Mutagenesis Approaches and Their Role in Crop Improvement

Abstract

Induced mutagenesis is one of the most efficient tools that has been utilized extensively to create genetic variation as well as for identification of key regulatory genes for economically important traits toward the crop improvement. Mutations can be induced by several techniques such as physical, chemical, and insertional mutagen treatments; however, these methods are not preferred because of cost and tedious process. Nonetheless, with the advancements in next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques, millions of mutations can be detected in a very short period of time and, therefore, considered as convenient and cost efficient. Furthermore, induced mutagenesis coupled with whole-genome sequencing has provided a robust platform for forward and reverse genetic applications. Moreover, the availability of whole-genome sequence information for large number of crops has enabled target-specific genome editing techniques as a preferable method to engineer desired mutations. The available genome editing approaches such as ZFNs (Zinc Finger Nucleases), transcription activator like effector nucleases (TALENS), and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated9 (Cas9) endonuclease have been utilized to perform site-specific mutations in several plant species. In particular, the CRISPR/Cas9 has transformed the genome editing because of its simplicity and robustness, therefore, have been utilized to enhance biotic and abiotic stress resistance. The Special Issue of Plants highlights the efforts by the scientific community utilizing mutagenesis techniques for the identification of novel genes toward crop improvement.

Mechanisms of Genome Maintenance in Plants: Playing It Safe With Breaks and Bumps

“…To date, it has made an immense contribution in the improvement of yield, maturity durations, and biotic and abiotic stress resistance and still utilized by plant breeders across the globe for crop improvement ( Oladosu et al, 2016 ). Moreover, the improved mutant varieties play a vital role in crop biodiversity and offer useful breeding material for further crop improvement ( Chaudhary et al, 2019 ; Raina et al, 2020 ).…”

Introduction to Plant Mutation Breeding: Different Approaches and Mutagenic Agents

“…Site-directed mutagenesis is one of the recent molecular crop improvement tools, which provides researchers with new techniques to alter the DNA sequence at a precise location (Gurushidze et al, 2016 (Chaudhary, Deshmukh and Sonah, 2019). Apart from ZFN, TALEN was the most preferred genome editing technology used in many organisms including plants (Malzahn, Lowder and Qi, 2017).…”

A new spring barley variety ‘In Memory of Dudin’

“…); reducing the use of pesticides and fungicides through the introduction of disease and insect resistant varieties; new qualitative features (grain, leaf) and many others. Obtaining new properties and features of plants makes it possible to increase efficiency of agricultural industry [2]. Mutational breeding can give an improvement in the trait without significantly changing the genotype and phenotype of the plant, unlike traditional breeding.…”