Variable DNA content of Cyclamen persicum regenerated via somatic embryogenesis:: rethinking the concept of long-term callus and suspension cultures

By flow cytometric experiments in Cyclamen persicum both with propidium iodide (PI) and DAPI (4',6-Diamidino-2-phenylindol)-staining we were able to present (1) a new estimation for the absolute DNA content in the range of 3.17 pg DNA/2C and (2) ploidy abnormalities which were detected in the pathway of somatic embryogenesis. These aberrations might have arisen from ploidy mutations or abnormal polyploidization processes. Morphologically normal somatic embryos contained the smallest proportion of individuals with ploidy abnormalities, but also a regenerated plant in the green house displayed a significantly elevated DNA content. The results are discussed in the framework of future application of in vitro propagation techniques based on regeneration from fastly growing undifferentiated cells like long-term callus and suspension cultures.