Onion male sterile line ‘Wonye30003’ was developed by Bioenergy Crop Research Center, National Institute of Crop Science, RDA in South Korea in 2009. Cytoplasmic-genic male-sterility (CMS) system has been used to economically produce hybrid onion seed. The first cross for introduction of CMS was conducted in 2002. Male-sterile parents which were selected from ‘402AC203’ breeding lines were pollinated with male fertile line ‘M2’ (inbred line). The fertility test was conducted in 2004 and maintainer line ‘M2-10’ was used. The male-sterility rate of F1 population was 100% for subsequent four backcross generations. ‘Wonye30003’ was named ‘MMS26’ in 2008 and the corresponding male parent was called ‘MMSB26’. As an early maturing type, lodging date is arround May 6. ‘Wonye30003’ has round bulb and the average bulb weight is 300 g. Plant height and stem diameter are 72 cm and 20.6 mm, respectively. Number and the length of flower stalks per mother bulb are 4 and 115 cm, respectively. Flowering date is May 24 and flower bud size is 86 mm. This line can be used as a male sterile line for onion hybrid seed production and breeding program.
