Genetic improvement of fruit crops through in vitro mutagenesis

Traditional plant breeding methods often face significant hurdles when attempting to introduce new genetic variations into fruit crops, largely due to existing genetic limitations. This review explores how mutation breeding, particularly when combined with in vitro culture techniques, offers a highly efficient and rapid pathway to genetic improvement. Beyond merely creating new mutants, this integrated approach excels at enhancing specific traits within already superior varieties, breaking undesirable genetic linkages and expanding overall variability. The revolutionary impact of in vitro methods on mutation induction are delved into, discussing how they overcome challenges like material availability and chimera formation while facilitating the rapid isolation and cloning of desired genetic variants. The review examines various physical and chemical mutagens used, detailing their modes of action and the critical factors influencing mutagenic sensitivity, such as dose, treatment duration, genotype and explant type. Furthermore, the diverse and beneficial effects observed in fruit crops are highlighted, ranging from cytological and morphological changes to significant improvements in vegetative traits (like germination and vigour) and reproductive characteristics (including early flowering, increased fruit yield and enhanced quality). This comprehensive overview underscores the established and growing importance of in vitro mutagenesis as a sophisticated and indispensable tool for modern fruit crop breeders, paving the way for the development of more productive and resilient varieties worldwide.