Somaclonal Variation in some species of Brassica

The morphogenetic potential of three diploid Brassica species (B. oleracea CC; B.campestris, AA and B. nigra, BB) and three amphidiploid Brassica species (B. juncea, AABB; B. napus, AACC; and B. carinata BBCC) was studied. An assessment of somaclonal variation induced with regard to certain morphological, cytological and biochemical parameters was made in the regenerants. Field performance of the R1 and R2 generation plants with respect to some yield traits was also evaluated. Higher morphogenetic potential was observed in the CC genome bearing species; where as AA, BB genomes alone and in combination showed lower morphogenetic capacity. In 20.5 per cent of the total regenerants studied, cytological abnormalities were observed. Variation in the isozyme banding pattern of peroxidase, malate dehydrogenase and catalase was observed in 13.5 per cent of the total regenerants analyzed. A number of R1 plants showed significantly improved agronomic characters and higher oil content. Consistently high per cent oil content was recovered in four R2 lines of B. napus and two of B. carinata. However, segregation was observed in R2 generation of some selected R1 plants for traits like plant heig