Mutation breeding in Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don: An Overview

Induced mutagenesis is best approach for creation of genetic variability but most of interest is paid towards crop plants with only a few exceptions. But even widely used medicinal plants could receive a little attention in this direction. Catharanthus roseus is an important plant medicinal plant yielding antihypertensive alkaloid ajmalcine and anticancerous alkaloid vincristine and vinblastine. Despite of considerable work had been done on biotechnological aspect of C. roseus alkaloid production but relatively little efforts has been made for its improvement by mutation breeding approach. The aim of this review is to summarize the all efforts of mutation breeding which were made for the improvement of Catharanthus roseus. Keyword: Catharanthus roseus, Mutation Breeding, Alkaloids.