Applications and Uses of Haploids

Abstract

AbstractThe use of doubled haploidy has a great impact on plant breeding programs throughout the world especially to achieve food security on sustainable basis, which is a serious concern not only to developing countries but also to developed nations. There is a sharp increase in in-vitro studies to improve DH production and methodology/protocol (Table 5.1). Germana (2011) reported that 50 % of the barley cultivars currently grown in Europe have been developed by means of DH technologies. According to Faostat (2010), Canada is world’s 2nd biggest wheat exporter after USA, producing around 23 metric tons wheat every year. In Canada, wheat has been classified into nine different classes, out of which Canada Western Red Spring (CWRS) is the biggest class. It has been reported that during 2007, 3 out of 5 most grown cultivars of CWRS were developed through doubled haploid technology. Furthermore, cultivar “AC Andrew” is being grown on an area of 99 % under Canada Western Soft White Spring (CWSWS) class and it was also developed via anther culture (Dunwell 2010). Mapping populations are also being developed through DH that offers great potential for genetic studies, molecular analysis, and to map DNA markers. It was estimated that around 290 cultivars grown in various parts of the world during 2005 were developed through DH techniques (http://www.scri.ac.uk/assoc/COST851/DHTable2005.xls). Emerging uses of DH technology in plant breeding and crop improvement programs have been discussed as follows.KeywordsSomatic EmbryoFusarium Head BlightErucic AcidAnther CultureMethane Sulfonic AcidThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.