Location: Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research
Project Number: 5030-21000-073-025-R
Project Type: Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2021
End Date: Aug 31, 2025
Objective:
The objective of this proposal is to develop a method for breeding corn varieties more rapidly by combining major genes with an organic-friendly doubled haploid method.
Approach:
We will develop molecular markers for the major genes by examining the DNA sequences in the genotypes of interest. Polymorphic sites will be used to construct SNP markers specific for each allele. Major genes will be combined by crossing as usual, except the F1 plants will be used to make haploid plants which will be screened with molecular markers to identify individuals containing the desired allele combinations. Screening haploid plants is much more efficient than screening diploid plants because the number of individuals requiring evaluation in haploids is the square root of the number of individuals requiring evaluation in diploids. The desired individuals will be used to produce doubled haploid lines that can be used in the next cycle of breeding.
