Mutation: Principles, Mutagenesis and Applications in Crop Improvement provides a comprehensive academic treatment of mutation and its application in modern plant breeding. Beginning with the concepts, history, nature, classification and detection of mutations, the book explains how genetic variation can be generated and exploited for crop improvement. It covers physical mutagens, radiation biology, radiation-induced mutations, DNA damage and repair, dosimetry and radiation sensitivity, followed by an extensive treatment of chemical mutagens and chemical mutagenesis.

The book further discusses the evaluation of mutagen effects across M1, M2 and M3 generations, mutagenic efficiency and effectiveness, mutant spectra and mutation analysis. Particular emphasis is placed on mutation breeding applications, in-vitro mutagenesis, selection and validation of mutants, improvement of oligogenic and polygenic traits, and achievements and limitations of mutation breeding. The final sections connect conventional mutagenesis with modern genomics through allele mining and TILLING, demonstrating the continuing importance of induced mutations in precision-oriented crop improvement and functional genomics.

Dr. Divya Mahto is an Assistant Professor-cum-Junior Scientist in the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding at Bihar Agricultural College, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar. She obtained her Master’s degree in Genetics and Plant Breeding from SHUATS, Prayagraj, and her Ph.D. from Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour.

Her research focuses on the genetic improvement of mungbean for early maturity through induced mutation, with the objective of enhancing its suitability within rice–wheat cropping systems. She has authored more than ten research papers, book chapters, and books in the field of genetics and plant breeding. She has also been recognized with the Young Woman Scientist Award and the Best Researcher Award.

Dr. Anil Kumar is an Associate Professor-cum-Senior Scientist in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics at Bihar Agricultural College, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India. He completed his undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral education at Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand.

Dr. Kumar has 17 years of research experience and 13 years of teaching experience in the areas of cowpea, finger millet, oats, rice, lentil, chickpea, pigeon pea, and other fabaceous crops. He has established a Molecular Biology Laboratory in his department with financial support from SERB-DST, HarvestPlus, and CGIAR-funded projects. He has handled 22 university, state, external, and internationally funded projects related to pulses.

He has guided postgraduate students as Major Guide and Co-guide and has published more than 90 research papers, over 30 conference papers, more than 90 articles in Hindi and English, 28 book chapters, 19 authored books, 22 edited books, and several extension materials. His contributions to pulse breeding include the development or release of varieties such as Pant Lobia-3, Sabour Chana-1, Sabour Chana-2, Sabour Chana-3, Pusa Ageti Masoor, and Sabour Masoor-1.

Dr. Kumar has organized national and international conferences and has undertaken scientific visits and training programmes in Beirut, Lebanon, and Bangkok, Thailand, including specialized training at the Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI). He is a life member of several academic and professional societies and a Fellow of SSDAT and FAGL. His recognitions include the Young Scientist Award, Young Scientist Associate Award, Excellence in Teaching Award, Excellence in Research Award, Innovative Scientist Award, Young Plant Breeder Award, and Distinguished Scientist Award.

Dr. Rajendragouda Patil is an Assistant Professor-cum-Junior Scientist in the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding at Bihar Agricultural College, Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar. He completed his Master’s and doctoral degrees in Genetics and Plant Breeding from the University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur, Karnataka.

His research primarily focuses on the development of high-yielding and nutritionally enriched varieties of finger millet and maize with tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. He has authored more than 20 publications, including research articles, research notes, book chapters, and popular articles.

Dr. Neha Rani is an Assistant Professor-cum-Junior Scientist in the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics at Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour, Bhagalpur, Bihar, India. She completed her M.Sc. (Agriculture) from Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, and her Ph.D. from Bihar Agricultural University, Sabour. She has also qualified the National Eligibility Test (NET) in Plant Breeding conducted by the Agricultural Scientists Recruitment Board (ASRB), New Delhi.

Dr. Rani has been actively involved in teaching, research, extension, and training activities for approximately five years. She also has two years of experience in extension programmes at Doordarshan Kendra, Patna, Bihar. She has published one book chapter, 16 research articles, and 13 popular articles. She is a life member of the Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding and has contributed to research published in NAAS-rated journals.

Her academic achievements include the Young Scientist Award, Young Teacher Award, and Best Researcher Award, conferred by various reputed professional societies.

Chapter 1. Mutation: Concepts, History, Classification and Detection

Chapter 2. Physical Mutagens, Radiobiology and Radiation-Induced Mutations

Chapter 3. Chemical Mutagens and Chemical Mutagenesis

Chapter 4. Evaluation of Mutagen Effects and Mutation Analysis

Chapter 5. Mutation Breeding and Applications of Mutagen