GEL-ELECTROPHORESIS FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF PLANT-VARIETIES

The use of various types of gel electrophoresis for distinguishing between and identifying plant varieties is well established, This review describes how different electrophoretic techniques [native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), sodium dodecyl sulphate PAGE, isoelectric focusing and two-dimensional methods] have been utilised in a wide range of crop species. The fact that there are different types of plant variety, varying in genetic structure, is emphasised, and the way in which this influences the choice of technique is discussed. Other factors which need to be borne in mind when discussing identification in its broad sense are also outlined. Some practical applications of electrophoresis in this area are mentioned and finally future trends for the use of electrophoresis in plant variety identification studies are considered.