Use of the Dominant Male-Sterility Gene (Ms4) in Cotton Breeding

The dominant male sterility gene (Ms₄) has shown to be a useful tool in order to facilitate large scale cross pollination in cotton improvement programs.  The fertile (ms₄ms₄) genotype is ubiquitous in cotton germplasm.  Progeny resulting from crossing a fertile (ms₄ms₄) genotype to a male sterile (Ms₄ms₄) plant segregates 50% male sterile and 50% male fertile.  This presentation will describe the genetics of Ms₄, and how it has been easily used in developing diverse populations while concentrating desired traits.