Herbicide-resistant somaclonal variants are detected by:
Herbicide resistance is a positive selectable trait best confirmed through functional challenge. Somaclonal populations contain rare cells with modified target enzymes such as glyphosate-insensitive EPSP synthase, acetylated phosphinothricin via PAT, or amplified glutathione S-transferases conferring detoxification. Plating callus or cell suspensions onto medium supplemented with discriminating concentration of respective herbicide imposes lethal pressure, killing wild-type cells by blocking aromatic amino acid synthesis or glutamine synthetase, causing ammonia toxicity. Only resistant clones
Ref: Chaleff & Raytbauer Science 1985 herbicide selection; PubMed 24254045 in vitro selection; NCBI NBK131103 selection systems; Bhojwani herbicide resistance screening.