Selecting in Higher Plant Cell Cultures. A Discussion

Abstract

Summary Procedures of somatic cell genetics provide additional methods for manipulation in plant breeding which must, however, be standardized to be used effectively and successfully. The expectations connected with the employment of selection in higher plant cell cultures have not been fulfilled yet. Undoubtedly, this is mainly due to the lack of adapted selection procedures. Cell cultures of higher plants possess qualities that have to be taken into account when elaborating selection procedures: (1) cell suspensions mostly contain cell colonies; (2) higher plant cell cultures are characterized by genetic instability; (3) cell cultures do not form expected traits, but exhibit traits in another form or develop new ones; (4) useful individual plants have to be regenerated from single cells in most cases; (5) plating efficiency is reduced; (6) spontaneous selection processes may diminish the range of traits selectable from cell cultures. These problems as well as advantages and drawbacks of selection procedures in current use are discussed.