A Genetically Pure Plant From A Single Haploid Cell
In plant breeding, adding desirable traits to stable varieties is very labour-intensive and time-consuming, especially in slow-growing varieties. Techniques that can speed up this process are highly desirable. Reproductive cells, gametes, contain only half of the genetic material of the parent plant and are therefore extremely attractive material for making new plants with a pure genetic background.
Fytagoras has developed into a specialist in doubled haploid technology over the years, producing homozygous plants for breeding companies as a service. The success of this approach has already been demonstrated in a wide range of crops and varieties.
Watch “Doubled Haploids” movie
Benefits of Doubled Haploids in Your Breeding Programme
- Production of 100% homozygous parent lines
- Uniform parents for hybrid seed production (F1)
- Uniform offspring
- Accelerate breeding programmes (varieties can be introduced to the market more quickly)
- Quicker anticipation to customer requests
- Selection of lethal genes in just one step
- Identification of recessive mutants
- Realisation of stable populations for genetic studies
Project Watermelon Doubled Haploids
Fytagoras wants to start a project aiming at development of protocol for watermelon doubled haploids. Like other Cucurbits, watermelon is known to be recalcitrant in doubled haploid technology. Initiatives of Fytagoras in previous years have proven that also for recalcitrant crops successful protocols can be developed; in that respect the realization of a protocol for doubled haploid tomato plants can be considered as a nice example. Experiences learnt that it may take several years before a practical and applicable protocol is available, so clear commitment of participating partners is needed. Given current insights and expertise, Fytagoras expects that there is a fair chance to develop a successful protocol for watermelon.
