AFLP-based identification procedures for woody ornamentals

Within the European Community traded ornamental plants have to fulfil standard quality requirements. Among these correct nomenclature and identification of the cultivar are important criteria. Until now control of authenticity of the produced plant material is based only on morphological descriptions. This causes difficulties especially when identification has to be done in wintertime or on juvenile plant material. Recently new DNA-based techniques have offered possibilities for fast characterisation and control of authenticity of a plant. A highly reproducible standard procedure for AFLP-based identification and control of authenticity of vegetatively multiplied woody ornamentals was developed using Acer, Tilia, Syringa and ornamental Prunus, and Pyrus as test genera. Starting from true to type plant material originating from nuclear stock plants a database of fingerprints patterns were compiled. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that between most cultivars of all species the genetic distance was high enough for correct identification. Further more the protocol for DNA extraction and analysis starting from winter buds was optimised.