Disease Resistance: Incorporation into Sexually Incompatible Somatic Hybrids of the Genus Nicotiana

Abstract
Somatic hybrid plants of Nicotiana nesophila and N. stocktonii with N. tabacum (cultivated tobacco) were produced by protoplast fusion. These combinations cannot be achieved with conventional sexual hybridization, yet are important in that the wild Nicotiana species are resistant to numerous diseases. Hybridity was verified by chromosome number, isoenzyme analysis, morphological characteristics, and genetic behavior. Local lesion-type resistance to tobacco mosaic virus has been observed in leaves of these somatic hybrid plants.