[A study of genetic stability of male sterile mutant of maize obtained from space flighted seeds].

OBJECTIVE: To select a male sterile mutant of maize through space flight for production application. METHOD: Air dried seeds of maize (Chuan Dan No. 9) were carried to space for 15 d. After returned to the earth, a male sterile mutant was selected and a sterile line was obtained through direction breeding. RESULT: It was found that the sterile material was thoroughly abortive. The sterile was trail stable and expressed a genetic feature of single recessive gene controlled nucleus sterility. CONCLUSION: The appearance of male sterile mutant was due to gene mutation caused by space conditions.