Question

Bomato is a somatic hybrid between
A. Brinjal and tomato
B. Beetroot and potato
C. Bean and tomato
D. Bean and potato

Answer 1

Hint:- Somatic hybridization is the technique of protoplast fusion of two different plant cells either of the same species or different species to give rise to a new plant hybrid with new features using electric shock or chemical treatment. Somatic hybridization enables plant species or genera to overcome breeding incompatibility as well as provides resistance against diseases and other harmful factors.

Complete Answer:- Hundreds of in vitro studies have been implemented on somatic hybridization on different plant species. Through a fusion of protoplast, the parent genes may combine to other species and develop resistance to several plant disease-producing factors like bacteria, fungi, virus, pests, herbicides, stress factors etc. to protect the plant. The sexual incompatibility of one species may also be recovered through this technique. Somatic hybridization can be achieved in two ways –
 1. Inter-specific fusion and
 2. Inter-generic fusion.

Interspecific hybridization refers to a cross between two different species of the same genus. For example – a fusion between brinjal (Solanum melongena) and tomato (So Solanum lycopersicum) is called bomato. On the contrary, intergeneric hybridization refers to the cross between two different genera under the same family. A hybrid between two cacti of the genus Ferocactus and the genus Leuchtembergia is the example of intergeneric hybridization.

So, from the above options, option “A” is correct, Brinjal and tomato.

Note:- Somatic hybridization does not assure the fertility and viability of the newly produced plant cells. Only the haploid protoplasts are favourable since the diploid protoplasts after fusion may produce amphidiploid cells which are not favourable to exist. Due to many reasons such as somaclonal variations, chromosomal elimination, organelle segregation, etc., the regenerated plants obtained from somatic hybridization sometimes may show variation.