The double haploid technology

Microspores isolated from wheat (Photo: Prof. Erwin Heberle-Bors)

Doubled haploid technology refers to the use of the microspore or anther culture (ovary culture in few species) to obtain haploid embryos from microspores (see the diagram below).  

The Brassica microspore embryogenesis

The ploidy level could be doubled autonomously or by chemical treatments to obtain plants with 100% homozygosity.  This technology is available in some crops to speed up the breeding procedure. 

EU is also supporting a COST action in doubled haploid technology (COST 851, coordinated by Dr. Brian Forster).