What is somatic hybridization – Explain the steps involved in the production of somatic hybrids?
The process of fusion of two protoplasts from the somatic cells of two different varieties or species of a plant under sterile on a suitable nutrient culture medium condition is called Somatic hybridization. For example, tomato which is produced by fusion of protoplast of tomato & potato is a somatic hybrid. The steps involved in the production of somatic hybrids are: - 1. First the protoplasts from two different varieties of plants are isolated that are having a desirable character. 2. The cytoplasm of two protoplasts then undergoes fusion resulting in the mixing of cytoplasm. In this fusion, even after fusion of cytoplasm the nuclei of two protoplasts may or may not fuse. The fusion here requires a suitable agent called fusogenic, PEG, or polyethene glycol. 3. The hybrid protoplast produced will then synthesize a new cell wall around it under favourable conditions. This hybrid cell will act as a single cell & later undergo division that results in the formation of callus. 4. The callus which is regenerated is then transferred to a new culture plate that contains the suitable culture media. In this culture media, the callus divides and then results in the formation of roots and shoots by the process of organogenesis.
