An improved method of DNA isolation from plants collected in the field and conserved in saturated NaCl/CTAB solution.

A simple method for isolation of genomic DNA from wild plants sampled in remote field areas is presented. The protocol combines NaCI/CTAB leaf preservation with sorbitol extraction of secondary compounds which often contain inhibitors of Taq DNA polymerase activity. The obtained DNA is suitable for random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis of plant populations as well as for specific amplification of chloroplast DNA sequences. The NaCI/CTAB leaf preservation is a powerful alternative to silica gel dryingbased preservation.