Progress in Doubled Haploid Technology in Higher Plants

Abstract

In the early 1990s, many basic protocols were developed for haploidy and doubled haploidy, but most were inefficient. During the last decade, progress in technology has been achieved mainly by empirical, time and cost consuming testing of protocols; as a consequence success was proportional to the number of laboratories involved. In the most frequently studied crops (barley, wheat, triticale, maize, rice and rapeseed) improved protocols are now used routinely in breeding and although several problems remain the benefits make doubled haploidy well worthwhile. Significant advances have also been achieved in vegetable, fruit, ornamental, woody and medicinal species, though responses in many remain low with legumes being particularly recal- citrant. There has been resurgence in doubled haploids over the last few years with protocols published for almost 200 plant species. The present review aims to show the recent progress in haploid and doubled haploid technology of higher plants.