CR UK manager: M. Gilmour
DNA fingerprinting of cocoa enables the unambiguous identification of important or interesting plants. All current methods of genetic identification are based on scoring the position and/or the number of DNA bands when separated on a gel. This process can be technically complex, time consuming and usually requires access to expensive laboratory equipment. Research at Reading University focuses on producing a new system of fingerprinting that is based only on the presence or absence of elite bands. This approach has several distinct advantages:
1. It is inexpensive and quick
2. It is technically simple
3. It requires only basic laboratory facilities
4. It is reliable
5. It allows identification of huge numbers of clones
6. The potential value of the methodology to the cocoa industry is discussed.
Back to Research Issues