Somatic hybridization is the process of fusion of protoplast of different varieties or species of plant on a suitable nutrient medium in vitro to develop a somatic hybrid.
Procedure:

• Single cells from selected plants are isolated.
• Cell walls of these cells are digested by the enzymes cellulase and pactinase to expose the marked protoplast.
• Naked protoplast are isolated from plasma membrane.
• Isolated protoplasts fused to obtain hybrid protoplasts under sterile condition in special culture medium.
• Hybrid protoplasts obtained are cultured in a suitable medium to form new plant.
• Example of Somatic Hybridization: Pamato, produced by fusion of protoplast of tomato and potato plants.