| Abstract | The use of doubled haploidy is a powerful tool in crop improvement programs and basic research. A haploid embryo or plant has the gametic chromosome number (n). When haploid cells are doubled, the resulting embryo/plant will have the somatic chromosome number (2n) and be 100% homozygous. Doubled haploidy methodology is the quickest way to fix traits. Haploid/doubled haploid embryos and plants can be induced by four main methods that include wide crosses, in vitro culture of the male or the female gametes, and parthenogenesis. Doubled haploid protocols have been developed in over 300 species and commercial cultivars are available for those species that are highly responsive in culture. In addition to crop improvement, doubled haploids are useful for biochemical, physiological, and genomic studies as well as for the storage of germplasm. |
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