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Dioecy, the presence of male and female individuals, has evolved independently in multiple flowering plant lineages^{, –}. Although theoretical models for the evolution of dioecy, such as the ‘two-mutations’ model, are well established^,, little is known about the specific genes determining sex and their evolutionary history. Kiwifruit, a major tree crop consumed worldwide, is a dioecious species. In kiwifruit we previously identified a Y-encoded sex-determinant candidate gene acting as the suppressor of feminization (SuF), named Shy Girl (SyGI). Here, we identify a second Y-encoded sex-determinant that we named Friendly Boy (FrBy), which exhibits strong expression in tapetal cells. Gene-editing and complementation analyses in Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana tabacum indicated that FrBy acts for the maintenance of male (M) functions, independently of SyGI, and that these functions are conserved across …