Androgenesis in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.): a critical revisit

Glycine max (L.) Merr. (soybean) is a multi-purpose crop used for both animal and human feed. It is an economically and industrially important crop. It possesses many therapeutical and nutraceutical compounds. Therefore, soybean is referred to as ‘Gold from the soil’. Conventional breeding approaches are laborious and time-consuming. Thus, alternative biotechnological methods, such as in vitro micropropagation, regeneration, and transformation, could be advantageous. Despite the efforts made in the field of soybean micropropagation for haploidy and doubled haploidy, especially androgenesis, the success rate accounts for only approximately 2%. Androgenesis in soybean is lacking primarily due to its recalcitrant nature and differences in the development of microspores within a flower. Haploids and doubled haploids (DHs) have contributed immensely to crop improvement programs. In this review, soybean androgenesis history, production of haploids, and doubled haploids have been highlighted. The factors responsible for the androgenic responses have also been discussed. Furthermore, the review will be helpful in understanding the challenges in the standardization of protocol for the production of haploids and DHs in soybean, which will eventually assist breeding and crop improvement.