Potentially a new subtype of the cytoplasmic male sterility S- type in maize

In gene-bank maize collection of Maize Research Institute Zemun Polje (MRI) two samples with untypical mtDNA profile for cytoplasmic male sterility (cms) were identified. These two samples showed typical multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) band for cms-S, but also an additional band of unknown nature. It is assumed that the additional band is the result of a rearrangement of the two mitochondrial episomes characteristic for the cms-S in maize or a duplication of the part of cms-S mitochondrial genome. Additional field and laboratory experiments are necessary in the further lightening of this phenomenon. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR31028]