GENETIC EVALUATIONS OF IN VITRO CONSERVED EMBRYOGENIC CALLI OF LITCHI

Genetic variation within in vitro conserved embryogenic calli of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) was investigated using the methods of chromosome analysis and RAPD. The results indicated that there were different variations on chromosome numbers and molecular level in the materials conserved by slow growth methods, comparing with the material induced newly. Both at the molecular level and the chromosome numbers the biggest variation lied in the materials conserved in the medium supplementing with 20 mg L^-1 PP₃₃₃ at 15°C. The least variation was the materials conserved in the medium of 3/4 MS at 25°C or at 15°C.