Protoplast-derived plants in the glasshouse were scored for phenotypic parameters, including plant height, tiller number, days to flowering, length and width of flag leaves and leaf 1ength:width ratio. Panicle length and number of primary branches, the number of spikelets per panicle and pollen viability were also recorded. The number of tillers was determined 6 months after transfer of plants to compost; the vegetative growth pe- riod was taken as the period between potting and the time when the first flower opened