Although much of the terminology used in this chapter has been discussed in previous chapters,
the
in vitro
induction of haploids involves a few specialized terms. A haploid is a plant with the
gametic or
n
number of chromosomes. Doubled haploids, or dihaploids, are chromosome doubled
haploids or 2n plants. Androgenesis is the process by which haploid plants develop from the male
gametophyte. When anthers are cultured intact, the procedure is called anther culture. Microspore
culture involves isolating microspores from anthers before culture and is sometimes referred to as
pollen culture. Haploids are derived from the female gametophyte through a process referred to as
gynogenesis.
In vitro
gynogenesis involves the culture of unfertilized ovules or ovaries. While both
androgenesis and gynogenesis may occur
in vivo
, the usage of the terms in this chapter will refer
to the
in vitro
induction of haploids via these two mechanisms.