In order to examine the basis for the increased photosynthetic
rates in the somatic hybrids the expression of a
number of photosynthesis-related genes were measured and
compared between the parental and somatic hybrid lines.
Ten photosynthesis-related genes were analyzed
(Fig. 11). Transcripts levels for ndhF, ccsA, psaB and
psaA, were lowest in the wild cotton G. trilobum and were
similar for ycf3 and psbA in the upland cotton Coker 312
and G. trilobum. Transcript levels for all genes were
highest in the somatic hybrids, consistent with the elevated