A rapid inexpensive method for the isolation of restrictable mitochondrial DNA from various plant sources.

A simplified method for the isolation of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of several plant species from either coleoptile or tissue cultured cells is described. The procedure does not require gradient ultracentrifugation or organic solvent extractions (such as phenol, chloroform, ether, etc.). Protoplast isolation is not required for the release of organelles from cell suspension cultured cells. The entire procedure can be performed in a single day and employs differential low speed centrifugations for isolation of mitochondria and differential precipitations for the recovery of restrictable DNA.