Mutation Breeding: An Underutilized Strategy for Improving Finger Millet Productivity and Nutritional Quality

Maltase Mutanda^1*Sandiswa Figlan¹Nemera Geleta Shargie²Eastonce Tendayi Gwata³

• ¹Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa
• ²Agricultural Research Council - Grain Crops Institute, Private Bag X1251, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
• ³University of Venda, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Agriculture, Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa

Finger millet is a climate-resilient cereal notable for its exceptional nutritional properties, yet it remains underutilized among other factors due tomainly because of its narrow genetic diversity and slow breeding progress. The loss of genetic variation from prolonged directional selection further hampers the development of improved cultivars suited to changing climatic conditions. Mutation breeding, through the use of physical and chemical mutagens has demonstrated efficacy in generating novel genetic diversity and enhancing desirable traits in finger millet. This review highlights (i) the role of mutation breeding in expanding genetic variability with emphasis on improving grain yield and nutrient composition; (ii) mutagenesis techniques and their application in developing elite mutant lines; and (iii) integration of mutation breeding with advanced omics technologies for efficient screening and target trait selection. Combining mutation breeding with advanced molecular approaches provides a strategic pathway to accelerate the development of high-yielding and nutrient-rich finger millet mutants.