Development and characterization of “Ogura” based improved CMS lines of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.)

Abstract

For the first time, three Ogura based improved cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines of cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis L.) viz., Ogu1A, Ogu2A and Ogu3A were developed following seven generations of backcrossing with snowball group. These lines were evaluated and compared with their respective fertile maintainer (B) line for various agronomic traits like curd yield and size, floral traits like size of petals and style, shape of style and seed setting traits like number of seeds per pod and seed yield per plant. Nuclear-cytoplasmic interaction played an important role in determining various agronomic, floral and seed setting related traits. All the three CMS lines were similar with fertile maintainer lines for agronomic traits like days to curd maturity. The curd yield of Ogu1A and Ogu3A were similar with their respective maintainer lines. However, introgression of alien Ogura cytoplasm in the background of snowball cauliflower significantly reduced the petal size, filament length, style and stamen length. Number of pods per plant was significantly lower in all three CMS lines, when compared with their respective B lines. Number of seeds per pod and seed yield per plant in Ogu3A and its respective B line was at par but reduced significantly in Ogu1A and Ogu2A after introgression of Ogura cytoplasm.