Revolutionizing Breeding with Doubled Haploids: A Transformative Tool for Precision Genetic Improvement in Wheat

Abstract

The development of fully homozygous wheat lines through chromosome doubling is pivotal for accelerating genetic improvement and enhancing breeding efficiency. The wheat × maize hybridization system effectively induces haploids via selective chromosome elimination which are subsequently doubled to restore fertility and ensure genetic stability. These homozygous lines enable precise phenotypic assessment of complex agronomic traits including yield, drought tolerance and disease resistance across diverse environmental conditions. This facilitates the construction of high-resolution genetic maps and it enhances the power of Genome-Wide Association Studies thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of Plant Breeding Strategies. Moreover, this methodology contributes to broadening the genetic base of wheat by enabling the incorporation of novel alleles from wild relatives and exotic germplasm. Additionally, fully homozygous lines serve as an essential platform for functional genomics studies, mutagenesis, transgenic research and the validation of gene functions. These applications collectively contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of gene, trait relationships and the underlying genetic architecture of complex traits. Ultimately, the haploid induction and chromosome doubling approach significantly shortens breeding cycles, accelerates genetic gains and supports the rapid development of improved wheat cultivars. This strategy stands as a cornerstone for modern wheat breeding programs aimed at sustainable food security. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of haploid induction and chromosome doubling in wheat and to demonstrate how these approaches accelerate genetic gains and broaden the genetic base and support sustainable wheat production.