Rapid method for extraction of ready to use fine quality DNA

A rapid and inexpensive procedure for extracting small quantities of good quality DNA are the basic requirement for marker-assisted selection in plant breeding programmes. The available protocols are either time consuming or expensive. Here we report a rapid and relatively inexpensive protocol for extraction of small quantities of good quality DNA from a large number of samples in a given day. The protocol involves use of CTAB buffer and Qiagen tissue lyser. Following this protocol it is possible for one person to isolate DNA from about 384 leaf samples. DNA isolated using this protocol is sufficient for 50–100 PCR reactions. We have shown successful DNA extraction from variety of crop species including rice, wheat, barley, oat, gram, lentil and Brassica. We have used this protocol for MAS in Basmati rice.