DNA Extraction from Dry Seeds for RAPD Analyses

Abstract

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) has emerged from biotechnological research as a practical genetic identity determinant useful in plant breeding, seed production, and seed testing programmes. This report describes a DNA extraction procedure from dry seeds of maize (Zea mays), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), soyabean (Glycine max), wheat (Triticum aestivum) and red clover (Trifolium pratense) that can be successfully employed in subsequent RAPD amplification of DNA fragments. The technique also extracted DNA from dry peanut (Arachis hypogaea) seeds, but no amplification fragments were observed following RAPD amplification. This procedure is inexpensive, simple, fast, avoids the use of growing plant tissue, and is applicable to a number of crops.