INTER-ALU PCR LIKE GENOMIC PROFILING IN BANANA

Alu sequences are a major repetitive element of the primate genome. To date Alu sequences have seldom been reported in plant genomes. We rep ort here an inter-Alu PCR like genomic profiling in banana using a sin gle primer designed from a human Alu sequence. The different Musa spec ies involved in the complex genome of banana cultivars can thus be dis criminated. The use of this technique for monitoring germplasm or geno typing cultivars is discussed.