- phenotype = genotype
- The presence of one set of chromosomes
facilitates the isolation of mutants,
spontaneous or induced
- Isogenic diploids can be obtained
by chromosome diploidization
- By conventional inbreeding and
backcrossing, it is possible to obtain
pure lines, but it is a time-consuming
process. Using anther culture, haploids
can be obtained in a matter of weeks,
and by doubling their chromosome
number homozygous diploids can be procured in a single generation.
- Haploid cell cultures are also useful material for the
study of somatic cell genetics
- Haploids can be used to obtain homozygosity for genes
in cases
where it is normally difficult to
achieve (self-incompatible alleles).
- Haploids can be used in recurrent selection; fixing quantitative
characters; and the identification of superior crosses.
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Pollen grains or microspores containing
lethal genes will never develop and can therefore be responsible for gene
drain.
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