DNA extraction method from a seed without damaging to germination ability in maize (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Abstract Background: In order to preserve excellent genetic resources and exploit them to breed better cultivars for global food security, various studies on maize are underway. Maize also provide great materials for genetic studies which are accompanied with genotyping and phenotyping. DNA extraction is an essential process for those studies. Extracting DNA from young leaves in seedling stage is advantageous because it causes less damage to remaining plant which can be further used for phenotypic analysis. Seed DNA extraction is even more advantageous in terms of saving time, labor, space, and cost for germination. Results: We present seed DNA extraction method which does not cause damage the seed’s germination ability. DNA was extracted using CTAB method or a commercial DNA extraction kit from the seed fragment, and the quantity and quality of the DNA were examined. Seed germination was tested for proportional seed cuts at 0%, 10%, 30%, and 50% of the distal end of a seed, proportionally by weight. Extracting DNA from the distal seed fragments resulted in high-quality and sufficient amount of DNA. Germination rates were not significantly reduced when seed cuts were made at 10% or 30% of seed’s weight. Conclusions: The DNA extraction method from seeds can be an efficient way to obtain samples for genotyping and phenotyping, and this method can be applied to high-throughput DNA extraction in maize and possibly to other smaller seeds.