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:
- Morphology: Plant regeneration is accomplished by protoplast fusion, and the resulting organisms display a range of morphological traits. Hybrid verification can rely on them. The physical characteristics of somatic or sexual hybrids often lie halfway between the two parents.
- Isoenzyme Analysis: The many molecular forms of the enzyme that catalyze the same reaction is known as isoenzymes. It is common practice to use isoenzyme electrophoretic banding patterns to establish hybridity. Somatic hybrids may display isoenzyme bands of certain enzymes that belong to both parents simultaneously and only one of the parents individually.
- Chromosomal Constitution: Counting the number of chromosomes in the cells is a rapid and accurate approach to determine whether they are hybrid. It also demonstrates the ploidy state of the cells.
- Molecular Techniques: Somatic hybrids can be confirmed using species-specific restriction pieces of nuclear DNA that code for ribosomal RNA. Hybrid identification has been carried out using the PCR technique.
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