Intraclonal Genetic Variation for Protoplast Regenerative Ability Within Solanum tuberosum cv. Record

The potato cv. Record is recognized as a recalcitrant cultivarin tissue culture and attempts in the past to obtain regenerationfrom protoplasts continually failed, despite media and protocolalterations. By sampling a large number of Record tubers, significantdifferences between lines were obtained for regeneration fromleaf discs. Eight such lines exhibiting a range of responseto regeneration from leaf discs were, used in the present studyto examine protoplast culture response. Significant variationwas detected in protoplast plating efficiency and in the numberof regenerants produced. These results are discussed in relationto the exploitation of protoplasts in potato improvement andin terms of the role of tissue culture techniques for the maintenanceof potato cultivars. Solanum tuberosum, cv. Record, potato, protoplasts, intraclonal variation