Compositions and methods for modulating male fertility in a plant are provided. Compositions comprise nucleotide sequences and active fragments and variants thereof which modulate male fertility. Further provided are expression cassettes comprising the male fertility polynucleotides or active fragments or variants thereof operably linked to a promoter wherein expression of the polynucleotides modulates the male fertility of a plant. Various methods are provided wherein the level and/or activity of th e sequences that influence male fertility is modulated in a plant or plant part. In certain embodiments the plant is polyploid.
