IITA MUSA IMPROVEMENT – MOLECULAR BREEDING STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE (SOP) FOR OFF-STATION BANANA LEAF SAMPLING, HANDLING, AND PROCESSING FOR DNA EXTRACTION

Genotyping involves studying an organism’s genetic makeup based on its DNA. Banana leaves are commonly used for DNA extraction due to their abundance, accessibility, and the relatively high yield of DNA they provide. Proper leaf sampling and handling are important for optimal yield and good quality of the DNA extracted.
Banana experiments may be located near the research station, where the collected samples are taken to the molecular laboratory (hereafter referred to as “the lab”) on the same day for processing. However, banana fields needed for sample collection for DNA extraction may be located away from the research stations (hereafter referred to as “off-station”), where the collected samples cannot be processed right away or kept under cold conditions. This protocol covers the latter situation, where samples collected cannot be processed or stored under cold conditions, and or delivered to the lab on the same day.