Application of RAPD markers to distinguish genetic diversity in Alisma plantago- aquatica

Research Supervisors:
Dr Nigel Urwin (Farrer Centre), Dr Morley Muralitharan (CSU), Professor Jim Pratley (CSU)

Research Staff:
Nicole Rummery

Funding:
CSU Summer Scholarship 1998

Summary:
Alisma plantago-aquatica, commonly known as water plantain, a species within the Alimataceae family is native to coastal regions of NSW and to areas of Victoria. It is a weed that is becoming an increasing problem to rice farmers in Australia. This project established RAPD analysis as a successful method for identifying genetic diversity between populations of A. plantago-aquatica. Forty-three primers were screened to identify those that were able to amplify sample DNA. Of these, 32 primers were able to amplify the sample DNA. Time constraints and limited sample material restricted the sope of this project, therefore, 7 of these primers were screened to identified primers capable of differentiating between DNA samples. Of these, 5 primers were found to produce differentiating bandig patterns between DNA samples. Analysis of plants within a single location should be performed to determine the genetic diversity within populations of A. plantago-aquatica. Future work focused on herbicide resistant and herbicide sensitive populations of A. plantago-aquatica could be used to investigate correlations between genotype and herbicide resistance.