In Vitro Androgenesis for Accelerated Breeding in Rice

Abstract

In vitro androgenesis by culturing male gametophyte is the preferred route for obtaining haploids in rice. Androgenesis is used for the production of haploids through anther/microspore culture, and further the developed haploids are converted to doubled haploids by spontaneous diploidization of chromosome number during tissue culture phase. Anther culture for the production of haploids in rice is being practised since the 1980s, and it has been well integrated into japonica rice breeding programmes. But it has not been exploited, to its full potential, in indica rice breeding, mainly due to its recalcitrant nature. Haploid plants are used in traditional plant breeding, plant biotechnology and molecular genetics for accelerated breeding thereby increasing the crop yield. Production of doubled haploid plants in breeding programmes shortens the period for development of new variety. There is a need for improving anther culture success for haploid production in indica rice. This chapter is focused on anther and microspore culture in rice, factors affecting anther culture, QTLs for anther culturability and applied aspect of doubled haploids in rice.