ABSTRACT
Cell fusion in animals is an important analytical method, but cell fusion in plants could not be considered until large-scale isolation and regeneration of plant protoplasts was possible. Due to the absence of a cell wall, two protoplasts can be made to fuse together and form a heterokaryon. While cell fusion in animals has remained an analytical tool, protoplast fusion in plants followed by recovery of plants from a fusion product, due to the inherent totipotent nature of plant cells, has opened new vistas in plant improvement. For routine application there is a need to learn more about the process of fusion, selection of heterokaryon, and regeneration of plants from fusion products. The chapter is concerned with the current state of knowledge about these aspects of protoplast technology. The achievements of somatic cell fusion are highlighted and information about genetic analysis of somatic cell hybrids is given in brief. The possibilities of new gene combinations through protoplast fusion are discussed.
