Chapter 7 - Anther culture for haploid plant production

Abstract

Haploid production from the anther or pollen culture is known as androgenesis. Haploid plants are the sporophytes that possess gametic chromosome number. Haploids have now become a valuable source for the screening of desired traits and mutation breeding. Among different methods of haploid production, in vitro anther and isolated microspore culture are the most effective and widely used. Doubled haploids (DHs) can be obtained by spontaneous or induced chromosome doubling of the haploids during anther culture. The haploid production is a very efficient technique, and the exploitation of haploid technology and the production of homozygous plants have had a significant impact on agricultural systems. The haploid and double haploid plants allow the production of completely homozygous plants in a single step; thus, they reduce the time of six to seven generations required for conventional breeding methods. The production of haploids through anther culture has now become an integral part of the breeding programs of several agronomically important plants. However, approximately 170 species have been studied so far for haploid production through anther culture. Thus, there is a need to exploit this technique to produce more economically important haploid plants. This chapter will thoroughly discuss the current status of haploid production, basic principles, recent advancement, and the use of haploids in crop improvement.