Optimization of chromosome doubling treatment for efficient in vivo doubled haploid production in maize

An investigation to optimize the protocol for application of colchicine for enhancing the doubled haploid production in maize was done. 106 maize genotypes were used as maternal parents, whereas, pollen source involved tropically adopted haploid inducer (TAIL P1 and TAIL hybrid). After the elimination of chromosomes of inducer lines, haploid seeds were obtained from the crosses. Haploid seedlings were treated with three different doses, such as 0.04, 0.06 and 0.08 per cent of colchicines for different durations (8, 12 and 15 hours). The response of various colchicine concentrations applied for different time durations revealed significant differences at P ≤ 0.05 for various parameters viz., per cent plants survivability, stalk colour, the fertility of tassel, silk present/absent, pollen viability, seed set and per cent doubled haploid formation. In maize, colchicine doses of 0.04 per cent for 12 hours and 0.06 per cent for 8 hours, respectively were established as optimum for enhanced doubled haploid production. But among these two, 0.04 per cent for 12 hours was observed to be best dose for doubled haploid production in maize.