Mutation breeding techniques are gaining attention in crop improvement which can create desirable variations in the genetic base of plants. Well adapted plant varieties can be improved by modifying one or two major traits, which limit their productivity or quality. Different viral, bacterial and fungal diseases are causing a huge loss in fruit crops, by reducing production and quality. Mutation breeding can be used as an eco-friendly and inexpensive method by creating disease-resistant plants. There are different barriers in fruit breeding and induced mutations help to break these obstacles. Several experiments have been conducted in this area worldwide and several disease-resistant mutant varieties are released for cultivation such as McIntosh 8F-2-32 variety of apple, Smile Heart variety of strawberry and US Furr ST variety of mandarin. The application of induced mutations along with biotechnology, genomics and molecular marker techniques, can speed up fruit breeding. In this paper, induced mutation studies for developing disease resistance in major fruit crops so far are being discussed. In addition, disease-resistant somaclonal variants in different fruit crops are also studied.

Induced Mutation, Disease Resistance, Fruit crops

The development of disease resistance is one of the major goals in fruit breeding since diseases are causing huge losses in different fruit crops. As fruit breeding is being constrained by various limitations, new methods need to be established to develop new varieties. The perusal of different mutagenesis experiments elucidates the importance of induced mutations in fruit crops. In vitro culture combined with induced mutation and molecular techniques speed up the breeding programme. Several disease resistant mutant varieties have been released in different fruit crops which is a breakthrough in fruit cultivation. The use of sequencing techniques helps to identify target-specific genes and easily detect mutations. Nowadays induced mutations are also used to determine the gene/allele function in plants. Mutation studies are to be focused on developing climate-resilient crops as climate change is seriously affecting crop production. Induced mutations coupled with biotechnology and molecular techniques can create better adaptability and higher productivity in crops. Thus mutation breeding coupled with advanced biotechnological tools can be recommended to transform fruit cultivation.

M.S. Aneesa Rani and Aiswarya Ravi (2022). Mutation for Disease Resistance in Fruit Crops- A Review. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 14(4a): 74-81.