Variation in 2C Nuclear DNA Content of Zoysia spp. as Determined by Flow Cytometry

• DOI: 10.2135/cropsci2009.08.0425
• Publication Date: 2010-06-09T02:24:18Z
• Authors: Brian M. Schwartz; Kevin E. Kenworthy; M. C. Engelke; A. Dennis Genovesi; Rachel M. Odom; Kenneth H. Quesen...
• Keywords: Zoysia japonica; Nuclear DNA; Genome size

Little is known about the variation of 2C nuclear DNA content in zoysiagrass ( Zoysia Willd.). Therefore, a glasshouse study including 20 cultivars and 16 experimental genotypes japonica Steud., Z. macrantha Desv., matrella (L.) Merr., minima (Colenso) Zotov, pacifica (Goudswaard) M. Hotta & Kuroki, pauciflora Mez, select interspecific hybrids was conducted 2008 at Gainesville, FL. Nuclei were stained with propidium iodide, flow cytometry (FCM) analysis laser cytometer. Genotypes from had largest (0.96 pg) smallest (0.77 content, respectively. The observed 0.19 pg spread between species less than reported other tetraploid warm‐season grasses within same species. Results further suggest that midparent values for spp. may be statistically detectable. Zoysiagrasses have one genome sizes but are extremely diverse respect to morphology, growth habit, response abiotic biotic stresses. This information supports large constraint hypothesis small better able adapt environmental changes due lack evolutionary limitations associated amounts repetitive DNA.