CHAPTER 15 - Radiation And Other Induced Mutations In Plant Breeding

Abstract

This chapter discusses the radiation and other induced mutations in plant breeding. Mutations are the suddenly occurring variations that are inherited, and result from alteration of the genetic make-up of the living organism. They can occur quite naturally, are exceedingly rare events, or at least are rarely recognized, and of these mutations an even smaller number are beneficial, most being undesirable. Mutations in plants range from genetic modifications at a molecular level that is within the gene to those effecting a change in chromosome structure. The mutation changes of chromosomes may be of a number of types, including chromosome rearrangement, deficiencies and duplications, and crossing over. Such modifications may be detected by genetic analysis in the case of obvious structural alterations, together with biochemical methods when functional metabolism is involved. Mutations can be induced in plants by gamma, X-, or neutron irradiation. The potential of mutation breeding is very great, and plant improvement is entirely dependent on diversity and availability of basic material.