Using mutation breeding to improve plant genetic characteristics

Known as mutation breeding, plant breeders induce inheritable changes in the genetic background of a plant by using irradiation and chemicals, and then select offspring with the characteristics they are looking for.

UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and International Agricultural Exchange Association (IAEA) scientists have used mutation breeding to improve oil quality by inducing changes in the plant's fatty acid composition, and to raise the yields of important oilseed crops. With sesame, the researchers increased the length of the fruiting zone on the stem, the number of capsules or fruits, the uniformity of ripening and the plant's tolerance to important diseases.

1. 1. The value of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture ultimately lies in their utilization. Promoting plant breeding and improvement is one way of sharing the benefits of these resources.

1. Breeding plants

1. Securing food supplies
2. Preserving genetic diversity in cultivated plants
3. Employing characterology
4. Correcting plant genetic defects

1. Using plant genetic resources
2. Expanding research on plant genetic resources

1. Decreasing genetic diversity in cultivated plants

1. Uncontrolled genetic drift
2. Monopolization of agricultural genetic resources
3. Inadequate plant genetic resources conservation
4. Genetic defects and diseases
5. Declining breeds of cultivated plants
6. Accidental weed creation by genetic engineering

1. Breeding