PROTOPLAST CULTURE AND SOMACLONAL VARIABILITY OF SPECIES OF SERIES JUGLANDIFOLIA

Mesophyll protoplasts of species of series Juglandifolia (Solanum rick ii, S. lycopersicoides, S. ochranthum and S. juglandifolium) were isol ated and cultured in liquid nutrient media TM-2 or KM8P. The cell colo nies formed were transferred onto agar-solidified media TM-3 or GM, an d 10 to 15 days later onto TM-4, PRM, MS3ZG, KK or C regeneration medi a. Formation of the shoots for S. rickii and S, lycopersicoides was ob served after 30 to 35 days on regeneration medium. The regenerated sho ots were rooted on hormone-free MS medium. Morphological and cytogenet ic analyses have shown that somaclonal variants might arise in the cou rse of plant regeneration from protoplasts of these species.