Somaclonal Variation in Plants Regenerated from Callus and Protoplasts of Taro cv. 'Yatsugashira'

Characters of plants regenerated from callus and protoplasts of taro (Colocasia esculenta Schott cv. Yatsugashira) were studied. Many green compact cell masses (calloid) and small number of yellow friable calli were formed by culturing segments of etiolated stem on Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented with 30 g･liter-1 sucrose, 1 mg･liter-1 2,4-D and 2ip. Friable calli were proliferated by subculturing on the same fresh medium, and then they were suspension-cultured in a liquid medium. Protoplasts were isolated from these suspension cells. Shoots were regenerated from calloids, friable calli and protoplast derived-calli by transferring them to MS medium supplemented with 30 g･liter-1 sucrose, 0~2 mg ･liter-1 NAA and 2 mg･liter-1 BA or 2 ip. These shoots formed roots after being transferred to basal MS media. Plantlets were acclimatized and grown in the field. Original 'Yatsugashira' formed many shoots from the main corm, whereas 2 of 4 plants regenerated from calloid formed a single shoot from the main corm. Plants regenerated from friable calli were dwarf type and grew slowly. plants regenerated from both friable calli and protoplasts formed larger number of shoots than original 'Yatsugashira'.