Observations on protoplasts of Chinese cabbage and Chinese chive

Observations on protoplasts of Chinese cabbage and Chinese chive

Enzymatic isolation of protoplasts from young tissues of Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis Rupr.) and Chinese chive (Allium odorum L.) has been studied. Different osmotica show variability in quantities of protoplasts. Chinese cabbage gives a good yield of protoplasts (109 cells/g tissue), but Chinese chive is poor (106 cell/g tissue). Spontaneous fusion of protoplasts occurs and its frequency increases with the prolongation of time. Induced fusion of protoplasts by PEG enhances the fusion frequency drastically (50%-70%). Vital staining with neutral red distinguishes between homokaryotic and heterokayrotic fusion. No heterokaryotic fusion occurring between protoplasts from these plants has been observed.