Somaclonal variation in lily after in vitro cultivation

Somaclonal variation occurring during cultivation of callus from lily has been determined. Scales of L. longiflorum 'Gelria' were induced to start callus formation. The undifferentiated callus was maintained for 3 years at 20 °C in the dark. After this period the callus was still able to regenerate. The regenerants were grown in the greenhouse and from the 400 regenerants obtained 14 plants differed visually. The variation was divers and consisted of coloured or malformed leaves, male sterility and a dwarf mutant. This variation, induced by in vitro cultivation, may be used in plant breeding as a tool to select for desirable plant characteristics such as resistence against diseases