Chromosome Status of Somatic Hybrids - Various somatic hybrids successfully obtained through protoplast fusion. The chromosome numbers of these hybrids indicate that only few have exact number expected in an amphiploid. In view of this, selection will also need to be applied at the cytological level, if true amphiploids need to be obtained:

The variability in chromosome number in hybrids could be due to anyone of the following reasons:
(i) Multiple fusions give a higher chromosome number. In PEG-induced and electro induced fusions, about one third of fusion products result from fusions between more than two protoplasts.