Mutation Breeding on Medicinal Solanum Species: Advances, Applicability and Challenges

Medicinal Solanum species, belonging to the Solanaceae family, are extensively utilized in traditional medicine because of their therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticancer activities. Enhancing these species through the integration of conventional breeding techniques with modern biotechnological tools presents promising strategies for developing improved varieties with higher yields, better quality and reduced thorniness. Induced mutagenesis has emerged as a highly effective approach for improving specific traits in these cultivars while preserving their well-adapted genetic backgrounds. This review explores various mutagenesis methods, including physical, chemical and insertional methods, highlighting their efficacy in the enhancement of medicinal Solanum species. It also addresses the challenges and potential risks associated with mutation breeding. Recent advancements in sequencing technologies, such as MutMap, MutChromeSeq and whole-genome sequencing-based mapping, offer unprecedented opportunities for accurately detecting large-scale mutagenesis-induced variations in other solanaceous crops, including tomato, brinjal and chilli. The combination of well-characterized mutant resources with innovative mapping techniques holds significant potential for rapidly improving the quality and yield of medicinal Solanum species. Overall, this comprehensive analysis provides valuable insights for researchers and practitioners involved in the cultivation and enhancement of medicinal Solanum species through mutation breeding techniques.