Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a result of conflict between which two genetic components?

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) arises from a genetic conflict primarily between mitochondria and nuclear genes. This phenomenon occurs when mutations in mitochondrial DNA lead to the production of proteins that disrupt the male reproductive structures in plants, resulting in sterility. The nuclear genome, which contains the majority of a plant's genetic information, can provide compensation for the mitochondrial defects, but sometimes it cannot fully overcome the negative effects of these mutations.

In many plant species, CMS is beneficial for hybrid production in agriculture, as it ensures that male gametes are not produced, thus preventing self-fertilization and promoting cross-pollination. This reliance on the interaction between the mitochondrial genes (which are inherited maternally) and the nuclear genes (inherited from both parents) exemplifies a unique conflict in plant reproductive strategies, highlighting the complex co-evolution that occurs between these two genetic systems.