Non-DNA-replicative setting of guard cells in Spinacia oleracea L.

Abstract

Nuclear DNA content in the guard cells and epidermal cells of Spinacia oleracea L. was measured using Feulgen microspectrophotometry. Guard cells in leaf blade, cotyledonary leaf and hypocotyl retained a constancy of 2C DNA value. On the contrary, epidermal cells had 2C, 4C and 8C DNA value in both leaf blade and cotyledonary leaf, and 2C, 4C, 8C and 16C in hypocotyl. With regard to DNA content, it may be considered that the guard cells are set up in a non-DNA-replicative state, while the epidermal cells in an endopolyploidal DNA-replicative state.