Question

Androgenic haploids are useful in plant breeding so as

• A. To produce better hybrids
• B. To produce homozygous organisms
• C. To produce pathogen free organisms
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is B To produce homozygous organisms

Haploid plants are useful in plant breeding. Haploids can be used to generate genetic homozygotes by one generation doubling of chromosomes using colchicine. Colchicine prevents spindle formation. Hence, the chromosome number can be easily doubled using colchicine. Anther culture is done for production of haploids because anthers contain haploid microspores (pollen grains) which can be used to generate new plants. Such haploids are called androgenic haploids because they have been developed from male gamete producing spore, i.e., pollen grain or microspore.