Somaclonal Variation

Somaclonal variation is defined as genetic or epigenetic changes that arise in vitro between clonal regenerants and their corresponding donor plants. The genetic changes are cytogenetic abnormalities and alterations to specific sequences of DNA; epigenetic changes are alterations of gene expression without changes to DNA sequences. Somaclonal variation, independent from the mechanisms involved, has been reported for a number of plant species. The occurrence of somaclonal variation in tissue culture has a negative effect on the rapid production of clonal plants of elite cultivars, but may promote the production of novel horticultural crop genotypes. An improved understanding of the mechanisms of variation in tissue culture, specifically epigenetic variation, may be a potential tool in producing cultivars adapted to meet the growing demand for food.