A novel visual marker to distinguish haploids from doubled haploids in rice (Oryza sativa, L) at early growth stages.

Doubled haploid technology, which enables the generation of homozygous lines in a single step, is one of the modern tools being employed for accelerating breeding processes in different crops. In rice, a globally important staple food crop, doubled haploid production through androgenesis is increasingly being employed in breeding programs. Amongst the androgenic rice lines, doubled haploids are formed spontaneously at about 50-60%, while the remaining 40-50% of plants remain as haploids.