Mechanisms of Spontaneous and Induced Mutations in Plants

摘要

Mutations have been induced with γ radiation and chemical mutagen treatments for useful genetic changes such as high yield, flower colour, disease resistance, early maturity of crop, vegetables, medicinal herbs, fruit and ornamental plants. Mutagens cause random changes in the nuclear DNA or cytoplasmic organelles, resulting in gene, chromosomal or genomic mutations. Even though most of the induced mutations are recessive and deleterious from the point of view of breeding, a sighificant improvement in plant improvement worldwide has been achieved.