Culture selected somaclonal variation in five Triticum aestivum L. genotypes

Somaclones (R₃ and R₄ generations) regenerated from five winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes were evaluated for variation in agronomic and morphological characters. Immature embryos were used as initial explant material. Comparisons for plant height, top internode length, spike length, number of seeds per spike and 100 seed weight were made between the somaclones and their parents. Some morphological variations of stem and spike characteristics were registered which demonstrate that plant height and spike length can be changed by using immature embryo culture. The results obtained may be considered a biotechnological contribution to wheat plant improvement. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.