Anther Culture and Haploid Breeding of Maize in China

Corn is widely cultivated, and has a great potential for increased yield. The Hybrids obtained by crossing self lines have long been an effective approach to improve the yield, but it usually takes 4–6 years to breed a pure line. However, through anther and pollen culture, this time period can be considerably reduced, which enables the early release of varieties. By using this method, haploids have been produced in a large number of crops (see Bajaj 1983, 1990). The production of haploid plants from cultured anthers is considered an effective method for obtaining inbred lines of maize, and it has therefore attracted the attention of maize breeders. In 1972 Murakami et al. for the first time obtained callus from anthers, but did not achieve the regeneration of plants. In China, pollen plants of maize have been obtained since 1975 (Research Group 401 1975; Institute of Maize Research 1977; Kuo et al. 1978, 1986, 1990). These plants have both male and female sex organs, and produce ears with good seeds through self-pollination (Institute of Maize Research 1977). during the past few years, significant progress has been made in the cytological studies of androgenesis, chromosome doubling, and the selection and culture of the progeny (Wu et al. 1980). More than 100 pure lines have been obtained from 30 different combinations (Wu et al. 1983). Moreover, hundreds of cross-combinations have also been made from these pure lines, and most of them express obvious heterosis with good prospects, (also see Chaps. III.3, 4, this Vol.).