Question

The hybridisation between naturally incompatible plants like Potato and Tomato can be achieved through

• A. Artificial pollination
• B. Somatic hybridisation
• C. Conventional breeding
• D. Mutation breeding

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Somatic hybridization fuses protoplasts (cell walls removed) of distantly related species (e.g., Pomato from potato + tomato).
Overcomes sexual incompatibility barriers.

Somatic hybridization is a process in plant biotechnology that involves the fusion of two different plant cells (somatic cells) to create a hybrid plant with characteristics from both parent plants. Unlike traditional hybridization, which involves the fusion of gametes (sperm and egg cells), somatic hybridization bypasses sexual reproduction by fusing somatic (non-reproductive) cells, typically from the tissue or cells of two different species or varieties.

Other options:

• (A) Artificial pollination: Fails due to incompatibility.
• (C) Conventional breeding: Requires compatible species.
• (D) Mutation breeding: Alters genes within a species.

Correct Answer: (B) Somatic hybridization

Answer 2

Somatic hybridisation fuses protoplasts (cell walls removed) of distantly related/non-crossable plants (e.g., Potato + Tomato = "Pomato").

(A) Artificial pollination: Fails due to natural incompatibility barriers.

(C) Conventional breeding: Requires sexually compatible species.

(D) Mutation breeding: Induces random mutations, not hybridisation.