We are glad to announce that Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute (RKMVERI) will be conducting a special colloquium on “Haploid inducer development in maize to produce haploid without daddy’s chromosomes” on 19 Apr 2024, 12 noon at Seminar Hall, Narendrapur Campus.

Speaker : Dr. Suman Dutta, Department of Genetics & Plant Breeding, RKMVERI
Co-ordinator: Prof. Abhijit Chakrabarti

Abstract

The development of homozygous parental lines is a pivotal aspect of commercial maize breeding programs. Traditionally, achieving homozygosity through the pedigree method involves multiple generations of selfing, typically spanning 6 to 7 cycles. However, the doubled haploid (DH) method revolutionizes this process by enabling the concurrent fixation of all genes across entire chromosomes within a single generation. In DH methodology, haploids are initially generated through various techniques, notably in-vitro tissue culture and in-vivo methods utilizing haploid inducer (HI) lines. While tissue culture-based approaches have been explored, they present logistical challenges for large-scale DH production due to infrastructural and technical demands. Conversely, the inducer-based method offers a more promising avenue for large-scale DH line production, owing to its efficiency and scalability. The rapidity of DH technology has spurred its adoption in numerous countries, including India, where it serves to streamline the breeding cycle. By circumventing the lengthy process of repeated selfing, DH methods significantly accelerate the development of homozygous lines, expediting the creation of elite hybrids. Furthermore, the ability to generate homozygous lines in a single generation enhances the precision and efficiency of breeding programs. With DH technology, breeders can more effectively harness genetic variation, facilitating the selection of desirable traits and the creation of hybrids tailored to specific agro-climatic conditions. Ultimately, the widespread adoption of DH methods heralds a paradigm shift in maize breeding, catalyzing advancements in agricultural productivity and food security on a global scale.