THE USE OF REVERSE GENETICS APPROACH IN PLANT GENOMICS

Mutations are origin of novel variabilities. With developing new methods there are new possibilities for plant breeding for desirable characteristics. The aim of this paper is to introduce a method of reverse genetics, particularly TILLING method, and its potential for future scientific work and creating new improved cultivars for both, quantitative and qualitative characteristics. It can be used for plant breeding and getting new information on molecular level. Mutations in TILLING method are induced with chemical reagent ethyl methanesulfonate – EMS. The function of EMS is to cause mismatch in DNA heteroduplex. TILLING can be used in a numerous plant species. EcoTILLING is the method used for studying natural populations. Both of these methods have advantage for not being trans-genetic, but labour and cost effective.