On the selection for specific genes in doubled haploids

Doubling haploids from the F1 of a cross between two homozygous lines and selection between the produced homozygous lines is a breeding strategy aimed at producing a population of pure lines quickly and thereby facilitating selection. Different selection goals are discussed. The problem of how to retain all desired genotypes by one or more plants in the population of doubled haploids is considered. For (combinations of) characters which are determined by a small number of unlinked (major) genes, minimum numbers of doubled haploid lines are tabulated that guarantee the breeder retaining the desired genotypes with a given probability. A general expression for this probability is given, which may be used for the case of linked genes.