Advantages of Somatic Hybridization

The advantages are:

  • Somatic hybridization can be performed on young, immature plants.
  • It is now simple to research cytoplasmic genes and how they work.
  • Somatic hybridization was used to transfer genes into plants to provide environmental tolerance against cold and frost.
  • Selective somatic hybrids with quality traits, such as the generation of high nicotine concentration, have been created.
  • In the hybrid cell, the protoplast fusion results in a distinctive nuclear-cytoplasmic combination.
  • It produces novel plants with desirable traits.
  • An alternate technique for creating remote hybrids with desirable qualities considerably across species or genera, which cannot be achieved by the traditional approach of sexual hybridization, is somatic cell hybridization, parasexual hybridization, or protoplast fusion.

What is Somatic Hybridization?

Somatic hybridization is a technique of fusing protoplasts from different plant species to create hybrid plants. It is different from conventional ways involving sexual hybridization because it does not need sexual reproduction. Instead, it combines traits from different plants without being limited by species barriers. In this article, we will cover somatic hybridization notes, steps, and its applications.

Table of Content

  • What is Somatic Hybridization?
  • What are the Stages of Somatic Hybridization?
  • Protoplast Fusion
  • Hybrid Cell Selection 
  • Identifying Hybrid Plants
  • Applications of Somatic Hybridization
  • Somatic Hybridization Examples
  • Advantages of Somatic Hybridization
  • Limitations of Somatic Hybridization

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What is Somatic Hybridization?

Somatic hybridization is a technique of creating a hybrid cell through the in vitro fusion of separate protoplasts, which can then grow into a hybrid plant. Sexual hybridization has long been the preferred strategy for enhancing the traits of domesticated plants. The major limitation of sexual hybridization is that it can only take place between closely related plant species. This limits the modifications that may be made to plants....

What are the Stages of Somatic Hybridization?

Somatic hybridization involves three processes. They are as follows:...

Protoplast Fusion

Since isolated protoplasts lack cell walls, in vitro fusion of these structures is simple. For protoplast fusion, there are no obstacles to incompatibility (at interspecific, inter-generic, or even at inter-kingdom levels). A protoplast fusion that includes combining protoplasts with two distinct genomes can be done naturally, mechanically, or artificially. These are explained below:...

Hybrid Cell Selection

A heterokaryon is produced by the fusion of just 20–25% of the protoplasts. The combination is made up of unfused protoplasts, heterokaryons, and homokaryons. From this varied mixture, methods are developed to choose the hybrid cells. Three choices are available for selection:...

Identifying Hybrid Plants

The initial somatic fusion of two distinct protoplasts must be confirmed as the source of any produced hybrids. The following list includes several methods of identification:...

Applications of Somatic Hybridization

Some of the applications of somatic hybridisation are:...

Somatic Hybridization Examples

Some of the examples of somatic hybridisation are:...

Advantages of Somatic Hybridization

The advantages are:...

Limitations of Somatic Hybridization

The limitations of somatic hybridisation are:...

Conclusion – Somatic Hybridization

Somatic hybridization offers a revolutionary approach to plant breeding. It enables the creation of hybrid plants with desirable traits by fusing protoplasts from different species. Unlike traditional methods, somatic hybridization does not rely on sexual reproduction, thus overcoming species barriers. While it presents numerous advantages such as enhanced genetic variation and the creation of novel varieties, somatic hybridization also faces limitations such as genetic instability and the occasional production of unhealthy plants. Despite these challenges, somatic hybridization remains a promising tool for meeting the growing demands of agriculture and biotechnology in the future....

FAQs on Somatic Hybridization

Which Chemical is Used in Somatic Hybridization?...