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.
By fusing somatic cells to create a viable hybrid, somatic cell fusion can go beyond the species barriers for plant improvement that is faced in sexual hybridization. Somatic hybridization joins separate protoplasts together in a lab setting to produce a hybrid cell that will eventually grow into a hybrid plant.
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