The contribution of mutation induction to crop improvement: Addressing climate change and ensuring food security

For the genetic improvement of species of agricultural importance, it is essential to have a broad genetic base, ensuring sufficient variability to increase opportunities for selecting specific traits of interest in the field. Additionally, the use of techniques complementary to conventional breeding systems is crucial for effectively exploring the available genetic variability. Currently, there are several techniques, such as in vitro culture, genetic transformation, gene editing, marker-assisted selection, and mutation induction, among others. This review aims to synthesize the historical development, current applications, and future potential of mutation induction in crop improvement, with an emphasis on its role in adaptation to climate change and food security. Mutation induction techniques have played a key role in addressing challenges related to food security by promoting the development of new varieties for the agricultural sector in various countries. Through the analysis of the FAO/IAEA Mutant Varieties Database, it was possible to identify how mutation induction has contributed to the development of cultivars adapted to the specific needs of food security and climate. The FAO/IAEA program (https://nucleus.iaea.org), which promotes the use of nuclear techniques in agriculture, has resulted in the release of more than 3404 mutant varieties in 233 cultivated species in 75 countries. In several countries, as indicated in the MVD, the use of mutant germplasm in plant breeding programs has been crucial for adapting crops to new climatic conditions, in addition to meeting the growing demand for food. These advances highlight the potential of mutation induction as an essential tool to address future agricultural challenges, underlining the importance of continuing to invest in nuclear techniques for breeding cultivars adapted to climate change and global food security.