Poaceae-specific MS1 encodes a phospholipid-binding protein for male fertility in bread wheat

Significance Heterosis provides an important strategy for increasing crop yield, and breeding and adoption of hybrid crops is a feasible way to increase crop yields. Male sterility is an essential trait in hybrid seed production for monoclinous crops, including wheat. Heterosis in wheat was observed approximately 100 y ago. However, very little commercial hybrid wheat is planted in the world because of the lack of a suitable male sterility trait. Therefore, understanding the molecular nature of male fertility in wheat is critical for hybrid wheat development. Here, we report the cloning and molecular, biochemical, and cell-biological characterizations of Male Sterility 1 ( Ms1 ) in bread wheat, and provide a foundation for large-scale commercial hybrid wheat breeding and hybrid seed production.