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Science Forum Index » Bio Evolution Forum » Fruit created by radiation induced mutation?
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| Guest |
 Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 7:15 am |
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Have any new varieties (?) of fruit been created by radiation induced
mutation? |
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| John Vreeland |
| Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 7:16 pm |
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Guest
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On Sat, 24 Mar 2007 12:15:35 -0500 (EST), michaelrmgreen@yahoo.co.uk
opined:
Quote: Have any new varieties (?) of fruit been created by radiation induced
mutation?
Radiation-induced mutations were experimented on a lot in the 1960's,
though vegetables were the usual subject for experimentation as they
had a much shorter generation time. It can take years for a fruit
seed to germinate and provide new fruit and that is a long time for a
grant of dubious promise.
I doubt much of use came from these experiments in any event. Any
mutations that could be produced with radiation would probably occur
in natural populations anyway. Any gene pool is chock full of such
mutations if enough time is given for them to accumulate. Consider
how easy it is to modify wild types through simple artificial
selection. That works purely by selecting pre-existing mutations.
Though maybe someone with actual experience in the field can correct
my unsubstantiated opinions.
"The Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion." Treaty of Tipoli, signed by John Adams and ratified by unanimous acclaim of the Senate, 1797 |
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| Ron O |
| Posted: Sun Mar 25, 2007 7:16 pm |
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On Mar 24, 12:15 pm, michaelrmgr...@yahoo.co.uk wrote:
Quote: Have any new varieties (?) of fruit been created by radiation induced
mutation?
Beans are seeds, but they come from fruit, and in the 1980s there was
an example of taking a mutation (I believe that it was induced, but it
might have been with EMS or some other mutagen) that turned red beans
into white beans. They did this to make it more platable to the
humans that would benefit from introduction of the red bean, but would
not eat it because it wasn't the same color as their inferior white
bean.
Some cultivars of cucurbits may have been developed this way too. It
just takes outcrossing to get rid of the other detrimental mutations
caused by the mutagens employed. You'd probably be better off
consulting a USDA ARS station involved with plant breeding. Check out
the UC Davis web page for possible links.
Ron Okimoto |
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