Question

Describe mutation breeding with an example.

Answer 1

The mutation is defined as the sudden heritable change in the nucleotide sequence of DNA in an organism. The genetic variations brings out changes in an organism. The organism which undergoes mutation is called a mutant.
The factors which induce mutations are known as mutagens or mutagenic agents. The mutagens are of two types:

1. Physical mutagens: Radiations like X – rays, a, P and Y – rays, UV rays and temperature, etc, which induce, maturations are called physical mutagens.
2. Chemical mutagens: Chemical substances that induce mutations are called chemical mutagens, eg. Mustard gas and nitrous acid. The utilization of induced mutation in crop improvement is called mutation inbreeding.

Achievements of mutation breeding:

1. Sharbati Sonora wheat produced from Sonora – 64 by using gamma rays.
2. Atomica – 2 rice with saline tolerance and pest resistance.
3. Groundnuts with thick shells.