Mutation of GmDMP genes triggers haploid induction in soybean

Abstract

The development of homozygous lines is a key step in plant breeding and production. Generally, homozygous lines can be obtained through traditional time-consuming way of several generations selfing or through a way of doubled haploid (DH) technology, which has obvious advantages to accelerate breeding. However, no effective haploid production system so far has been established in soybean. Here we show that mutations of the soybean GmDMP1 and GmDMP2 genes can be used to induce haploid with an average haploid induction rate of 0.61%. We also found that 22.9% of soybean haploids can produce seeds through spontaneous chromosome doubling. Those findings laid a solid foundation for establishing DH technology in soybean, which will accelerate soybean breeding.