A comparison of somaclonal variation in rice plants derived and not derived from protoplasts

Abstract

AbstractTo clarify the effect of the type of in vitro culture on the generation of somaclonal variation, protoplast‐derived rice plants were compared with rice plants derived from suspension culture or primary calli (not derived from protoplasts). Regenerated plants showing polyploid‐like phenotypes appeared at a higher frequency (33–70%) in plants derived from protoplasts than in those not derived from protoplasts (3–6%). In the first progeny (R1) generation of all regenerated plants, 120 of 368 lines (33%) segregated plants with mutated characters such as albino, dwarf and sterile. In quantitative traits, 62 (21%) and 144 (50%) of 290 Rj lines showed shorter culm and lower seed‐fertility, respectively, compared with the control line derived from the selfed seeds of the original cultivar. The frequency of the mutant‐possessing R1 lines among lines derived from protoplasts was not significantly different from those not derived from protoplasts. These results indicate that isolation and culture of protoplasts does not enhance genetic changes other than cytogenetical changes.