Scope of double haploid production for inbred development in tropical maize
Author: Swapan K. Tripathy, Sambit Patra, Jayashree Kar
Category: Review Article
Abstract:
Maize is a predominantly cross-pollinated crop. Maximum exploitation of yield potential can be achieved by harnessing heterosis through hybrid development. Inbred development for the purpose requires a lot of time. However, inherent mechanisms do exist in temperate maize for parthenogenetic development of haploid embryos in the seed parent due to the influence of haploid inducer gene(s) in the pollen. In contrast, the tropical maize neither has such haploid inducer gene(s) for gynogenic haploid induction nor responds better to in vitro androgenesis (anther culture). Introgression of haploid induction to tropical maize can open up avenues for gynogenic haploid production. In addition, the resulting introgressed haploid inducer lines may be amenable for in vitro anther culture for production of haploids and follow-up recovery of double haploids by colchicines treatment.
Keywords: double haploids, haploid inducers, in vivo gynogenesis, in vitro androgenesis, maize (Zea mays L.)
