DNA content and variation in chromosome number in plant cells affected by Meloidogyne incognita and M. arenaria.

DNA content of Meloidogyne-induced giant cell nuclei in four host species was determined by Feulgen microspectrophotometry. Nuclei from mature giant cells in pea and tomato averaged 15.8 nd 14.2 times more DNA, respectively, than the 2C values from uninfected root-tip nuclei. Nuclei from broad bean and lettuce showed a mean increase in DNA content of 8.3- and 6.5-fold, respectively, when compared to the 2C values of uninfected root tip nuclei. DNA content of giant cell nuclei was highly variable (coefficients of variation >41%), while DNA content of root tip cells showed little variation (coefficients of variation <8%) (...)