Controlling the release of pollen from genetically modified maize and increasing its grain yield by growing mixtures of male-sterile and male-fertile plants

There is public concern about the consequences of pollen dispersal from genetically modified ( GM) crops. The release of viable pollen from GM maize can be controlled by growing mixtures of cytoplasmic male-sterile plants and male-fertile non-transformed pollinator plants. Our experiments indicate that such associations can bring about grain yields as high or even higher than those produced by pure male-fertile maize crops, especially when the male-sterile component is pollinated non-isogenically. The grain yield benefits from cytoplasmic male sterility and xenia as well as the fact that seed of male-sterile varieties can be produced cheaply and reliably in large quantities would facilitate the implementation of the proposed system in agricultural practice.