Somaclonal variation in carotene content of carrot (Daucus carotaL.)

Summary Carrot plants have been regenerated by somatic embryogenesis from different explants issued from aseptic seedlings. The petiole segments are the more embryogenic explants. Spectrophotometry analyses of carotene extracts in taproots of these carrots have led to the identification of some plants with significantly higher content than the control plants grown from seed in varieties 3024C, Tantal, 2902B, Red Core Danvers, Karaf and Boltex, out of 9 analysed.