Genome Size Variation in Malus Species

Abstract EN

The nuclear DNA content for 256 different accessions belonging to 26 primary Malus species and 20 species hybrids was estimated by flow cytometry using propidium iodide.

Diploids ranged from 1.245 (M.

tschonoskii) to 1.653 pg per 2C nucleus (M.

florentina).

As our study covered complete phylogenetic and geographic representation, preliminary conclusions between nuclear DNA content and geographical and taxonomic features could be drawn.

The data indicated that species found far from the centre of origin in Asia clustered into separate sections and series and possessed higher DNA content.

These are M.

trilobata and M.

florentina the only two species existing in South-East Europe on one hand; M.

ioensis and 3x and 4x species M.×heterophylla, M.×platycarpa, M.

glaucescens, M.

angustifolia, M.

lancifolia and M.

coronaria—in East and Central North America on the other hand.

A significantly decreased 1Cx DNA content was observed with the increase in ploidy for six species.