Flow cytometric DNA ploidy estimation of perennial grasses from the seed collection of Georgikon, Hungary

Abstract Background Monitoring genome size variance is essential in plant breeding for maintaining and improving plant varieties, as well as in studies of natural grasslands. There is still limited cytological data available, such as DNA quantity or ploidy level, for temperate grass species of swards. Methods We performed a flow cytometric genome size analysis on propidium iodide‐labeled nuclei from 16 accessions of 13 perennial grass species, using pea seedlings as a control for genome size. Results The 2 C genome size range of the investigated perennial grass accessions was more than fivefold, ranging from 4.31 to 22.69 pg DNA per nucleus. For four accessions with known ploidy levels, our measured genome sizes matched the data reported in the referenced sources. We also estimated the ploidy level of four accessions with unknown status by comparing our genome size results with existing data. We present the previously established ploidy status along with the 2 C DNA results for Agrostis gigantea Roth and Festuca valesiaca Schleich. ex Gaudin for the first time. Conclusions An expanded genome size database would enable the rapid determination of the so‐called DNA ploidy of taxa with unknown cytogenetic status.