FUSION OF CARROT AND BARLEY PROTOPLASTS AND DIVISION OF HETEROKARYOCYTES

Abstract

Fusion of protoplasts from cultured cells of carrot (Daucus carota L.) and from leaves of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) by means of polyethylene glycol resulted in the formation of 4-5 fusion products (heterokaryocytes) per 100 protoplasts. When incubated in culture medium, the heterokaryocytes regenerated cell walls and divided. The frequency of division depended on the viability of the protoplasts from carrot cell cultures, specifically, on the mitotic activity of the cells. Fusion of interphase carrot and barley nuclei was detected by differential staining. Synchronized mitosis was observed in heterokaryons containing barley and carrot nuclei.