A simple and efficient method for isolating genomic DNA from endomycorrhizal spores.

A procedure for rapid isolation of genomic DNA from spores of endomycorrhizal fungi is described. Isolation of high molecular weight DNA relies on the lysis of freeze-dried spores and extraction of DNA using mixed alkyl trimethyl ammonium bromide and an excess of proteinase. DNA greater than 30 kb was successfully isolated from Glomus mosseae, Glomus intraradices, and Glomus etnuicatum using less than 600,000 spores. All DNA preparations were suitable for restriction analysis, hybridizations, and cloning.