Question

Write a short note on somaclonal variation.

Answer 1

Somaclonal variation is the genetic variability generated during the tissue culture cycle in plants. It results from pre-existing variability in the explant, tissue culture-induced variability, somatic recombination, chromosomal changes, and transposon activity. Somaclonal variation has been used to develop disease-resistant and improved varieties in important crops like sugarcane, potato, wheat, rice, and brassica. This method helps in obtaining new genotypes with desirable traits for crop improvement.