FORWARD GENETICS
Forward genetics refers to the identification and characterization of the gene that is responsible for the mutant phenotype, the goal of reverse genetics is to examine the effect of induced mutationor altered expression of a particular gene and to understand the gene function (Ahringer, 2006). Forward and reverse genetics approaches are used to determine the function of genes. Schematic diagram depicting forward and reverse genetic approaches Both approaches begin with the development of a suitably mutagenized population .Mutagen choice and dosage affect the spectrum and density of induced genomic mutations. Mutagenesis of multi-cellular tissues such as seed result in the first generation being a genetic mosaic because each cell carries unique mutations. Self-fertilization, when available, is used to make plants non-chimeric .Traditional or forward genetics involves phenotypic evaluation and selection of novel plant phenotypes. Plants wi...