The correlation between the chromosome variation in callus and genotype of explants of Arabidopsis thaliana

Twelve callus lines of Arabidopsis thaliana were derived from four types of explants excised from diploid plants of two ecotypes (Columbia and Wilna) and autotetraploid plants of the Wilna ecotype. Cytogenetic analysis of the chromosome variation in particular callus lines was carried out for primary culture and callus during 5 months of culture. Ploidy levels of interphase nuclei were estimated by counting the number and size of chromocentres and nuclei of interphase cells. The first polyploid cells in all callus lines were observed during callogenesis. In primary culture the ploidy level ranged between 2 and 15x (10-75 chromosomes). The frequency of polyploid cells was higher in the 5-month old callus culture, but the ploidy level was the same. In the callus lines derived from autotetraploid plants, cells with reduced chromosome number appeared quite frequently along with diploid and polyploid cells.