Identification of somatic hybrids
One of the problems in production of somatic hybrids, often, is lack of appropriate methods for identification of these hybrids among the developing regenerants Some of the methods traditionally used, include the following: (i) combining light bleached protoplasts with green leaf mesophyll protoplasts, followed by manual isolation of heterokaryons; (ii) genetic complementation of auxotrophic mutants; (iii) fusion of different antibiotic and/or herbicide - resistant lines derived by plant transformation and (iv) use of hybrid vigour, isozymes, proteins, etc. These methods, however, are time consuming and costly.


