Spontaneous and induced loss of chromosomes in slow-growing somatic hybrid calli of Solanum tuberosum and Nicotiana plumbaginifolia

Abstract

Rate and extent of spontaneous and induced chromosome loss have been determined at the callus level of somatic hybrids of mutants of Solanum tuberosum and Nicotiana plumbaginifolia. AEC (amino ethyl cystein) resistance in potato and Nitrate-Reductase deficiency in N. plumbaginifolia have been used as genetic markers and chromosome morphology as a cytological marker. In this combination, development of hybrid callus was late and slow. Only a limited number of non-regenerable hybrid calli have become available. Chromosome loss could clearly be established in these hybrids from loss of markers and from chromosome cytology. Loss of markers occurred independantly.