Genome size determination of Eclipta alba and Aloe barbadensis
<p class="Abstract">There is abundant genetic diversity of pharmacologically important plants around the globe and this pool of genetic variation serves as the base for selection as well as for plant improvement. The major cause of such genetic diversity is the variation in their genetic material, as called genome. In the present study, an attempt was made to determine the genome size of <em>Eclipta alba</em> and <em>Aloe barbadensis</em> by flow cytometry using Pisum sativum as a reference standard. The nuclear DNA was calculated as 8.7 pg for <em>E. alba</em> and 9.0 pg for <em>A. barbadensis</em>. The genome size of <em>E. alba</em> and <em>A. barbadensis</em> was estimated to be 4.27 x 10<sup>9</sup> bp and 4.42 x 10<sup>9</sup> bp, respectively. Information on genome size and DNA content of these two pharmacologically important plants would provide a useful tool for future molecular biological investigations.</p><p> </p>