Separation of Kentucky Bluegrass Cultivars using Peroxidase Isoenzyme Banding Patterns¹

Abstract

The peroxidase isoenzyme banding pattern of 15 Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis L.) cultivars was investigated for use in identification. Isoenzymes were separated by polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis, stained with benzidine‐H 2 0 2 , and the relative intensities of the bands evaluated with a densitometer. Cultivar separations were made on single seedling samples at the 1% level of confidence using band number, mobility, and intensity ratios. Overall variability of the procedure was evaluated using a horeradish peroxidase standard and the effects of seedling age and seedlot determined. Of the 15 cultivars, 11 could be separated individually, whereas the remaining 4 were grouped into two pairs. Band mobilities for the standard and the cultivars varied 1 to 3%, whereas intensity ratios varied 9% for the standard, and 5 to 20% for most cultivars. Neither seedlot, seedling age, nor leaf position on the same seedling affected the peroxidase isoenzyme banding pattern.