Somatic fusion of rice [Oryza sativa L.] cell lines [hyg(r)-philipino 28] and [geneticin(r)(G418(r))-G171] was carried out using electrofusion methodology. Heterokaryons were identified in culture medium supplemented with hygromycin B and G418. The hybrid character, of some of the putative somatic hybrid plants, was confirmed by Southern blot analysis which indicated the presence of the selectable marker genes [hpt, npt II] brought by the two parents of fusion.