Landscape and Nursery - Genetic Mutations and Reversions

Abnormalities in woody plants may be due to genetic mutations or reversions. The following is a short article on the subject.

Genetic mutations and reversions

Genetic anomalies are prevalent in the plant world and often garner much attention. For example, seedling growers often find mutants in their nursery beds. Albino seedlings are common seedling mutants. Because they lack chlorophyll, these seedlings quickly die off once they exhaust energy reserves from the seed. However, many mutants are stable and sustain growth. These stable mutants can exhibit unique form, foliage, flower, stem and other characteristics that warrant their development and introduction into the trade. For unknown reasons, some of these mutant cultivars exhibit a tendency to produce shoots that revert to their species type. Genetic reversions are fairly common on dwarf Alberta spruce and Harlequin Norway maple. To maintain the cultivar characteristics, genetic reversions need to be pruned out quickly and completely when they are observed.

Genetic reversion on dwarf Alberta spruce.

Information and photo from a section of "Abiotic Plant Disorders - Symptoms, Signs and Solutions A Diagnostic Guide to Problem Solving" by Robert E. Schutzki and Bert Cregg, Departments of Horticulture and Forestry, Michigan State University Michigan State University. Go to http://www.ipm.msu.edu/cat08land/pdf/9-19abiotic.pdf for the full factsheet with photos.