APPLICATION OF RAPDS TO DNA EXTRACTED FROM APPLE ROOTSTOCKS

Samples of 15 different rootstocks from mature apple trees (Malus xdom estica Borkh.) with 'Starkspur Supreme Delicious' as the scion were di fferentiated adequately using random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs ). A procedure for extraction of DNA from root material is described. Patterns of DNA from leaf tissue of young trees of 10 of the rootstock s were compared with those from root tissue of mature trees grafted on the same rootstocks and at a different location to reaffirm identific ation of these rootstocks. Similar patterns were obtained for a) root vs. leaf tissue and b) tissue from two locations. Except for one appar ent misidentification (within a single replication), patterns for root tissue of all rootstocks matched those of the corresponding leaf tiss ue.