Genomic background selection to reduce the mutation load after random mutagenesis

Abstract

Random mutagenesis is a standard procedure to increase allelic variation in a crop species, especially in countries where the use of genetically modified crops is limited due to legal constraints. The chemical mutagen EMS is used in many species to induce random mutations throughout the genome with high mutation density. The major drawback for functional analysis is a high background mutation load in a single plant that must be eliminated by subsequent backcrossing, a time and resource-intensive activity. Here, we demonstrate that genomic background selection combined with marker-assisted selection is an efficient way to select individuals with reduced background mutations within a short period. We identified BC1 plants with a significantly higher share of the recurrent parent genome, thus saving one backcross generation. Furthermore, spring rapeseed as the recurrent parent in a backcrossing program could accelerate breeding by reducing the generation cycle. Our study depicts the potential for reducing the background mutation load while accelerating the generation cycle in EMS-induced winter oilseed rape populations by integrating genomic background selection.

Inbreeding Effects on the Performance and Genomic Prediction for Polysomic Tetraploid Potato Offspring Grown at High Nordic Latitudes

“…It will be worth finding adverse mutations, particularly when they have been ineffectively purged because of the limited recombination in vegetatively propagated crops, while their most recent crossbreeding kept masking them in a heterozygous state [ 20 ]. Karunarathna et al [ 21 ] suggest using genomic background selection to select offspring with reduced harmful mutations in a relatively short period in polyploid and asexual crops. Indeed, recombination and further selection reduce genetic load in crops.…”

Inbreeding effects on the performance and genomic prediction for polysomic tetraploid potato offspring grown at high Nordic latitudes

“…It will be worth finding adverse mutations, particularly when they have been ineffectively purged because of the limited recombination in vegetatively propagated crops, while their most recent crossbreeding kept masking them in a heterozygous state [18]. Karunarathna et al [19] suggest using genomic background selection to select offspring with reduced harmful mutations in a relatively short period in polyploid and asexual crops. Indeed, recombination and further selection reduce genetic load in crops.…”

Green Revolution to Gene Revolution: Technological Advances in Agriculture to Feed the World

“…Conventional breeding techniques have their disadvantages, such as (1) uncontrolled genetic mutations, (2) the need for the parental plants to be closely related to produce offspring, and (3) the laborious and time-consuming procedure of crossing and backcrossing hybrids to obtain the elite lines [ 5 , 10 ]. Unlike conventional methods, modern biotechnology tools provide a more specific and controlled way of altering plant DNA or proteins.…”