Exploitation of Somaclonal and Gametoclonal Variations for Plant Improvement 1. Introduction Plant tissue culture often induces genetic and epigenetic variations among regenerated plants. These variations, when stable and heritable, can be exploited as a source of novel traits for crop improvement. Somaclonal variation: Variation arising in plants regenerated from somatic cells cultured in vitro. Gametoclonal variation: Variation arising in plants regenerated from gametic cells (anther, pollen, ovule culture). Both provide additional genetic variability beyond conventional breeding. 2. Somaclonal Variation 2.1 Definition Somaclonal variation refers to genetic variation observed among plants regenerated from somatic tissue cultures, such as callus, suspension cultures, or explants. Term coined by Larkin and Scowcroft (1981). 2.2 Sources of Somaclonal Variation Chromosomal changes Aneuploidy Polyploidy Chromosome rearrangements Gene mutations Point mutations Insertions and deletions...
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