Which of the following statements is TRUE about T cytoplasm?

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (C) It induces male sterility in maize.

Explanation:
• T-cytoplasm (Texas-type Cytoplasmic Male Sterility or CMS-T) is a specific type of mitochondrial genome in maize that causes the plant to fail to produce functional pollen.
• It was widely used in the 1950s and 60s to produce hybrid maize seeds without the need for manual detasseling (removing male flowers).
• It became famous due to the Southern Corn Leaf Blight (SCLB) epidemic in 1970 in the USA, as the T-cytoplasm was found to be highly susceptible to the fungus $Bipolaris$ $maydis$ race T.

Information Booster:
• Cytoplasmic male sterility is a tool used by plant breeders to facilitate cross-pollination in hybrid seed production.
• After the 1970 disaster, the industry shifted to other types like C and S cytoplasm or returned to mechanical detasseling.

Additional Knowledge:
• Male Sterility (Option A/B): Sunflower uses PET1 (French) cytoplasm; Soybeans use different genetic systems, not typically T-cytoplasm.
• Self-incompatibility (Option D): This is a different genetic mechanism (usually S-alleles) to prevent self-fertilization, common in Brassicas but not the role of T-cytoplasm in maize.