Comparison of small-scale methods for the rapid extraction of plant DNA suitable for PCR analysis

We present results from a comparison of six methods for rapid DNA extraction from leaf and other plant tissues. We have used samples from six plant species in our study, including both crop species and their wild relatives. The success of the methods is assessed by PCR of the DNA using conserved primers, and the applicability of the different methods to particular species and tissues is assessed. The speed, reliability, convenience, and potential for further improvement of the methods are also discussed.