Flow cytometry and sorting of protoplasts from carrot cell cultures reveal two cell subpopulations with different morphogenetic potential

Microscopic and flow cytometric analysis of protoplasts derived from carrot (Daucus carota L.) cells in culture revealed two different cellular subpopulations that differ in their light-scattering properties and in the emission of red autofluorescence. The two subpopulations were sorted on the basis of scattering properties and cultured independently. Subpopulation 1, characterized by higher side scattering (SS) values, had a higher cytoplasm/vacuole ratio and developed numerous proembryogenic masses (PEMs). Sorted on the basis of its lower SS values, subpopulation 2 was characterized by more vacuolated cells with higher red autofluorescence and was unable to develop PEMs.