Qualitative Genetics and Utilization of Mutants.

Qualitatively inherited traits and mutants have provided the first markers used to map the cotton genome (Gossypium L.), and they have contributed significantly to cotton improvement. In this chapter, recently described morphological markers are reviewed, a comprehensive listing of markers is updated, the integration of morphological markers with molecular marker maps is summarized, and the use of qualitative traits in breeding is discussed. The role and contributions of induced mutants to genome mapping and cotton improvement efforts is reviewed. The induction of mutants through ionizing radiation and chemical mutagenesis is discussed, and mutation breeding methods are reviewed. A summary of germplasm created through mutation breeding and the traits that have been improved is given.