ABSTRACT
Cell fusion is a process which is integral to plant development; the most prominent processes are egg fertilization and the differentiation of both water-conducting vessels and articulated laticifers. Protoplast fusion and formation of heterokaryocytes open the way to somatic cell hybridization. Protoplast fusion is foremost a procedure for the generation of fusion products, hybrid cells, and plants. A respectable list of hybrid plants obtained by protoplast fusion would attest to the perfection of the procedure established over the last decennium and practiced. Membrane fluidity is equally important in protoplast fusion. Heterospecific protoplast fusion requires the approach, adhesion, and coalescence of two different types of protoplasts. Areas of cytoplasmic continuity due to coalescence of membranes and fusion appears to commence at the edge of the adhering surfaces; most of the cytoplasm of the fusion protoplasts remains separated by the agglutinated membranes at this stage.
