Summary
The purpose of this study was to determine simply and accurately ploidy levels as estimated by changes in nuclear DNA content of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) plants regenerated from microspore-derived embryos. Using flow cytometry, the nuclear DNA content of green (83) and albino (222) plants derived using anther culture of ‘Bobwhite’ and ‘Pavon 76’, and of their reciprocal F1 hydrids was estimated. The average DNA concent of the Bobwhite and Pavon 76 standards was 32.46 and 31.28 per nucleus, respectively. Microspore-derived haploid (3X), doubled-haploid (6X), nanoploid (9X), and dodecaploid (12X) plants contained on average 15.44, 30.56, 45.57, and 60.27 pg of DNA, respectively, at a ratio of 1∶1.98∶2.99∶3.90. The frequency of haploids (43.6%) was similar to that of doubled haploids (43.0%), and much larger than the frequency of endopolyploids [nanoploid (1.3%) and dodecaploid (1.0%)] and various aneuploids (11.1%). In terms of genetic stability, green plants had less chromosomal variation than albino plants. The procedure is suitable for rapid determination of the ploidy levels of wheat microspore-derived plants. The knowledge about DNA content or genome size of plants obtained here provides useful information to plant breeders and geneticists interested in using anther culture.
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Formerly of the Department of Agronomy, University of Nebraska, Lincoln. NE 68583-0915.
Formerly of the Center for Biotechnology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68588.
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Kim, KM., Baenziger, P.S., Rybczynski, J.J. et al. Characterization of ploidy levels of wheat microspore-derived plants using laser flow cytometry. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol -Plant 39, 663–668 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1079/IVP2003464
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1079/IVP2003464