Numerical aspects of mutation breeding programmes

The probabilistic aspects of induced mutation breeding are discussed. The mutation rates are defined as the relative frequency of detectable mutational events per generation and per genome in large populations. On the assumption of a Poisson distribution of mutation rates, tables are presented to describe the number of progenies required to obtain at least r(r = 1,..., 5) mutants with 90, 95 an 99% confidence. The effect of chimerism and the effect of multiple loci on a single character in M1 are discussed and corresponding tables are developed. The size of M2 populations and their relationships to M1 parents are discussed, including cost ratio considerations. (author). 11 refs, 10 figs, 7 tabs