Somatic variation in micropropagated clones ofCichorium intybus

Summary An experiment aiming to establish whether temporary or persistet somatic variation can arise in clones obtained in vitro by micropropagation has been performed onCichorium intybus. The results point out that persistent modifications of the phenotype can be observed after six cycles of cloning and that when the length of the cloning period is varied these appear to be differential responses of the same genotype to the micropropagation.