Male sterility in Indian mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Coss.) - a biochemical characterization.

Biochemical studies were conducted on some male sterile and their fertile F1 analogues in Indian mustard. The variation in pH activity during microsporogenesis was normal, except in MS-3. Male sterile anthers had deficient sugar metabolism. Cytochemical analysis of sporogenous and tapetal tissue suggested an effect of sterility elements on the anabolic and catabolic fate of DNA and protein during microsporogenesis. Leaves of male sterile lines had a higher chl a/b ratio. Leaf peroxidase activity was low and different isozymes appeared when separated by starch electrophoresis.