The use of cytoplasmic male-sterility in hybrid seed production

The practical utilization of heterosis in crop plants has been greatly facilitated during the past 15 years by the use of cytoplasmic male|sterility for low-cost, large-scale emasculation of the seed parents of hybrids. The method is now being used in commercial production of hybrid onions, sugar beets, field corn, grain sorghum, and petunias. Its use is contemplated for hybrid sweet corn, pop corn, red table beets, fodder beets, fodder sorghum, pearl millet, carrots, and garden peppers.