The Use of Mutagenesis to Create Genetic Variation in Tomato Crop

Abstract

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) is one of the most perishable crops worldwide grown due to its rich nutritional quality and good market value. It is less attentive crop as compared to major crops.  There is need to explore the genetic diversity among the tomato germplasm, to create resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses. Without the genetic variationreeding program remains infective. One most important method to create variation in plants is the use of mutagenesis in plant breeding. To create more variation mutation breeding can be used in tomatoes. Improvement of plant varieties either through conventional or non-conventional breeding is the main objective of the plant breeders but parental varieties with unusual features are usually produced by mutagenesis at first stage and later subjected to breeding experiments to produce more stable and modified plant lines.