Abstract Detail
Ecological Section Carlson, Kitrina [1], Shrestha, Archana [1]. Tissue culture and characterization of genetic diversity in a threatened plant species, Opuntia fragilis. The Fragile Prickly Pear Cactus (Opunita fragilis) is a geographically wide ranging cactus with isolated populations throughout the Midwest, including Wisconsin. Research efforts to determine genetic diversity of this threatened population have been hampered by the inability to extract DNA from cactus cladodes due to high levels of extra cellular polysaccharides. Historically researchers have collected plant tissue samples from roots or fruit in order to assess plant genetic diversity in this genus; these methods are both invasive and time-consuming. The objective of this work was to develop a less invasive and more rapid method for analysis of genetic diversity by using plant tissue culture to generate callus tissue from the Opuntia cladodes. Callus tissue is an undifferentiated mass of cells that theoretically should not contain high levels of extracellular polysaccharides. In this work callus was successfully generated in basic Murashige and Skoog (MS) media containing NAA and BPA. These cells were harvested for DNA extraction. The extracted DNA was used to characterize the genetic diversity between cactus populations from six different locations around the Midwest using RAPD analysis. The results of this project could lead to a more ecologically friendly way to determine genetic diversity in threatened or endangered plant species.
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1 - University of Wisconsin Stout, Biology, 203C Jarvis Hall, Menomonie, WI, 54751, USA
Keywords:
Opuntia fragilis
RAPD
Genetic diversity
tissue culture.
Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for Sections
Session: P
Location: Ball Room & Party Room/SUB
Date: Monday, July 28th, 2008
Time: 12:30 PM
Number: PEC001
Abstract ID:44 | 
