Evaluation of Genome Variation from Clones from Crossbreeding Hippeastrum × chmielii with Selected Hippeastrum hybridum Cultivars

Chromosome counts and DNA content analyses are of tools used in studies of organismal variability that contribute to the breeding progress of ornamentals. The aim of this study was to determine the ploidy level and genome size of 20 Hippeastrum genotypes using Feulgen staining, DAPI staining, and flow cytometry. Different ploidy levels were identified. Within the population, there was one diploid and three triploids, and the remaining were tetraploids. The DNA content increased with the ploidy level: 32.63 pg in the diploid 43.68–47.08 pg in triploids, and 58.57–62.23 pg in tetraploids. The presence of a possible triploid–tetraploid chimera was detected but not confirmed by chromosome counts. The information gained may be useful in planning breeding efforts in the genus.