Determining the genome content of ornamental plants using flow cytometry

Genome size is a key genomic trait influencing plant growth, development, and breeding potential. Here, nuclear DNA content of six commonly cultivated ornamental plant species was estimated using flow cytometry using propidium iodide staining. Nuclei were isolated from young leaf tissues and stained with propidium iodide (PI). Chicken red blood cells served as an internal reference standard for genome size calculation. All samples produced high-quality DNA histograms with coefficients of variation below 5%. Genome size considerably varied among the studies species, ranging from 0.302 pg in 0.302 pg in Alocasia wentii to 2.461 pg in Pilea cadierei . Intermediate genome sizes were observed in Clerodendrum chinense , Codiaeum variegatum , Spathiphyllum kochii , and Calathea zebrina . The observed variation suggests genomic diversity in ornamental plants and demonstrates the flow cytometry as a tool, for rapid estimation of genome size.