Molecular characterization of duckweeds at the level of clones, species, genera and subfamily by amplified fragment length polymorphism and plastidic DNA sequencing

• Applicant: Privatdozent Dr. Klaus-Jürgen Appenroth
• Subject Area: Evolution and Systematics of Plants and Fungi
• Term: from 2007 to 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 56849529

Duckweeds (Araceae-Lemnoideae) are a small group of plants (37 species) with increasing importance in biomonitoring (since 2006 an ISO protocol exists) and phytoremediation. Because of the great reduction of most characteristics of these plants, identification of species on a morphological level is a challenge even for specialists. Therefore, molecular markers should be developed and applied. Approximately 150 clones with confirmed identity from all genera and species of the duckweed group will be characterised by amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and by sequencing three plastidic DNA regions (tmL - trnF, tmS - trnG, and rp/16) to reach the following goals: (1.) Development of an effective method to determine the identity of newly isolated plant samples concerning the species or to confirm their identity. (2.) Molecular characterisation (bar coding) of duckweed clones for application in biomonitoring, phytoremediation and genetic transformation or to confirm their clonal identity. (3.) Application of the obtained data in order to test and improve the present knowledge of phylogenetic relationships in Araceae-Lemnoideae.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants