Genic male sterility in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) and pepper (Capsicum annuum) and its application in breeding and hybrid seed production

Different types of genic male sterility (sporogenous, structural and functinal) in tomato and pepper are overviewed. The long years experience of the authors in dealing with this phenomenon in breeding and hybrid seed production are also presented. It is noted that the availability of tomato and pepper hybrids possessing male sterile seed parent is a fact not to be neglected. It confirms that the use of male sterility is the right, or at least one of the right ways for facilitating hybrid seed production within these two economically important vegetables.