Leaf mesophyll protoplasts of Nicotiana tabacum (nitrate reductase deficient mutant) were fused with cell suspension protoplasts of albino Petunia inflata in an electric field. Hybrid cell colonies were selected for nitrate reductase proficiency and chlorophyll synthesis. Five hybrid plant lines, regenerated from the selected calli lines, were analysed by electrophoresis, number of chromosomes and morphological characters. Somtic hybrid plants showed both parent patterns in the isozymesof isoleucine aminopeptidase and esterase. The hybrids had the expected chromosome number of 62 and exhibited an intermediate floral morphology when compared with the parents, but plant height and leaf arrangement were similar to N. tabacum.