Identification of roots from grass swards using PCR-RFLP and FFLP of the plastid <Emphasis Type="Italic">trn</Emphasis> L (UAA) intron

Background  

The specific associations between plant roots and the soil microbial community are key to understanding nutrient cycling in grasslands, but grass roots can be difficult to identify using morphology alone. A molecular technique to identify plant species from root DNA would greatly facilitate investigations of the root rhizosphere.