Abstract: Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) and its restoration are a main pollination control system for hybrid seed production in the application of heterosis. The development of elite fertility restorer lines is essential for selecting a hybrid combination with high heterosis. In recent years, mapping and identification of molecular markers associated with fertility restorer genes have gained much attention for efficiency of restorer selection as well as understanding the restorer gene function. This paper reviews the progress in the molecular mapping and development of molecular markers for CMS restoration genes in agronomically important crops, including rice, wheat, rapeseed, cotton and maize. The prospects of fine mapping and marker identification of fertility restorer genes for gene cloning and marker-assisted selection in molecular breeding of hybrids are discussed.