Mitochondrial genome diversity in connection with male sterility in Allium schoenoprasum L.

Mitochondrial genome diversity in chives (Allium schoenoprasum L.) was investigated with respect to different forms of male sterility. Cytoplasmic male-sterile (CMS) and restored genotypes of the known CMS system, compared to plants of the wi-, the st1- and the st2-sterility types and additional fertile plants of different origin were examined by means of RFLP analyses using mitochondrial gene probes. Besides the (S)-cytoplasm of the CMS system four additional cytoplasms were distinguished that differed in the organisation of their mitochondrial genomes. There is consequently a high degree of variability of the mitochondrial genome in chives, especially when compared with the closely related onion. A possible function of the atp9 gene in generating the different cytoplasm types of chives is discussed in relation to the origin of known CMS sequences in other plant species. The existence of different cytoplasm types offers the opportunity for further characterisation of the wi-, st1- and st2-sterility systems with respect to cytoplasmic factors which might be causally related to them. Whether these new sterilities are CMS or GMS (genic male sterilities) is of interest to plant breeders in order that restrictions on the genetic basis used in hybrid seed production be avoided. Received: 6 July 1999 / Accepted: 6 September 1999