Production of Cybrids in Rapeseed (Brassica napus)

Protoplast fusion produces cells that contain a mixture of the DNA-containing organelles (nuclei, chloroplasts, and mitochondria) from both fusion parents. This chapter describes the production of rapeseed (Brassica napus ) fusion-product cells where one of the nuclei is eliminated. In the absence of selection pressure, the remaining chloroplast/mitochondrial mixture segregates randomly as the cell divides, eventually creating different nuclear/chloroplast/mitochondrial combinations. These novel nucleo-cytoplasmic combinations are called cytoplasmic hybrids or “cybrids.”