DEVELOPMENT OF DOUBLE HAPLOIDY IN UMBELLIFERAE

The umbelliferae species includes vegetables (e.g. carrot, celery, parsnip) as well as herb/spice crops (e.g. dill, caraway, anise). When compared to other major crop species, there has been very little breeding or genetic improvement of the umbelliferae, especially the herb/spice crops. Therefore, there is a potential for variability in crop performance and content of active ingredients. Haploidy technology can be used to develop uniform, true breeding lines as well as to accelerate breeding programs. Screening the umbelliferae species for microspore culture response has yielded embryos from anise, angelica, caraway, carrot, dill, lovage, fennel, and parsnip. Haploid and double haploid (DH) plants have also been regenerated from anise, caraway, carrot, dill, lovage, fennel, and parsnip. Field trials of the DH lines were conducted in 2003 and 2004 for anise, dill, and fennel. These trials showed that there were significant differences between the DH lines and their corresponding parental lines in terms of seed viability, plant height, rate of crop development, seed yield, and oil quantity.