Gametoclonal Variation
In the previous chapter, we described somaclonal variation, which originates in tissue culture experiments and can be profitably utilized for improvement of economic traits in crop plants. Similar variation can also be observed among haploid plants (having gametic chromosome number), developing  from cultures derived from anthers or microspores. Since this variation is available among plants with gametic chromosome number, it is popularly described as Gametoclonal variation.

The utilization of Gametoclonal variation differs from that of somaclonal variation in the following respects : (i) recessive mutation will be immediately expressed while somaclones need to be selfed in some cases to allow expression of variation; (ii) chromosome number needs to be doubled in selected gametoclones. The Gametoclonal variation is actually utilized in hybrid sorting during the use of haploids for plant breeding purposes.