Flow Cytometric Based Estimation of Genome Size in Arecanut (Areca catechu L.) Varieties

Abstract

The present work was undertaken with the objective to estimate the nuclear DNA content in arecanut varieties using flow cytometry. Released varieties of arecanut maintained in the field gene bank at ICAR-Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CPCRI), Regional Station, Vittal, Karnataka, were used for the estimation of DNA content by using BD AccuriC6 flow cytometer. Nuclei isolated from leaves of Pisum sativum cv. Citrad of known genome size was used as an external reference standard. Significant differences were observed between the arecanut varieties for 2C DNA content. Among the arecanut varieties, 2C DNA content (genome size) was found to be ranging from 6.025 (2.946 Gb/1C) to 6.710 pg (3.281 Gb/1C), with mean value of 6.472 pg (3.164 Gb/1C). The highest DNA content was recorded in the variety Swarnamangala (6.710 pg/2C or 3.281 Gb/1C), followed by Sumangala (6.695 pg/2C or 3.273 Gb/1C) and Shatamangala (6.623 pg/2C or 3.238 Gb/1C), while the lowest DNA content of 6.025 pg/2C or 2.946 Gb/1C was recorded in the variety Sreemangala. The results of this study indicate the potential of using flow cytometry for studying genome size diversity in arecanut.