Accelerating haploid induction rate and haploid validation through marker-assisted selection for qhir1 and qhir8 in maize

• Published in: Frontiers in plant science Vol. 15; p. 1337463
• Main Authors: Khammona, Kanogporn, Dermail, Abil, Suriharn, Khundej, Lübberstedt, Thomas, Wanchana, Samart, Thunnom, Burin, Poncheewin, Wasin, Toojinda, Theerayut, Ruanjaichon, Vinitchan, Arikit, Siwaret
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland Frontiers Media S.A 05.03.2024
• Subjects: doubled haploid; haploid identification; haploid induction; hybrid breeding; molecular assay; Plant Science; hybrid breeding; haploid identification; doubled haploid; molecular assay; haploid induction
• ISSN: 1664-462X; 1664-462X
• DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1337463

Doubled haploid (DH) technology becomes more routinely applied in maize hybrid breeding. However, some issues in haploid induction and identification persist, requiring resolution to optimize DH production. Our objective was to implement simultaneous marker-assisted selection (MAS) for ( ) and ( ) using TaqMan assay in F generation of four BHI306-derived tropical × temperate inducer families. We also aimed to assess their haploid induction rate (HIR) in the F generation as a phenotypic response to MAS. We highlighted remarkable increases in HIR of each inducer family. Genotypes carrying and exhibited 1 - 3-fold higher haploid frequency than those carrying only . Additionally, the marker was employed for verifying putative haploid seedlings at 7 days after planting. Flow cytometric analysis served as the gold standard test to assess the accuracy of the and the marker. The marker showed high accuracy and may be integrated in multiple haploid identifications at early seedling stage succeeding pre-haploid sorting via marker.