Somatic hybrids obtained by fusion between Poncirus trifoliata (2x) and Fortunella hindsii (4x) protoplasts

Somatic hybrids were obtained by the symmetric fusion of embryogenic callus cells from tetraploid ‘Mame’ kumquat [ Fortunella hindsii (Champ.) Swing.] and mesophyll cells from diploid trifoliate orange [ Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.]. Southern blot analysis of three regenerants revealed that they carried specific rDNA fragments from both fusion partners, thereby confirming their hybridity. In contrast, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and chloroblast DNA (cpDNA) were unidirectionally transmitted from the callus parent without any evidence of recombination. No differences in the restriction fragment patterns of rDNA, mtDNA or cpDNA could be detected among the regenerants. Flow cytometry showed that two regenerants were hexaploids, as expected, but that one was pentaploid, probably due to elimination of chromosomes prior to the regeneration of this plant.