Distribution of mitochondrial plasmid-like DNA in cultivated rice (Oryza sativa L.) and its relationship with varietal groups

Summary Mitochondrial (mt) plasmid-like DNA was found in most of more than 100 rice cultivars (Oryza sativa L.) by the use of 0.7% agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE). The DNA varied in molecular weight and number. By electron microscopy, small circular DNAs of different sizes could be detected in addition to the DNAs of high molecular weight, even in cultivars in which mt plasmid-like DNA was not detected by AGE. The detection of the mt plasmid-like DNAs by AGE did not depend on their presence or absence, but on their high stoichiometry. The relationship between cytoplasms with mt plasmid-like DNAs and varietal (for example, Indica rice) groups was close. The geographical distribution of cytoplasms is discussed.