Somaclonal variation in rice after two successive cycles of mature embryo derived callus culture in the presence of NaCl

Two successive cycles of mature embryo-derived callus culture separated by one cycle of sexual reproduction of R-0 regenerated plants were performed u sing two rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivars in order to gain information upon the nature of somaclonal variation in this species. Plants regenerated aft er one cycle of tissue culture exhibited higher variability and lower perfo rmances than those of initial cultivar. A second cycle performed using R-1 embryos as explants showed that the cellular component of salt resistance i n terms of growth and regenerating abilities selected during the first cycl e could be transmitted to the progenies. The extent and the nature of somac lonal variation depended on the identity of R-0 mother plant and culture co nditions, somaclonal variation being strongly reduced in some families obta ined from salt-treated calli.