Delong Wang , Pingping Yang , Jiong Fu

Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Crop Molecular Breeding, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China
Author    Correspondence author
Maize Genomics and Genetics, 2025, Vol. 16, No. 2   
Received: 25 Nov., 2024    Accepted: 05 Jan., 2025    Published: 23 Jun., 2025

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

The study provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in haploid breeding techniques for maize, particularly the revolutionary role of doubled haploid (DH) technology in maize breeding. DH technology significantly enhances breeding efficiency and effectiveness by rapidly generating pure inbred lines, offering numerous economic, logistic, and genetic benefits compared to traditional methods, especially in commercial breeding programs. Key advancements include the development of efficient haploid inducers, the application of new marker systems, and enhanced chromosome doubling protocols. Additionally, the integration of DH technology with genome editing tools, such as CRISPR/Cas9, further accelerates the breeding of elite lines with desirable traits. Despite current challenges, including low induction rates, genomic stability, and technical and economic feasibility, DH technology holds immense potential to meet global food demands and address agricultural challenges. Its widespread adoption will contribute significantly to sustainable agriculture and food security.

Haploid breeding; Doubled haploid (DH) technology; Maize breeding; Genome editing; Inducer lines