Ethyl Methanesulfonate as Inductor of Somaclonal Variants in Different Crops

Abstract

Ethyl methanesulfonate is a chemical mutagen, which is currently being used in plant breeding, to increase genetic variability in genes of agronomic interest, of species useful in agriculture. It primarily causes single base point mutations by inducing guanine alkylation, resulting in GC to AT transitions. Its effect is different between clones of a genotype and between genotypes of the same species. This review presents the results obtained in recent research, where its effect on plant tissues, callus, and cells in suspension has been evaluated. Changes in the phenotypic expression of somaclonal variants were reported, involving morphology, production of secondary metabolites, changes in metabolic routes of resistance, tolerance to stress, increased seed yield, among others. In addition, this review compiles the doses and guidelines to consider before using this mutagen, which can serve as a guide for future trials in deciding the response variables, the type of plant explants and the selection of the study model. Mutant lines have allowed plant breeders to have a collection of plants with different characteristics, in places where the cultivar does not have its center of origin. It is important to note that it is still necessary to continue evaluating the heritability of mutations and their behaviour in the environment where they will be established, in order to obtain new varieties of plants that can be cultivated with uniformity in their genetic response.