Genome size determination in peronosporales (Oomycota) by Feulgen image analysis

Genome size was determined, by nuclear Feulgen staining and image analysis, in 46 accessions of 31 species of Peronosporales (Oomycota), including important plant pathogens such as Bremia lactucae, Plasmopara viticola, Pseudoperonospora cubensis, and Pseudoperonospora humuli. The 1C DNA contents ranged from 0.046 (45. 6 Mb) to 0.163 pg (159.9 Mb). This is 0.041- to 0.144-fold that of Glycine max (soybean, 1C = 1.134 pg), which was used as an internal standard for genome size determination. The linearity of Feulgen absorbance photometry method over this range was demonstrated by calibration of Aspergillus species (1C = 31-38 Mb) against Glycine, which revealed differences of less than 6% compared to the published CHEF data. The low coefficients of variation (usually between 5 and 10%), repeatability of the results, and compatibility with CHEF data prove the resolution power of Feulgen image analysis. The applicability and limitations of Feulgen photometry are discussed in relation to other methods of genome size determination (CHEF gel electrophoresis, reassociation kinetics, genomic reconstruction) that have been previously applied to Oomycota.