通过组织培养产生的植物变异,为培育抗病或其他优良特性的新品系提供了可能。 研究者发现,用这种方法诱导的许多植物并不是纯系,它们的变化范围很大,在某些情况下甚至超过不同品系杂交所产生的变异。实验室技术有时能把这些变异引向选育的方向,例如增加抗病性的方向。这种“新”特性不仅能保持在成年植株中,而且能遗传给后代。 这种现象被称为“体细胞无性系变异”(somaclonal variation)。至今尚无人能肯定它是“为什么”或“怎么样”发生的, Plant variability through tissue culture offers the possibility of developing new lines that are disease resistant or otherwise superior. The researchers found that many of the plants induced by this method are not pure lines, they vary widely and, in some cases, even outweigh the variation produced by cross-breeding of different strains. Laboratory techniques can sometimes direct these variations to the direction of breeding, such as increasing the direction of disease resistance. This “new” trait can not only remain in adult plants but also pass on to offspring. This phenomenon is called “somaclonal variation.” So far no one can be sure it is “why” or “how” happen,