Rapid and reliable identification of rice genomes by RFLP analysis of PCR-amplified Adh genes

The rice genus (Oryza L.) consists of 24 species with 10 recognized genome types. With the realization of many useful genes in species of wild rice, c ontinuous efforts have been made to understand their genomic composition an d relationships. However, the identification of rice genomes has often been difficult owing to complex morphological variation and formation of allote traploids. Here we propose a rapid and reliable method for identifying rice genomes based on the restriction sites of PCR-amplified Adh genes. The exp erimental procedure was as follows: (i) amplify a portion of Adh1 and Adh2 genes with the locus-specific PCR primers; (ii) digest PCR products with re striction enzymes that distinguish different genomes; and (iii) run the dig ested products on 1.4% agarose gel, and photograph. Using various combinati ons of restriction digestion of the two Adh genes, all of the rice genomes can be identified.