DNA-FINGERPRINTING WILLOWS (SALIX L) USING POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION WITH THE M13 UNIVERSAL PRIMER

We describe DNA fingerprinting of willows (Salix L.) by polymerase cha in reaction (PCR). We amplified genomic DNA of 15 putative clones in S alix eriocephala, S. exigua, S. miyabeana, S. rorida and S. sachalinen sis, and in 4 ramets of a clone in each of S. petiolaris and S. erioce phala with the M13 universal primer (5'-TTATGAAACGACGGCCAGT-3'). A tot al of 19 PCR fragments (bands) were observed, but each clone had 4 to 9 bands. Fourteen of the 15 clones had unique banding profiles that di stinguished each other. The remaining clone from S. eriocephala was id entical to a clone of the same species. Banding profile was reproducib le among ramets of the S. petiolaris clone, but minor differences in s taining intensity in 2 of the 6 bands were observed among ramets of th e S. eriocephala clone. A dendrogram of relationships showed that clon es of the same species grouped together.