heterotic hybrids of table beet (Beta vulgaris L. var. conditiva Alef.) is particularly relevant. This review is devoted to a comprehensive analysis of the cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) trait, both as a technological basis for hybrid breeding in general and as it manifests in Beta vulgaris L., including table beet.

Results. A number of biological features of the reproductive system and traits associated with CMS in table beet are examined. Attention is paid to the tissue-specific manifestation of CMS, associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in the cells of the tapetum the nutrient layer of developing pollen grains leading to impaired male reproductive function. CMS is characterized by maternal inheritance and is molecularly controlled by the interaction of the mitochondrial (determining the sterile phenotype) and nuclear (capable of restoring fertility) genomes. In red beet, the CMS trait is characterized by variability in the degree of pollen sterility. Specific changes in anther color (from pink to brown) and morphology (shrinkage, deformation) serve as informative markers for the visual assessment of sterile phenotypes. This review examines and characterizes the main CMS types in the species Beta vulgaris L. (Owen, G, E) at the molecular genetic level. Each type is associated with a unique structure of chimeric mitochondrial open reading frames (S-orf). Expression of these mitochondrial genes disrupts cellular energy metabolism. Fertility restoration occurs through the action of nuclear restorer genes (Rf), whose products likely suppress or neutralize the action of Sorf. The potential for using molecular markers tightly linked to mitochondrial CMS genes and nuclear Rf genes for marker-assisted selection (MAS) of sterile and fertile forms at the early stages of parental line development is discussed, significantly accelerating the process of producing commercial hybrids.

Conclusion. Deeper research into the molecular basis of CMS and the development of modern breeding technologies based on these studies will provide the scientific and technological foundation for the development of competitive beet vegetable production.

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