The use of haploidy speeds up variety development because complete homozygocity can be obtained by converting haploids to doubled haploids within a few years. Normally many generations (five or more) of selfing are required to reach the same level of homozygocity. Barley and canola breeders using the pedigree method can take about 7 years to bring a cultivar to market, and using haploids reduces this time by two years.
Recessive alleles in the parent are easily uncovered, and genotypes are easier to determine. Haploidy can also be used to produce a male or female plant from dioecious species such as asparagus
Unwanted traits such as albinism may be fixed with the double haploid method. The cost of raising double haploids for plant breeding is expensive. However, the benefits outweigh the cost of production.
