Doubled Haploidy Research for Saskatchewan Crops

Doubled haploidy methodology is commonly used in many agronomically important crops to speed the development of new cultivars. There are a number of advantages in using haploidy technology in both practical application (varietal development, mutagenesis, transformation) and basic research (genomics, biochemical, and physiological studies). Haploid plants are commonly produced using one of four methods: culture of anthers or microspores (androgenesis), culture of unfertilized ovules (gynogenesis), interspecific or intergeneric crosses followed by chromosome elimination, and by pollination with irradiated pollen. The most efficient method depends on the species. There are a number of factors affecting microspore embryogenesis including genotype, donor plant growth conditions, stage of microspore development, composition of the culture medium, and environmental conditions during culture. The frequency of embryo production will depend on whether or not these conditions are optimal and varies depending on the species. For the past 20 years, the National Research Council – Plant Biotechnology Institute has been developing doubled haploidy protocols in a number of different species. We have also been utilizing these protocols in basic and applied research.