Using DNA fragments to measure genetic variability within a natural stand of wild rice in northwestern Wisconsin

Abstract

Understanding site criteria for the preservation of genetic variability in American wild rice (Zizania palustris) is necessary if healthy wild rice populations are to remain viable. Leaf samples were collected on a single day, from a wild-grown stand of approximately 45 acres location in northwestern Wisconsin. Characteristics of each plant and site criteria were recorded at the time of collection. Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms (RFLP) was used to assess genetic variation.