RE: Ploidy Analysis -- If you want to check a plant

Dear Hosta Open folks,

The news of my untimely demise is premature. :-) I've been off all lists for nearly two years, trying to focus on studying molecular biology to be able to better answer genetics questions from Jim Hawes, et. al., as well as other interested parties.  (Jim asked, "Why is a tetraploid any better than a diploid?", ages ago and I'm still searching for this answer.  It has kept my brain rather well entertained but now terms like AFLP, cpDNA, cpSSR, SNP, PCR, etc. no longer stump me.   

I am getting ready to run another batch of Hosta samples through a flow cytometer to check DNA content.  This is one of the procedures that Ben Zonneveld has used to analyze Hosta.   The results help to ascertain whether a plant is diploid, triploid, tetraploid, or possibly hexaploid (as may be the case with Eagle's Nest).  For those familiar with Ben's publications, you already know how this information can be helpful to understand more about the genetics of a plant.  From what I know, one cannot analyze ploidy just by feeling a leaf for its "substance".  

I expect this will take place in the latter part of August, following the meeting of The Hosta Hybridizers group, August 16.  The cost will be $11.00 per sample.  You'll receive a single page printout with details of the test results.   You'll also receive accolades from me for being interested in things scientific and advancing our knowledge base on Hosta. 

This is a service for those Hosta hybridizers and growers who simply what to learn more about their plants.  If such an analyiss would be of interest, please contact me and we'll discuss whether a sample needs to be shipped.  For some common plants, this won't be necessary.  For others, express shipments would be required.  

Sincerely,
Andrew Lietzow
Des Moines     






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