Affiliation:
1. United States Army Engineer Research and Development Center Environmental Laboratory Vicksburg Mississippi 39180 USA
2. Bennett Aerospace Vicksburg Mississippi 39180 USA
3. Louisiana State University Baton Rouge Louisiana 70803 USA
4. University of Rhode Island Kingston Rhode Island 02881 USA
Abstract
AbstractPremiseTo genetically discriminate subspecies of the common reed (Phragmites australis), we developed real‐time quantitative (qPCR) assays for identifyingP. australissubsp.americanus,P. australissubsp.australis, andP. australissubsp.berlandieri.Methods and ResultsUtilizing study‐generated chloroplast DNA sequences, we developed three novel qPCR assays. Assays were verified on individuals of each subspecies and against two non‐target species,Arundo donaxandPhalaris arundinacea. One assay amplifies onlyP. australissubsp.americanus, one amplifiesP. australissubsp.australisand/orP. australissubsp.berlandieri, and one amplifiesP. australissubsp.americanusand/orP. australissubsp.australis. This protocol enhances currently available rapid identification methods by providing genetic discrimination of all three subspecies.ConclusionsThe newly developed assays were validated usingP. australissamples from across the United States. Application of these assays outside of this geographic range should be preceded by additional testing.
Subject
Plant Science,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics