This monograph provides a comprehensive review of many aspects of current interest and progress on mutation research on vegetatively propagated ornamentals. It covers almost all aspects of induced mutagenesis on ornamental plants. Chapters in this title provides information about mutation technology for the development of new ornamental varieties. Taking all aspects together, it is an excellent reference book of updated information on mutation breeding on vegetatively propagated ornamentals. Floriculture has become a very important industry in many countries as a result of science-based techniques and a steady supply of improved plant materials. The induced mutation is now recognized as well as a standardized valuable tool for the development of new varieties. The book provides an authoritative review account of all important aspects related to inducing mutagenesis in the field of ornamental crops. The primary objective of the book is to give a coherent and concise account of earlier work with an emphasis on recent developments. The knowledge generated so far has been reviewed in this book which can work as a knowledge base to prepare guidelines for future planning of successful application of mutation technology for the floriculture industry. The information in the book is an excellent informative document for researchers, teachers, students, and breeders for understanding the application of induced mutations and planning future strategies for the development of new ornamental varieties for the floriculture industry.

In recent years ornamental crops became very economically important horticultural branch. In order to meet the ever increasing demand for export and internal consumption, it is imperative that production technology of ornamental crops has to be modernized. For a modern and industrialized horticulture there is always a demand and necessity for new varieties. Mutation breeding is now an established method for crop improvement. The book has described how mutation breeding technique can be successfully utilised in floriculture trade for evolving new varieties in different ornamental crops. The book covers both applied and basic aspects of mutation in general and vegetatively propagated ornamentals in particular. The book presents practical results of mutation investigations on Chrysanthemum, garden rose, Rosa damascena and Lantana depressa. All basic aspects of mutagen induced mutations in flower colour/shape and isolation and establishment of new variety have been described in depth in lucid language. The book covers a wide aspects of radiosensitivity, use of recurrent gamma irradiation, use of colchicine for altering flower colour, screening techniques for detection and isolation of mutants, comparative cytomorphological, anatomical, palynological and biochemical analysis. Origin of somatic flower colour mutation has been given special attention. The book is extremely well prepared and contains huge volume of informations on mutations. The book will serve as an extremely comprehensive guide to the researchers and the student alike. Contents Chapter 1: Introduction; Chapter 2: Materials and Methods; Chapter 3: Results; Chapter 4: Discussion; Chapter 5: Conclusion; Chapter 6: Summary.

This comprehensive book covers the underlying scientific principles, state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies of plant mutagenesis. It covers historical development and commonly used terminologies, chemical and physical mutagenesis, mutation induction, mutation breeding and mutations in functional genomics research. Suitable both as a manual for professionals and a resource for students in plant breeding and research, the book includes exemplary cases of practical applications and an appendix of recommended doses of gamma and fast neutron irradiation for almost 200 plant species. It is

Application of Mutation Breeding Methods in the Improvement of Vegetatively Propagated Crops: An Interpretive Literature Review summarizes advances in the use of artificially induced mutations to improve cultivated plants, particularly those that are vegetatively propagated. It brings together all available and accessible references that examine the advantages, drawbacks, and possibilities of the mutation breeding method, as well as the challenges that prevent it from being applied to various crops. Comprised of eight chapters, this volume begins with an overview of various aspects of mutagenic treatment using chemical and physical mutagens. It then discusses the structure and functioning of shoot apices and their behavior after irradiation; adventitious bud techniques and other in vivo or in vitro methods of asexual propagation; and breeding of root and tuber crops, such as cassava and potato, ornamental crops such as foliage plants and cut flowers, fruit crops, and other crops. Plant breeders who want to better understand how to apply mutation breeding to their crops will find this book extremely helpful.

Mutation breeding has been introduced into modern plant breeding in the early 1940's. In spite of pessimistic predictions, the application of experimental mutagenesis has led to encouraging results demonstrating that mutation breeding is a well-functioning method in many crops. So far, more than 500 varieties, developed by means of induced mutations, have been officially released; others have been approved for registration. Many mutants with characters of agronomic interest cannot be utilized directly because of their unsatisfying yielding capacities, or of other negative traits which are partly due to the pleiotropic action of the mutant genes. Sometimes their negative selection value can be overcome by transferring them into the genomes of other varieties. According to experience available, the efficiency of mutant genes can conSiderably vary depending on the genotypic background in which they become effective. The interactions between mutant genes and genotypic back ground cannot be predicted. Therefore, mutants with valuable traits should be crossed with many varieties and strains in order to discern positive and negative interactions. In this way, genotypes can be selected in which the mutant gene is able to express its action without showing negative by-effects. This procedure has been used for about 10 years by combining the methods of mutation and crossbreeding. Mutation breeding is predominantly used in annual diploid and allo polyploid self-fertilizing crops, while it causes much more difficulties in cross-pollinating species.

Chrysanthemum is the world's second most important floriculture crop in India. The world trade in floriculture is over $ 100 billion and is growing at the rate of 15% per annum. The demand of Chrysanthemum in developed countries is more than 90% as one of the floriculture products. India's floriculture industry is likely to enhance flower business upto Rs.8000 crore by the year 2015, since, it is growing at a compound annual growth rate of ca.30%. The Indian floriculture industry is poised at about Rs.3700 crore, with just 0.61% share in the global floriculture sector which is also likely to reach 0.89% by 2015 as 50% area of floriculture is found in Karnataka, A.P., Tamilnadu, W.B., Maharashtra and Rajasthan. Induced mutation plays an important role in the genetic improvement of plants. The crops which do not produce any seed, mutation breeding is the only way to improve these crops. These mutants can be isolated through conventional method or chimera management techniques. The physical and chemical mutagens have been used successfully for induction of somatic mutations for flower colour, shape and size which can be exploited for improved breeding programs in future.

This book highlights the recent progress on the applications of mutation breeding technology in crop plants. Plant breeders and agriculturists are faced with the new challenges of climate change, human population growth, and dwindling arable land and water resources which threaten to sustain food production worldwide. Genetic variation is the basis which plant breeders require to produce new and improved cultivars. The understanding of mutation induction and exploring its applications has paved the way for enhancing genetic variability for various plant and agronomic characters, and led to advances in gene discovery for various traits. Induced mutagenesis has played a significant role in crop improvement and currently, the technology has resulted in the development and release of more than 3600 mutant varieties in most of the crop plants with great economic impact. The field of ‘mutation breeding’ has come long way to become an important approach for crop improvement. This book covers various methodologies of mutation induction, screening of mutants, genome editing and genomics advances and mutant gene discovery. The book further discusses success stories in different countries and applications of mutation breeding in food crops, horticultural plants and plantation crops. This informative book is very useful to plant breeders, students and researchers in the field of agriculture, plant sciences, food science and genetics.