Mutation breeding

Glossary

Mutation breeding

Mutation breeding, also known as mutagenesis, involves artificially inducing new gene variants in plants. This is done by treating the plants with chemicals or subjecting them to radioactive radiation. These treatments create random gene mutations in the plants. While some of these mutations may be desirable, such as resistance to a particular disease, there are also numerous undesired gene mutations that occur. As a result, the selected offspring of these plants must undergo backcrossing to remove the undesirable changes. This process typically takes several years, making mutation breeding slow and inefficient when compared to newer breeding technologies.

New breeding technologies, such as genome editing, offer a more precise way to make changes in the genome, eliminating the need for lengthy backcrossing. Genome editing allows for targeted modifications in the plant's genome, resulting in more efficient and precise breeding outcomes. It is worth noting that mutagenesis is allowed in both conventional and organic agriculture.

Sources

SCNAT: Pflanzenzüchtung – von klassischer Kreuzung bis Genom-Editierung

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Mutation breeding

Sources

Terms from the glossary