Analysis of somatic embryogenic-derived somaclones of perennial Helianthusspecies

Genetic variability produced via somaclonal variation is an interesting sou rce for crop breeding, but undesirable when the direct regenerated clones h ave to be used for in vitro clonal propagation or for regeneration of genet ically transformed plants. The aim of the present investigation was to dete rmine the stability of 78 somaclones regenerated via somatic embryogenesis from wild perennial sunflower species. For this purpose phenotypic, genomic and agronomic traits were monitored. The somaclones growth and development was normal and uniform and no significant phenotypic variation was observe d. Cytological stability was determined by ploidy and chromosome analysis. Molecular homogeneity was evaluated by RAPD banding patterns. At the cytolo gical and genomic level, no anomalies could be detected in relation to the control plants. The response to Sclerotinia infection showed no modified pl ant reaction. Somaclonal variation was not detected in somaclones from our plant regeneration system and might be beneficial for mass propagation of s elected elite genotypes and for genetic transformation of the wild sunflowe r species used in breeding programs.