A rapid and simple method for small-scale DNA extraction inAgavaceae and other tropical plants

Abstract

This protocol permits the simultaneous extraction of clean DNA from many samples with little reagent waste, thus decreasing the cost of analysis per sample. The procedure is rapid, permitting the processing of 80–100 samples per day. Using this protocol, we analyzed naturally propagated and micropropagated populations of henequen and otherAgavaceae species using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP). Agaves have succulent leaves with a content that is high in fiber and chemical compounds. Therefore, this protocol should work for other tropical and subtropical plant species. The protocol involves precipitation and resuspension of DNA 3 times at the end of the preparation; this increases DNA digestibility and the sharpness of AFLP bands.