Question

Write a short note on mutational breeding.

Answer 1

Mutation breeding is also known as "variation breeding".The term mutation breeding was first coined by Freisleben and Lein, 1944 to refer to the deliberate induction and development of mutant lines for crop improvement.

Complete step by step answer:
-It is the process of exposing seeds to chemicals or radiation in order to generate mutants with desirable traits to be bred with other cultivars.
-It's a means of accelerating the process of developing different traits for selection, such as disease resistance, tolerance to harsh growing conditions, and other valuable agronomic traits.
-Rate of mutation is increased by means of certain agents called mutagens.
-Mutagens are of two types (a) chemical and (b) physical mutagen
-Plants created using mutagenesis are sometimes called mutagenic plants or mutagenic seeds.
-There are different kinds of mutagenic breeding such as using chemical mutagens like ethyl methane sulfonate and dimethyl sulfate, radiation or transposons to generate mutants.
- Exposing plants to radiation is sometimes called radiation breeding and is a subclass of mutagenic breeding.
-The most widely used chemical mutagens are alkylating agents.
-New mutagenic techniques are – restriction endonuclease, Space-breeding, Ion beam technology, Mature pollen treated with gamma radiation.
-In genetically modified crops, which typically involve the insertion of one or two target genes, but plants developed via mutagenic processes with random, multiple and unspecified genetic changes have been discussed as a concern but are not prohibited by any nation's organic standards.

Note:
In the mung bean, resistance to yellow mosaic virus and powdery mildew were induced by mutations.