Identification using DNA
Establishing the identity of plant varieties and/or cultivars is becoming increasingly important. Naktuinbouw offers the possibility to establish the identity of material using DNA fingerprinting technology.
DNA
The carrier of genetic information (DNA) is built up of four different building blocks. The sequence of these building blocks forms a code, which is unique for each individual. A DNA fingerprint (bar code) can be made based on this code. Various DNA fingerprinting techniques can be applied to identify varieties and/or cultivars of both plants and pathogens. The techniques used mainly by Naktuinbouw are AFLP® (Keygene N.V.) and SSR.
Genetic relationship
Investigating the extent of similarity (or variation) of the DNA code of varieties or cultivars reveals the degree of the genetic relationship (or diversity). When the DNA in samples differs, this is referred to as a marker or polymorphism. The more pieces of DNA that can be tested, the better the comparison and therefore the more reliable the results concerning a genetic relationship are. For more information about identification using DNA please refer to Identification with DNA in the laboratory.
Variety Tracer
Variety Tracer has been especially developed to investigate possible instances of second cropping, suspected infringement of Plant Breeders' Rights and patents and ‘Essential Derived Varieties’ (EDVs). This product makes a concept available which can be used to resolve (legal) disputes about identity. The power of Variety Tracer is the combination of knowledge, independence, the possibility of morphological testing and genetic (DNA) testing. For more information about Variety Tracer please refer to Variety Tracer: The tracing concept for cases of infringement.
If you have a concrete problem which could be resolved using DNA fingerprinting and/or morphological testing, please contact the Naktuinbouw specialists using the application form Variety Tracer. You can also contact them for questions of a general nature.
Track and Trace of plant pathogens
A new application of the DNA fingerprinting techniques at Naktuinbouw is identifying plant pathogens at isolate level. This makes it possible to identify the relationships between infections of various origins. It also attempts to track how a pathogen spreads and to possibly trace the source of the outbreak. How this actually works in practice is illustrated by this film. More information about this new application can be found in Track and Trace in plant disease outbreaks.
Identification of Cmm / Xcc isolates using AFLP
The AFLP analysis of isolates of plant pathogen bacteria and the comparison of the AFLP profiles, mutually or with profiles stored in the database, provides insight into the genetic relationship between the isolates that were found. The results can provide more information about the links between the various isolates found.
For the purpose of analysis one or more pure cultures are supplied, accompanied by a Laboratory submission form. DNA is isolated and an AFLP with 4 primer combinations is carried out. The results are published in a report, which includes the dendrogram.
Fees
You can find more information about fees in our price-list under 'Variety Identification'.
