Comparison of fruit and leaf DNA extracts for AFLP and SSR analysis in peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch)

Genotype identification with molecular markers for quality control or protection of breeders' rights may be performed in different situations. While the typical test is based on materials, usually leaves, obtained directly from the plant, there are circumstances that may require the use of other tissues, like the analysis of fruits collected in a storage facility or on the shelf of a supermarket. A method for DNA extraction from peach fruits has been developed and used for cultivar fingerprinting with the AFLP markers obtained with nine primer combinations and seven SSR markers. Results using leaf DNA have been compared with those obtained with fruit DNA. Three replicates of 18 peach varieties have been analysed for both tissues. Leaf and fruit DNA produced essentially identical results for both AFLPs and SSRs. However, consistent differences were observed between leaf and fruit AFLPs, affecting a few amplified DNA fragments some of them polymorphic. Inconsistencies between different replications were observed and recorded for AFLP markers.