This expression of male sterility in peppers is dependent upon the interaction of a sterile cytoplasm (S) and a nuclear non-restorer gene (ms). The presence of the pollen restorer gene, Ms, or the normal cytoplasm (N) results in pollen fertility. Male sterility is indicated by (S) msms; fertility by (N) MsMs, (N) MsMs, (N) MsMs, (S) MsMs, or (S) Msms. The pollen restorer, Ms, is distributed among 6 bureau of Plant Introduction (BPI) accessions and 6 commercial varieties and ms is found among 2 BPI accessions and 4 commercial varieties. In one variety, a 2nd restorer gene was found. The pollen sterile expression is modified by genetic modifiers and temperature changes. High temperature accentuate the sterile expression. Seed set is reduced by one-half in fruit of sterile plants.