CENH3 mediated haploid induction: application and future perspectives in crop plants

True homozygous pure lines are required for the development of new crop varieties. In conventional as well as molecular breeding strategies, it typically takes 7–9 generations to accomplish the appropriate level of homozygosity. On the contrary, haploids can have their chromosomes doubled in a single generation to create a true-breeding lineage. Over the period, researchers have developed several methods for haploids and doubled haploid induction, but these methods are only applicable to specific crop types. The discovery of the centromere-specific histone 3 variant (CENH3) and its manipulation is proving to be the most potent technique for haploid development. Recent advancements in this technology have shown that non-transgenic changes to CENH3 can also induce haploids. Point mutations in CENH3 that can be induced by chemical agents may lead to haploid induction when crossed with wild-type CENH3 plants. These plants with the CENH3 mutation are fully fertile when selfed, develop properly, and can be found in already-existing collections of mutagenized plants. The current review encompasses the recent studies undertaken to utilize the CENH3 manipulations strategy to develop various haploid plant crops with increased success rates. This review paper will provide a better insight into understanding the detailed mechanism of the CENH3-induced haploid induction process and help investigate the areas that need to be further explored.