A CYTOMETRIC EXERCISE IN PLANT DNA HISTOGRAMS, WITH 2C-VALUES FOR 70 SPECIES

An introduction is given to the literature concerning methods and obje ctives for cytometric DNA analysis of plant nuclei. This area has gain ed relevance with applications in plant breeding and seed production i ndustries, where laboratories unfamiliar with cytometry are adopting t he method. An extensive graphical guide to interpreting DNA histograms and their problems is given. Conversely, cytometry laboratories unfam iliar with plant sciences will find herein a guide, and references, to adapt their methods to plant material. A table of 2C values reassesse d by flow cytometry for 70 plant species, plus the genome composition (GC%) in many instances, is also included.