Haploids can be induced in knockout mutants of OsPLA1,but not OsDMP3 or OsDMP6,in rice

Doubled haploid(DH)technology is an important tool in crop breeding because it can significantly accelerate the breeding process.ZmPLA1/MATL/NLD and ZmDMP are two key genes controlling haploid induction(HI)in maize,exhibiting a synergistic effect.However,it is unknown whether knock out of ZmDMP orthologs can stimulate HI in rice.In this study,a ZmPLA1 ortholog(OsPLA1)and two ZmDMP orthologs(OsDMP3 and OsDMP6)were identified in rice.All three genes encode plasma membrane-localized proteins and were highly expressed in mature anthers.Knockout of OsPLA1 in both Minghui 63 and Nipponbare resulted in reduced seed setting rate(SSR)and caused HI.The osdmp3,osdmp6 and the double mutant failed to trigger HI independently,nor increased the haploid induction rate(HIR)when combined with ospla1.Repeated pollinations operations of QX654A with the ospla1 mutant significantly improve SSR,while reducing HIR.RNA-seq profiling of mature ospla1 mutant anthers indicated that a large number of differentially expressed genes(DEGs)were enriched in redox homeostasis and lipid metabolic GO terms,plant hormone signal transduction,and MAPK signaling pathways.These findings provide important insights towards construction of an efficient DH breeding technology and study of the molecular mechanism of HI in rice.

Elite,transformable haploid inducers in maize

The introduction of alleles into commercial crop breeding pipelines is both time consuming and costly.Two technologies that are disrupting traditional breeding processes are doubled haploid(DH)breeding and genome editing(GE).Recently,these techniques were combined into a GE trait delivery system called HI-Edit(Haploid Inducer-Edit).In HI-Edit,the pollen of a haploid inducer line is reprogrammed to deliver GE traits to any variety,obviating recurrent selection.For HI-Edit to operate at scale,an efficient transformable HI line is needed,but most maize varieties are recalcitrant to transformation,and haploid inducers are especially difficult to transform given their aberrant reproductive behaviors.Leveraging marker assisted selection and a three-tiered testing scheme,we report the development of new Iodent and Stiff Stalk maize germplasm that are transformable,have high haploid induction rates,and exhibit a robust,genetically-dominant anthocyanin native trait that may be used for rapid haploid identification.We show that transformation of these elite‘‘HI-Edit”lines is enhanced using the BABYBOOM and WUSCHEL morphogenetic factors.Finally,we evaluate the HI-Edit performance of one of the lines against both Stiff Stalk and non-Stiff Stalk testers.The strategy and results of this study should facilitate the development of commercially scalable HI-Edit systems in diverse crops.

Research and Breeding Application Progress of the Technique of Producing Double Haploid of Wheat by Wide Hybridization between Wheat and Maize

The technique of producing doublehaploid of wheat by distant hybridization between wheat and maize has characterized with better inducing effect, shorter in- ducing period, easy operation, and so on. At present, it is the most efficient and has great potential of application in breeding of wheat. This article reviewed princi- ple and production process of the technique, research situation of the three key in- dicators of the technology（embryo rate, seedling rate and success rate of doubling）in recent years, and application of the technology in breeding, genetics, germplasm improvement of wheat. At last, both the achievements and the direction of further improvement and development of the technology in our program were discussed.

Doubling Efficiency of Maize Haploids Treated with Different Methods

Haploid seedlings were inducted from different maize materials.At 2-3-leaf stage,maize haploids were treated with 0.06% colchicine and 2.0% dimethyl sulfoxide（DMSO） by dipping root,dripping heart leaf and acupuncturing growing point,respectively.The doubling rate and mortality rate in different treatments were analyzed by variance analysis and multiple comparisons.The result showed that growing point acupuncturing method exhibited the highest doubling efficiency with an average doubling rate of 23%,seed-setting rate of 21.4%,and mortality rate of 16.3%.Composed with other two chemical doubling methods,growing point acupuncturing method significantly improved the doubling rate of maize haploids with a lower application dose of colchicine.This study laid the foundation for industrial application of haploid breeding techniques.

Study on High-Eefficient Breeding Technology Platform of Dwarf Male-Sterile Wheat

[Purpose] The paper is to discuss the high-efficient breeding technology platform of dwarf male-sterile wheat.[Method] Conclusion was made upon the development of the creation and application of dwarf male-sterile wheat,and the conception of introducing haploid breeding technology into the technological system of high-efficient breeding of dwarf male-sterile wheat was proposed.[Result] Dwarf male-sterile wheat not only retains the properties of total male abortion of Taigu Genetic Sterile Wheat,steady sterility,and high hybrid rate after open pollination,but also has the characteristic of high dwarfing ability of Aibian No.1,becoming a comparatively ideal population modification means.At present,the application of dwarf male-sterile wheat mainly includes germplasm resources platform of population modification by using dwarf male-sterile wheat,technology platform of constructing new high-efficient breeding system by using dwarf male-sterile wheat,and production platform of using dwarf male-sterile wheat to breed new varieties.Through the introduction of haploid breeding into the already established wheat high-efficient breeding system,a new system of high-efficient biological breeding technology of dwarf male-sterile wheat was constructed theoretically.[Conclusion] The study provides references to the further study and application of dwarf male-sterile wheat.

Study on Haploid Induction in Different Maize Genotypes

This study aimed to investigate the induction effect on different genotypes of maize of haploid inducers RWS, Stock6, CAU Inducer and hybridization-derived breeding lines. The results showed that 2005 had the highest induction rate （2.85%） when using inducer Stock6 as male parent material; haploid induction rates were significantly different among different genotypes of maize when using RWS, Stock6, CAU Inducer and their crossbreeding materials as the male parents; inducers 2061, 2062, 2058 and 2059 led to relatively high induction rates, which could be emphatically utilized. Furthermore, during the screening of induction materials, different female parent materials should be selected based on the breeding objective.

Methods for Producing Maize(Zea mays L.) Haploids and Their Application in Maize Breeding

This article summarizes the research progress inthe breeding of maize haploids, including the production and identification of maize haploids, especially the methods to produce doubled haploids and the selection of basic materials, as well as the applications of the maize haploids in maize breeding. Finally, this article pro- poses several issues researchers should pay attention to, and the prospects of hap- Ioids in maize breeding.

Genetic Analysis of Embryo Production Frequency in Wheat × Maize Cross

A DH population derived from C49S-87/01Y1-1069 was used to study the inheritance of wheat haploid embryo production frequency（EPF） in wheat × maize cross with the mixed major gene and polygene inheritance model of quantitative traits. The results showed that the EPF of wheat × maize cross was controlled by two dominant epistatic genes and polygene with gene effects of 1.95 for the first major gene, 6.69 for the second one and 2.80 for the polygene. The inheritability of major genes was as high as 72.09%, suggesting that the differences in EPF among wheat materials were mainly influenced by genotype. However, non-genetic factors were still important, especially for wheat materials with low EPF.

The Ploidy of Yeast and Its Identification Method

[Objective] The aim was to indentify haploid and diploid yeast.[Method] The characteristics of haploid and diploid yeast and their relation were analyzed firstly,and then haploid and diploid yeast were indentified through the methylene blue staining,safranine staining of ascospore and special low temperature treatment test.[Result] After methylene blue staining,the differences of haploid and diploid yeast in activity and size could be observed clearly;the ascospores of diploid strains after sporulating became red after safranine staining,and diploid thalluses were blue,while there were only blue thalluses for haploid strains;after special low temperature treatment,the colony of diploid was obviously larger than that of haploid on the plate.[Conclusion] Haploid and diploid yeast had great differences in morphology,heredity and physiology and could be identified well by means of aided test.

Mapping QTLs with epistatic effects and QTL×environment interactions for plant height using a doubled haploid population in cultivated wheat

Quantitative trait loci （QTLs） for plant height in wheat （Triticum aestivum L.） were studied using a set of 168 doubled haploid （DH） lines, which were derived from the cross Huapei 3/Yumai 57. A genetic linkage map was constructed using 283 SSR and 22 EST-SSR markers. The DH population and the parents were evaluated for wheat plant height in 2005 and 2006 in Tai＇an and 2006 in Suzhou. QTL analyses were performed using the software of QTLNetwork version 2.0 based on the mixed linear model. Four additive QTLs and five pairs of epistatic effects were detected, which were distributed on chromosomes 3A, 4B, 4D, 5A, 6A, 7B, and 7D. Among them, three additive QTLs and three pairs of epistatic QTLs showed QTL×environment interactions （QEs）. Two major QTLs, Qph4B and Qph4D, which accounted for 14.51% and 20.22% of the phenotypic variation, were located similar to the reported locations of the dwarfing genes Rhtl and Rht2, respectively. The Qph3A-2 with additive effect was not reported in previous linkage mapping studies. The total QTL effects detected for the plant height explained 85.04% of the phenotypic variation, with additive effects 46.07%, epistatic effects 19.89%, and QEs 19.09%. The results showed that both additive effects and epistatic effects were important genetic bases of wheat plant height, which were subjected to environmental modifications, and caused dramatic changes in phenotypic effects. The information obtained in this study will be useful for manipulating the QTLs for wheat plant height by molecular marker-assisted selection （MAS）.

In-vitro Androgenesis in Rice： Advantages, Constraints and Future Prospects

In vitro androgenesis is an important component of plant biotechnology when the pollen grains are forced to switch from their normal pollen developmental pathway towards an embryogenic route. Haploid and doubled haploid produced through androgenesis have long been recognized as a valuable tool in plant breeding as it can shorten the breeding cycle, fix agronomic characters in homozygous state and enhance the selection efficiency of useful recessive agronomic traits. Recently, doubled haploids have been largely recognized as an important component of crop improvement through genome mapping, quantitative trait locus analysis, and genetic mutation, and as targets for genetic transformation programs. Thus, this review is focused mainly on various facets of doubled haploid in the chief staple food crop rice and sights its recent applications in plant breeding, genetics and genomics.

Phenotypic Expression of Whitebacked Planthopper Resistance in the Newly Established japonica/indica Doubled Haploid Rice Population

A new doubled haploid (DH) rice population was established from a cross between WBPH-resistant japonica Chunjiang 06 (CJ-06) and susceptible indica TN1. Sucking inhibitory and ovicidal resistance of the DH rice lines were evaluated on the basis of non-preference response of WBPH immigrants and honeydew excretion by WBPH females, and appearance of watery lesions in the necrotic discoloration of leaf sheaths ovipositied by WBPH,respectively. Both the major gene resistance to WBPH, sucking inhibitory and ovicidal resistance, showed 1 (resistant): 1 (susceptible) segregation ratio in the DH population. Relative density of WBPH populations and damage scores in the DH population indicated combined functions of both the major resistance genes as well as QTLs affecting the host plant response to WBPH infestations. Thus, the newly developed CJ-06/TN1 DH population could be a useful material to analyze major genes and QTLs for WBPH resistance in japonica rice.

QTL analysis of flag leaf in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) for morphological traits and chlorophyll content

To understand genetic patterns of the morphological and physiological traits in flag leaf of barley, a double haploid （DH） population derived from the parents Yerong and Franklin was used to determine quantitative trait loci （QTL） controlling length, width, length/width, and chlorophyll content of flag leaves. A total of 9 QTLs showing significantly additive effect were detected in 8 intervals on 5 chromosomes. The variation of individual QTL ranged from 1.9% to 20.2%. For chlorophyll content expressed as SPAD value, 4 QTLs were identified on chromosomes 2H, 3H and 6H; for leaf length and width, 2 QTLs located on chromosomes 5H and 7H, and 2 QTLs located on chromosome 5H were detected; and for length/width, I QTL was detected on chromosome 7H. The identification of these QTLs associated with the properties of flag leaf is useful for barley improvement in breeding programs.

Development of high-oil maize haploid inducer with a novel phenotyping strategy

Doubled haploid(DH) technology is important in modern maize breeding. Haploid inducers determine the efficiency of both haploid induction and identification. It has taken decades to improve the efficiency,haploid induction rate(HIR), from the ~2% of the ancestor haploid inducer, stock6, to the ~10% of modern haploid inducers. Improvement of kernel oil content(KOC) would further enhance haploid identification efficiency. Using molecular marker-assisted selection, in combine with the number of haploids per ear as phenotypic criterion, we developed a new high-oil haploid inducer line, CHOI4, with a mean HIR of 15.8%and mean KOC of 11%. High KOC of CHOI4 can achieve a mean accuracy greater than 90% in identification of haploids of different backgrounds, with reduced false discovery rates and false negative rates in comparison with the previous high-oil haploid inducer line, CHOI3. Comparison of phenotypic selection strategies suggested that the number of haploids per ear can be used as a phenotyping criterion during haploid inducer line development. CHOI4 could further increase the efficiency of large-scale DH breeding programs with lower cost.

Weighted Correlation Network Analysis(WGCNA) of Japanese Flounder(Paralichthys olivaceus) Embryo Transcriptome Provides Crucial Gene Sets for Understanding Haploid Syndrome and Rescue by Diploidization

Artificial gynogenesis is of great research value in fish genetics and breeding technology. However, existing studies did not explain the mechanism of some interesting phenomena. Severe developmental defects in gynogenetic haploids can lead to death during hatching. After diploidization of chromosomes, gynogenetic diploids may dispense from the remarkable malformation and restore the viability, although the development time is longer and the survival rate is lower compared with normal diploids. The aim of this study was to reveal key mechanism in haploid syndrome of Japanese flounder, a commercially important marine teleost in East Asia. We measured genome-scale gene expression of flounder haploid, gynogenetic diploid and normal diploid embryos using RNA-Seq, constructed a module-centric co-expression network based on weighted correlation network analysis(WGCNA) and analyzed the biological functions of correlated modules. Module gene content analysis revealed that the formation of gynogenetic haploids was closely related to the abnormality of plasma proteins, and the up-regulation of p53 signaling pathway might rescue gynogenetic embryos from haploid syndrome via regulating cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and DNA repair. Moreover, normal diploid has more robust nervous system. This work provides novel insights into molecular mechanisms in haploid syndrome and the rescue process by gynogenetic diploidization.

Differential Expression of Whitebacked Planthopper Resistance in the japonica/indica Doubled Haploid Rice Population under Field Evaluation and Seedbox Screening Test

Whitebacked planthopper (WBPH) -resistance in a japonica / indica doubled haploid (DH) rice population established from a cross between WBPH-resistant japonica Chun]iang 06 and susceptible indica TN1, was comparatively evaluated through a field experiment based on the WBPH immigrant density and standardized seedbox screening test (SSST). All the susceptible DH lines in the field experiment behaved accordingly in SSST. However, 35 of resistant 66 lines (53%) in the field, were categorized to susceptible groups in SSST. Likewise, there were no significant differences in WBPH immigrant densities among 70 DH lines that were highly resistant to susceptible in SSST. The results revealed that SSST could not evaluate properly WBPH resistance in the DH lines. Four QTLs for WBPH-resistance phenotyped by the immigrant density were detected on chromosomes 2, 3, 4, and 11. Of them, the QTL on chromosome 4 was the most effective (LOD 21.8, variance 78%). Five QTLs associated with seedling mortality were mapped on chromosomes 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. In addition to the QTL (LOD 10.5, variance 68%) on chromosome 4, there was another major QTL (LOD 12.7, variance 71%) located on chromosome 5, which was SSST-specific but might be irrespective of the WBPH resistance traits.

Haploid Induction via In vitro Gynogenesis in Tomato(Solanum lycopersicum L.)

In order to determine the potential for haploid induction via in vitro gynogenesis in tomato, the ovules and protoplasts of embryo sacs from the hybrids Zhongza 101 and Zhongza 105 were cultured. An efficient method of ovule isolation was established in this study. Using this method, 100-150 ovules could be isolated from one ovary. Isolated ovules were cultured on three induction media to induce gynogenesis in vitro. During culture, ovules were enlarged markedly, with opaque white color. When observed microscopically, there were cell divisions and cell clumps in embryo sacs. Subsequently, the cell clumps in embryo sacs ceased growth, likely because the integument grew faster than embryo sacs did and hindered the fiarther development of embryo sacs. Therefore, subsequent callus morphogenesis might be originated from the integument. Thousands ofcalli from the two tomato varieties were obtained. Five diploid plants were regenerated after 15 months of subculturing. To eliminate the hindering effect of integument on embryo sac cells, the protoplasts of embryo sacs were prepared and cultured. After 48 hours of culture, the protoplasts of embryo sacs doubled in size and gradually formed clusters of cells. These results suggested that gynogenesis might be a potential way for haploid induction in tomato.

In vitro anther culture and Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of the AP1 gene from Salix integra Linn. in haploid poplar(Populus simonii × P. nigra)

A reliable,efficient anther culture system,the dominant technique for generating haploid plants in breeding programs,that can be used for generating transgenic poplar plants has been needed.In the present study,therefore,an anther culture system was developed using isolated mid-and late-uninucleate anthers of poplar(Populus simonii x P.nigra).From a combination of SSR and ploidy analyses,six double haploid and two haploid lines were characterized from 86 plants grown from 16 regenerated anther cultured lines.After 48 months of development,two plant lines from the regenerated plants maintained their haploid level in vitro for over 2 years.A number of haploid plants from the different lines weretransferred to soil.The leaves of these transplants were then used as explants for transformation with the APETALA1(AP1) gene using Agrobacterium tumefaciens.Overexpression of AP1 in haploid poplar induced early flowering with obvious petals when ectopically expressed.To our knowledge,this is the first report on changes in flowering time in AP1-trangenic poplar,which is important for elucidating the regulatory mechanism of tree flower development.

Analysis of Rice Grain Quality-Associated Quantitative Trait Loci by Using Genetic Mapping

The main objective of this research was to identify quantitative trait loci associated with rice qualities to provide reliable information for marker-assisted selection and development of new varieties. In total, 120 doubled haploid (DH) lines developed by another culture from the F1 hybrid of a cross between “Cheongcheong”, a Tongil variety, and “Nagdong”, a japonica variety, were used. A microsatellite linkage map of 222 markers spanned 2082.4 centimorgans (cM) and covered 12 rice chromosomes with an average interval of 9.4cM between markers. Eight quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were associated with rice quality, consisting of two QTLs on chromosomes 1 and 9 for amylose content;three QTLs on chromosomes 8, 9, and 10 for protein content;and three QTLs on chromosomes 2, 3, and 6 for lipid content. PCR expression levels measured using the SSR markers RM23914 for proteins and RM6266 for lipids, and RM586 showed a higher degree of amplification. The present study should be useful for improving the nutritional quality of rice by means of marker-assisted selection.

Genetics of Fertility Restoration in Cytoplasmic Male Sterile Pepper

Pepper hybrid seeds production using male sterility could lower cost by reducing time and labour, and increase the genetic purity of the F1 seeds. To investigate the genetics of fertility restoration of the Peterson cytoplasmic sterility in pepper, a doubled haploid population of 115 pepper lines obtained from anther culture of the F1 hybrid between Yolo Wonder （sterility maintainer line） and Perennial （fertility restorer line） and the parental lines were test-crossed by 77013A （a strict cytoplasmic-genic male sterile line）. The fertility of the test-crossed lines was assessed in greenhouse and open field with the following three criteria： pollen index （PI, visual estimation of pollen amount per flower）, pollen number （PN, pollen counting under microscope）, and seed number （SN, the number of seeds per fruit in open pollination）. Correlations between the each couple of criteria within, as well as between the cultivation methods ranged from 0.55 to 0.84. Analysis of variance showed that the genotype （DH line） and environment were the significant sources of variation of the fertility. Narrow sense of heritance of fertility restoration ranged from 0.38 to 0.92, depending on the criteria and environment. The distribution of the progeny was continuous between the parental genotypes indicating the quantitative inheritance of fertility restoration. Inferred from segregation according to Snape et al.（1984）, the number of segregating genes was estimated to be that three to four genetic factors were involved in pollen traits （PI and PN） and five to eight genetic factors in seed production （SN）. The heredity analysis of the CMS will be helpful for understanding of the genetic mechanism of the fertility restoration and the exploitation of the CMS in hybrid seed production.