USE OF FLOW-CYTOMETRY FOR RAPID-DETERMINATION OF PLOIDY LEVEL IN THE GENUS ACTINIDIA

Measurement of ploidy levels in the genus Actinidia. using flow cytome try, was the subject of this preliminary research. Compared with other methods (chromosome counts. length of stomata), flow cytometry promis es quicker and easier determination of the ploidy level. The use of th is method in plants produced in vitro from seeds of 'fruiting male' of Actinidia deliciosa revealed the existence of individuals of high plo idy level, probably 9X. In general, these individuals were characteriz ed by low vigor and an abnormally long juvenile per-iod. Plants of thi s ploidy level, which to our knowledge have never before been noticed, do not seem to have any varietal potential.