Modifications of DNA content in sugar beet cells

: In epidermal cells of the cytoledons of sugar beets, Beta vulgaris L., the DNA content per cell can be increased 2-4 fold by means of compensatory growth and other measures of better nutrition, by application of stronger light, or by addition of more moisture to the soil. It decreases with deviations from the optimal growth temperature (22° C) and after lack of nitrogen in the nutritive solution. Differences in DNA content, representing mainly differences in the level of endopolyploidy, result in corresponding differences in the number of plastids in the cells.