Mutagenesis in the improvement of ornamental plants

Mutagenesis is an important tool in the generation of ornamental plant varieties. By 2017, more than 700 varieties had been registered in the mutant variety database jointly administered by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Among the main genera reported are Chrysanthemum, Rosa, Dahlia and Alstroemeria, with 283, 67, 35 and 35 registered varieties, respectively. Germplasm native to Mexico has been used to generate several varieties of mutant plants abroad. From Dahlia, 18 varieties have been registered and a large number of mutant forms have been generated in Asia and Europe, while from Polianthes mutant forms have been developed in Iran and India, and from Helianthus 569 mutant forms have been developed in Bulgaria. Although mutation induction has proven to be an efficient method for generating ornamental plant varieties, Mexico has failed to register ornamental varieties, and there are few reported studies, among which are reports of mutation induction in species such as Tigridia pavonia, P. tuberosa, Euphorbia pulcherrima, Dendranthema grandiflora, H. annuus and Laelia autumnalis. These works have established the foundations for implementing genetic improvement programs by mutation induction and developing varieties adapted to the different conditions of the country, which also have ornamental attributes that meet the quality standards demanded by the international market.