New methods for haploid selection in maize

Samples of haploid and hybrid seed from three different maize donor genotypes after maternal haploid induction were used to test the capability of automated near-infrared transmission spectroscopy to individually differentiate haploid from hybrid seeds. Using a two-step chemometric analysis in which the seeds were first classified according to genotype and then the haploid or hybrid status was determined proved the most successful approach. This approach allowed 11 of 13 haploid and 25 of 25 hybrid kernels to be correctly identified from a mixture that included seeds of all the genotypes. Index Headings Near-infrared spectroscopy; NIR spectroscopy; Corn; Maize; Haploid selection;