Separation of Kentucky Bluegrass Cultivars Using Peroxidase Isoenzyme Banding Patterns

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-H2O2, 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 horseradish 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