Induced mutations in peanuts (A. hypogaea). Breeding objectives, genetic studies and mutagen treatment methods

The peanut is a major oil crop and an important protein source in food or feed (meal) in southeast Asia. It was one of the first crops subjected to mutagenic treatments, with considerable breeding gains and genetic developments. The breeding objectives for peanuts are listed. It is suggested that in view of the very few sources of resistance to major diseases in the cultivated germ plasm collections and in related species, mutation breeding could make significant contributions once proper mass screening approaches are available. It was shown in a study with 14C-labeled EMS (in carbon 2) that very little of the mutagen reaches the plumule in the treated seeds, about 2% of the total amount in the seed. The mutagen enters by diffusion and efforts to increase its rate should be adopted. (author)