Abstract:The authors report the application of neutral comet assay in the detection of apoptosis in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. ) pretoplasts. The results suggested a close inter-relationship between comet formation and nuclear compacting into densed masses at the nuclear periphery (a typical morphological symptom of apoptosis). Standard detection of hallmarks of apoptosis, including DNA laddering and TdT-mediated biotin-dUTP nick end-Lase Labeling (TUNEL), was also performed in order to conform the reliability of comet assay in the detection of apoptosis in plant protoplasts.