A Line of Maize with High Haploid Frequency

Abstract

A genetic inbred having an unusually high frequency of haploid plants in self-pollinated progenies and the capacity for induction of a high frequency of haploids in maternal outcross parents is reported. The inducing capacity is inherited and has been transferred to other backgrounds. In self progenies, the inbred produced over 3% haploids. In outcross tests on a genetically-marked line, over 2% maternal haploids were induced. A normal line gave 0.15% haploids in the same outcross test and the F1 between normal and high gave 0.42%. Plants from the backcross to the high line averaged 1.19% haploids in outcross tests.