Author(s):

Diksha Tinna

Abstract: Large scale hybrid seed production in vegetables remains handicapped because of high labour cost or unavailability of trained labour for manual emasculation. Wide range of genetic mechanism such as male sterility, use of sex regulators, self- incompatibility and use of chemically induced male sterility eliminate the need for manual emasculation. The chemicals such as Maleic hydrazide, Gibberellins, Dalapon, Mendok, Ethephon etc. disrupts the normal pollen development inducing male sterility without affecting female functionality are known as male gametocides or chemical hybridizing agents. An ideal hybridizing chemical must selectively sterilize male gametes, economical, non- mutagenic, environmentally safe, easy and flexible in use and time of application. Gametocides result in disruption of meiosis and exine formation, abnormal growth of tapetum, delayed dehiscence of developed anthers or non- germination of pollen on stigma, which ultimately cause male sterility. Optimum environmental conditions, synchronous flowering in male and female parents and cross pollination is required to maximize the hybrid seed production. They had been successfully used in many vegetables such as <em>Coriander sativum, Abelmoschus esculentum, Allium cepa</em>, <em>Capsicum annuum </em>and various cruciferous plants. Although male gametocides have relatively larger application in cereal crops but their use in vegetables is yet to be commercialized.

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