SATURATED NACL-CTAB SOLUTION AS A MEANS OF FIELD PRESERVATION OF LEAVES FOR DNA ANALYSES

Details of a method for preserving leaves for subsequent DNA analyses using a solution that is saturated (obviating precise field weighing of chemicals) with both NaCl and CTAB are presented. Since the dry ingredients are easy to obtain and transport, the method can be utilized even at very remote sites. Results from fresh versus preserved leaves of Podophyllum, Polyalthia (3 spp.), and Taraxacum demonstrate that DNA suitable for restriction fragment analysis can be obtained from leaves that have been stored in the solution for up to one month at ambient temperatures and then frozen for over one year at -20-degrees-C (ultracold storage at -70-degrees-C is not necessary). Degradation of DNA with this new method appears to be less for some taxa than with previously proposed DNA extraction methods using dried leaves. Analyses of DNA from leaves collected at remote rain forest sites are demonstrated.