Variation in Phenotype and Chromosome Number of Plants Regenerated from Protoplasts of Dihaploid and Tetraploid Potato

Abstract

Abstract An investigation was made on the origin and basis of somaclonal variation in potato. Plants were regenerated from protoplasts of dihaploid and tetraploid potato, and the degree of variation in phenotype and chromosome number was analysed. All the regenerants from dihaploid potato showed variation in chromosome number, while only part of these varied in plant morphology. In tetraploid potato, 60 % of the regenerants showed variation in chromosome number, all of which exhibited phenotypic changes. The data suggest that the explant source and the initial ploidy level of the genotype play an important role in influencing the degree of somaclonal variation.