Intraspecific haploid induction in maize (Zea mays) is triggered by a native frameshift mutation in MATRILINEAL (MATL)， which encodes a pollen-specific phospholipase. To develop a haploid inducer in rice (Oryza sativa)， we generated an allelic series in the putative ZmMATL orthologue， OsMATL， and found that knockout mutations led to a reduced seed set and a 2-6% haploid induction rate. This demonstrates MATL functional conservation and represents a major advance for rice breeding.
Intraspecific haploid induction in maize (Zea mays) is triggered by a native frameshift mutation in MATRILINEAL (MATL)， which encodes a pollen-specific phospholipase. To develop a haploid inducer in rice (Oryza sativa)， we generated an allelic series in the putative ZmMATL orthologue， OsMATL， and found that knockout mutations led to a reduced seed set and a 2-6% haploid induction rate. This demonstrates MATL functional conservation and represents a major advance for rice breeding.
