Genome size variation in three Saccharum species

species are autopolyploids with ploidy level ranging from 5 to 16, and are considered the most complex genomes among crop plants. In present study, the genome sizes of 28 accessions, 15 accessions, 28 accessions, and 12 hybrids spp. were analyzed using flow cytometry. The estimated genome sizes of accessions ranged from 7.50 to 8.55 Gb with an average size of 7.88 Gb. In , the estimated genome sizes ranged from 7.65 to 11.78, reflecting the variation of ploidy level. In , the estimated genome sizes varied widely, with a range from 3.36 to 12.64 Gb, also due to variation of ploidy level. The average monoploid genome size of was 985 Mb, and that of was 843 Mb. The results also showed that genome sizes were correlated with chromosome numbers, and based which, that the unknown chromosome numbers of some accessions could be predicted. The estimated genome sizes of germplasm also helped identify some mislabeled accessions and yielded information critical for sugarcane breeding and genome sequencing programs.