Automated sorting of haploids in maize

Abstract

With the growing need to produce high-yielding cultivars more rapidly than ever, breeders are forced to shorten their prolonged breeding programs. Doubled haploid breeding is a sure way to relieve the time constraints of commercialization by rapidly developing fully homozygous inbred lines in just two generations. The creation of doubled haploids consists of four general steps: (1) induction of female lines, (2) identification of haploids, (3) doubling of the haploid genome, and (4) self-pollination of doubled haploids. Haploid identification takes a lot of time and money to perform since present-day induced fields contain a lot of unwanted diploids, rather than the desired haploid kernels. Automated sorting holds great potential to further increase accuracy and effectiveness, and decrease major constraints such as labor, cost, and time. This creative component reviews the results of haploid sorting, including its sorting accuracy, and statistically shows the benefits of running a batch of seed twice through the QualySense Qsorter® Explorer. Large breeding groups that harvest large quantities of seed from induced fields will find automated haploid sorting a better option over manual sorting, rather than small breeding programs that may not find economic value. Automated sorting’s economic importance, functions, effectiveness, limitations, and niche markets are highlighted throughout the creative component. Together, with the future of doubled haploid advances, the full potential of automated sorting and DH technology will be realized.