Mini-review: Current Applications of In Vitro-Induced Somaclonal Variation for Plant Genetic Improvement, with Emphasis on Advances in Pineapple

Abstract Plant genetic improvement integrates conventional breeding with advanced biotechnological approaches to enhance traits such as yield, disease resistance, and stress tolerance. Among these, in vitro -induced somaclonal variation—genetic and epi-genetic alterations arising during tissue culture—has emerged as a valuable tool for crop improvement. This variation can lead to novel phenotypes suitable for selection and propagation. Recent studies have demonstrated its utility in crops such as sugarcane, rice, banana, potato, wheat, tomato, barley, chrysanthemum, soybean, and maize. This review distinguishes itself by providing the first integrated evaluation of somaclonal variation applications across major crops alongside a detailed case study of pineapple, a species seldom emphasised in prior reviews. As one of the most widely cultivated tropical fruits with significant commercial value in both fresh and processed markets, pineapple plays a vital role in the agricultural economies of many developing countries. We highlight results from somaclonal variants derived from the Red Spanish cultivar, including P3R5 and Dwarf, which exhibited significant morphological and physiological differences. Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism confirmed genetic divergence, with Dwarf showing enhanced water-use efficiency and antioxidant activity. These findings underscore somaclonal variation’s potential as a complementary strategy to conventional breeding, contributing to crop diversification and agricultural resilience.