ARS | Publication request: DNA Barcoding in Fragaria L. (Strawberry) Species

Submitted to: HortScience
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: July 20, 2009
Publication Date: July 20, 2009
Citation: Njuguna, W., Hummer, K.E., Bassil, N.V. 2009. DNA Barcoding in Fragaria L. (Strawberry) Species [Abstract]. HortScience. 44(4):1090.

Interpretive Summary: DNA barcoding, a technique designed for identification of species using a short DNA sequence, has been used successfully in the animal kingdom to identify species of birds and fishes. DNA barcoding was designed mainly as a tool for assigning unknown individuals to species. Since 2005, the number of strawberry species at the USDA, National Clonal Germplasm Repository in Corvallis, Oregon, has increased from 15 to 22 following introductions and revisions to the identities of plants in the strawberry collection. The objective of this study was to test DNA barcoding, for verification of strawberry species. Based on this study, DNA sequences suggested for barcoding plants did not contain enough differences to distinguish strawberry species. We conclude that DNA barcoding using tested sequences is not a viable option for identification of strawberry species.

Technical Abstract: DNA barcoding for species identification using a short DNA sequence has been successful in animals due to rapid mutation rates of the mitochondrial genome where the animal DNA barocode, cytochrome c oxidase 1 gene is located. The chloroplast PsbA-trnH spacer and the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) were proposed as potential DNA barcodes for plants. These two DNA regions were sequenced in 22 Fragaria species. Genetic (Kimura 2 parameter, K2P) distances, measured between and within species, overlapped in range, therefore hindering species identification using these DNA barcodes in Fragaria.