Plant Mutagenomics: Genomics Tools for Mutant-Based Studies

Food securityFood security is a global concern, necessitating continuous advancements in crop improvementCrop improvement. This chapter discusses the pivotal role of induced mutagenesisInduced mutagenesis in enhancing genetic diversityGenetic diversity for improved agronomic traitsAgronomic traits. The escalating challenges of population growthPopulation growth, resource depletion, and climate changeClimate change underscore the urgency for novel technologies in crop enhancement. Induced mutagenesisInduced mutagenesis, involving physical and chemical mutagens, proves instrumental in surmounting the limitations of conventional breedingConventional breeding, offering solutions to issues such as low vigor and complex genomes. The chapter highlights the significance of mutantMutants varieties, drawing examples and underscores the crucial role of mutagenesisSpace mutagenesis tools including ion beam radiation in producing a wide range of mutantsMutants. The subsequent sections delve into the generation of mutant collectionsMutant collections using various mutagenic sources, molecular characterization techniques like TILLINGTargeted Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes (TILLING), SNP arraysSNP arrays, and genotyping by sequencingGenotyping by sequencing, as well as the significance of molecular markersMolecular markers such as SNPs, InDelsInDels, SSRsSimple sequence repeats (SSRs), and advanced technologies like MutMapMutMap, RESCANRestriction Enzyme Sequence Comparative Analysis (RESCAN), and exome capture sequencingExome capture sequencing. The pivotal role of ‘mutagenomics’ through the application of next-generation sequencingNext-generation sequencing technologies, including Illumina sequencing, GBS, and whole-genome resequencingWhole-genome resequencing, is highlighted in identifying mutationsMutations and unraveling their molecular basisMolecular basis. Induced mutagenesisInduced mutagenesis stands out as a potent instrument for enhancing crops, playing a pivotal role in sustainable agricultureSustainable agriculture by tackling food securityFood security issues. The incorporation of genomics tools allows for accurate delineation of induced mutationsMutations, aiding in pinpointing of genes accountable for agronomic traitsAgronomic traits and offering valuable insights for use in breeding and crop improvementCrop improvement.