Antisense gene systems of pollination control for hybrid seed production

摘要

A process is described for producing hybrid seed using male-sterile plants created by employing molecular techniques to manipulate antisense DNA and other genes that are capable of controlling the production of fertile pollen in plants. Transformation techniques are used to introduce constructs containing antisense DNA and other genes into plants. Said plants are functionally male-sterile and are useful for the production of hybrid seed by the crossing of said male-sterile plants with pollen from male-fertile plants. Hybrid seed production is simplified and improved by this invention and can be extended to plant crop species for which commercially acceptable hybrid seed production methods are not currently available.