Grass cultivar identification by sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

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Abstract
The banding pattern of seed storage proteins resulting from sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) of extracts from bulked seed samples has been used to distinguish species and cultivars within the genera Lotium and Festuca. Perennial (L. perenne L.) and Italian (L. multiflorum Lam.) ryegrasses were readily differentiated, and distinctive banding patterns were obtained for seed proteins from a range of cultivars and varieties of each, some very closely related. These patterns were independent of site, year, or generation of seed production. Fescue species differentiated were F. pratensis Huds. (meadow fescue), F. arundinacea Schreb. (tall fescue), and F. rubra L. (creeping red and Chewings fescues). The 2 types within F. rubra could be distinguished. SDS-PAGE of bulked seed samples offers a rapid method for distinguishing cultivars of Lotium and Festuca during seed certification, for checking for genetic shift or contamination in cultivars d.u~ng seed multiplication, as well as for IdentIfymg unknown or wrongly named lines. Seed protein banding pattern has potential as a tool for taxonomic classification and could also be used as an adjunct to the more traditional characterized in distinguishing cultivars for Plant Vanety Rights.