Improved AFLP analysis of tree species

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) is a high-throughput, molecul ar-marker technique that is used increasingly in a variety of genetic analy ses. Here, the conditions for carrying out AFLP analysis have been establis hed for different tree species, including both angiosperm and gymnosperm tr ees, with genome sizes ranging from 0.54 to 38 pg DNA/2C. Specific paramete rs have been determined to provide informative and reproducible AFLP finger prints of peach (Prunus persica L.), eucalypt, oak, poplar, and loblolly pi ne (Pinus taeda L.). Typically, 80-130 amplified DNA fragments (i.e., loci analyzed per primer combination) were obtained. Subsequently, these AFLP co nditions were evaluated for intra- and inter-specific genetic variability s tudies as well as for genome mapping purposes of woody species. This work d emonstrates that AFLP is a powerful tool in forest tree genetics.