Despite the fact that the world is at the rapid phase of agricultural modernization, but we are still concerned about food security. To meet the demand of exponential increase in population there is requirement of 70% more food by 2050. To overcome this situation we have to improve our existing crop varieties and make them genetically diverse, adaptive to climate change, input use efficient, high yielding, enhanced nutritional attributes, and better adaptable to a wide range of agro-ecosystems and should not deteriorate existing environment. Among the various methods of breeding to improve crop varieties mutation breeding (induced mutation) plays a crucial role for the development of genetic variation among themselves. Over past five decade mutation breeding is getting more popular and till now 3,362 mutant plant varieties from 240 different plant species in more than 75 countries are released. Different types of physical, chemical and combined mutagens have been used by various breeder to induce genetic variability in various crops. 2635 varieties are developed by physical mutagens, 398 varieties are developed by chemical mutagens and 37 varieties are developed by combination of physical and chemical mutagens. Continent wise, 82 varieties are developed by Africa, 2049 by Asia, 10 by Australia and Pacific, 959 by Europe, 53 by Latin America, and 209 by North America. Similarly, 1602 major cereals, 501 major legumes and 86 major oil seed mutant crop varieties are developed by mutation breeding/induced mutation. Mutation breeding improve several qualitative and quantitative characters of crop plant and is successfully applied in several cereal, grain legume, oil seed, vegetable, fruits, medicinal plant, ornamental plants and fodder crops. With the advancement of various plant breeding, genetics, and biotechnological tools mutation breeding contribute toward the increase in global food and agriculture production which ultimately overcome global hunger and improve the nutritional status of the globe.

Rice, the number one staple food crop of Nepal, contributes nearly 20% to the agricultural gross domestic product, almost 7% to gross domestic product, and supplies with 40% of the food calorie consumption of Nepalese people. Despite of increasing production, the national demand of rice cannot be fulfilled, and billions of rupees are spent yearly for importing rice from India. This article reviews history, recent scenario, prospects, and importance of rice breeding research in Nepal for self-sufficiency. Though plant breeding inception point in Nepal was 1951, the systematic research in rice was started from 1972 after the establishment of the National Rice Research Program. Introduction and evaluation of high yielding exotic germplasm of rice was the initial rice breeding activities. After analysing several foreign materials, CH-45 variety of rice was first recommended in 1959. Nepal Agriculture Research Council (NARC), the leading organisation for rice varietal improvement to date, has been doing rice research activities such as germplasm conservation, exchange, varietal development, verification of technologies, and knowledge updates in collaboration with various organizations. International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), since 1966, has been playing an important role in Nepal’s rice research. Major plant breeding achievements are introduction of exotic materials and their evaluation, local landraces identification, collection and analysis, crossing of local landraces with exotic genetic materials, heterosis breeding, tissue culture technology, genetic marker technology, and National Genebank. RAPD and SSR, DNA-based markers, are mostly used for diversity appraisal and selecting desirable genotypes. Integration of advanced tools such as genetic engineering, bioinformatics, protoplast fusion, and SNP markers could not be still applied in rice research and development. Hence, emphasis should be given to improve the capacity and abilities of the rice scientists and should release more short duration, drought, and submergence-tolerant rice varieties by optimum utilisation of local landraces combining modern and conventional breeding.

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