Flow cytometric analysis of sugar-beet seeds different in vigour

The nuclear replication stages in different tissues of dry mature sugar-beet seed were determined using flow cytometry. The following samples were analysed: (a) whole seed ball, (b) true seed removed from the pericarp, (c) true seed without radicle, (d) radicle. In all the cases most cells were arrested in G(1)/G(0) phase of cell cycle. Nevertheless, the presence of cells arrested in G(2) phase was observed. The highest G(2)/G(1) ratio was found in the radicle. The seed lots of three sugar-beet varieties, PN Mono 1, Jastra (both 2 x) and Maria (3 x), different in vigour (low, medium and high vigour for each variety) were investigated in order to study a correlation between vigour and G(2)/G(1) ratio in the radicle. A significantly higher G(2)/G(1) ratio for seed of low vigour was obtained suggesting that flow cytometry can be used for identification of the low vigour seed lots which need special treatment in order to improve their quality.