Mutation breeding, also called variation breeding, is a method that uses physical radiation or chemical means to induce spontaneous genetic variation in plants to develop new crop varieties. “Mutation” is the source of most genetic variation and the motor of evolution. gene inactivation has been successfully employed in determining the function of unknown genes in several plant species. In this approach, sense and antisense copies of a target gene are introduced in order to inactivate the endogenous genes.

Mutation breeding plays a significant role in increasing the genetic variability for desired traits in various food crops. Mutation breeding is used when desired variability is not found in the germplasm of cultivated species. Natural selection operates to bring about evolution of new races and species through the variability created by natural mutations and amplified by subsequent recombination of genes during sexual reproduction. Mutation breeding uses genetic variations induced at the beginning of the plant breeding process to quickly develop large populations of improved crops, which can be further bred until a desired result has been achieved. Plant mutation breeding, also called variation breeding, is a method that uses physical radiation or chemical means to induce spontaneous genetic variation in plants to develop new crop varieties. But the frequencies of the mutants which are desirable are usually low. The EMS-induced mutation is a highly effective method and, therefore, commonly used in crop breeding to develop improved crop varieties. It improves the morphological and physiological characters of collected crops. Mutation breeding can improve the disease resistance of crop plants. Induced mutations can induce desirable mutant alleles in crop plants.

For creating bred variety simply you need variation in order to make selection in between. But if the variation would have been created naturally you would be sure about your selected variety trusted. On the other hand if the variation would have been created artificially as obtaining some mutant or more different variation, than even these mutant seems better in certain characteristics, you will never be sure that they are trustable in gradient, and the risks could be seen in quite a time.

Mutation breeding has had some limited successes, such as dwarf varieties, variations in flower colour for floriculture, etc. However, mutations (random changes) are good at breaking things, as you would expect, not making things. Thus mutation breeding has very limited application and countries which once had active programs such as the USA, UK, Australia, etc., no longer pursue crop improvement via mutation breeding. This is one of many areas where evolutionary expectations have led scientists up the garden path.