Improved AFLP analysis of tree species

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) is a high-throughput, molecular-marker technique that is used increasingly in a variety of genetic analyses. Here, the conditions for carrying out AFLP analysis have been established for different tree species, including both angiosperm and gymnosperm trees, with genome sizes ranging from 0.54 to 38 pg DNA/2C. Specific parameters have been determined to provide informative and reproducible AFLP fingerprints of peach (Prunus persica L.), eucalypt, oak, poplar, and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.). Typically, 80-130 amplified DNA fragments (i.e., loci analyzed per primer combination) were obtained. Subsequently, these AFLP conditions were evaluated for intra- and inter-specific genetic variability studies as well as for genome mapping purposes of woody species. This work demonstrates that AFLP is a powerful tool in forest tree genetics.