Male gametophytic selection as a plant breeding tool

New plant breeding programs are constantly being developed in many horticultural species with the objective of responding to the increasing demand for new and better agronomic products. However, in most of those programs, and especially in those involving woody tree species, it would be desirable to use strategies that allow an early selection of genotypes. Gametophytic selection could be one of those strategies. In this review, three approaches that can be taken to use gametophytic selection in plant breeding programs are considered: genotype screening, effect of gametophytic competition on offspring vigor and manipulation of the reproductive phase to transmit selected traits to the next sporophytic generation. The advantages and limitations of the use of gametophytic selection in plant breeding are examined as well as the progress in this field and the future prospects of the method.