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A rapid means of sex identification inSilene latifolia by use of flow cytometry

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Abstract

Sex identification in dioecious plants using nonflowering material would have broad applications in both basic and applied research. We present a method using flow cytometry for diagnosing the sex of the dioecious speciesSilene latifolia Poiret (Caryophyllaceae) by means of sexual differences in nuclear DNA content and base-pair composition. Males have a significantly larger genome, attributable to the known sex-chromosome heteromorphism. Males and females also differ in the AT/GC composition, attributable to differences in non-recombining portions of the sex chromosomes. The two measures enable assignment of individuals to sex with a combined error rate of 9%. These results forS. latifolia indicate useful directions for future research into sex diagnostics for other dioecious species.

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Abbreviations

CRBC:

chicken red blood cells

ddH2O:

double-distilled H2O; abbreviations of several stock solutions are defined inSolutions Required

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, 08855-1059, Piscataway, NJ, USA

    Denise E. Costich & Thomas R. Meagher

  2. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, 08855-0789, Piscataway, NJ, USA

    Edward J. Yurkow

Authors
  1. Denise E. Costich
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  2. Thomas R. Meagher
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  3. Edward J. Yurkow
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Costich, D.E., Meagher, T.R. & Yurkow, E.J. A rapid means of sex identification inSilene latifolia by use of flow cytometry. Plant Mol Biol Rep 9, 359–370 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02672012

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