Utilization of Doubled Haploid Technology and Development of Maize Inbred Lines in South Korea.

Line development and hybrid selection are the key procedures in maize breeding. Inbred line development is an essential prerequisite to make good hybrids and this line development in Korea is totally dependent on conventional methods. For development of inbred lines, we have to do self-pollination for at least seven cycles. This conventional line development system is tedious, labor-intensive, and time-consuming procedure. Doubled haploid technology in maize is a rapid line development system and many maize research institutes in foreign countries have been actively using this technology. Key requisite for doubled haploid breeding is possession of inducer lines which can produce haploid when source population is crossed with them. Maize Research Institute in Republic Korea secures the right of using inducer lines and is trying to set up the new system and to develop inbred lines by the doubled haploid breeding in Korea. The possessed inducer, Tails, is originated in tropical area, CIMMYT, but it is well adapted in the temperate area, South Korea. The silking days was 72 when it was planted at April 23^rd and plant height was 196cm. When three maize populations were crossed with the inducer, the average haploid induction rate was 4.1%. Using this doubled haploid technology, we can greatly reduce the period of line development and strengthen maize research ability in Korea. There are lots of pending issues such as increase induction rate, viability improvement of doubled plants, and color marker inhibitor control. But, we expect our breeding capacity will be progressed by introduction of Doubled Haploid technology.

This work was carried out with the supported of “Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science & Technology Development (Project No. PJ011769012016), Rural Development Administration, Republic of Korea.