Open Access
REVIEW
Ethyl Methanesulfonate as Inductor of Somaclonal Variants in Different Crops
José Gregorio Joya-Dávila, F. A. Gutiérrez-Miceli*
Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Tecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, 29050, México
* Corresponding Author: F. A. Gutiérrez-Miceli. Email:
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany 2020, 89(4), 835-850. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2020.013679
Received 17 August 2020; Accepted 24 September 2020; Issue published 09 November 2020
Abstract
Ethyl methanesulfonate is a chemical mutagen, which is currently being
used in plant breeding, to increase genetic variability in genes of agronomic interest, of species useful in agriculture. It primarily causes single base point mutations
by inducing guanine alkylation, resulting in GC to AT transitions. Its effect is different between clones of a genotype and between genotypes of the same species.
This review presents the results obtained in recent research, where its effect on
plant tissues, callus, and cells in suspension has been evaluated. Changes in the
phenotypic expression of somaclonal variants were reported, involving morphology, production of secondary metabolites, changes in metabolic routes of resistance, tolerance to stress, increased seed yield, among others. In addition, this
review compiles the doses and guidelines to consider before using this mutagen,
which can serve as a guide for future trials in deciding the response variables, the
type of plant explants and the selection of the study model. Mutant lines have
allowed plant breeders to have a collection of plants with different characteristics,
in places where the cultivar does not have its center of origin. It is important to
note that it is still necessary to continue evaluating the heritability of mutations
and their behaviour in the environment where they will be established, in order
to obtain new varieties of plants that can be cultivated with uniformity in their
genetic response.
Keywords
Cite This Article
Joya-Dávila, J. G., Gutiérrez-Miceli, F. A. (2020). Ethyl Methanesulfonate as Inductor of Somaclonal Variants in Different Crops.
Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, 89(4), 835–850. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2020.013679