Analyzing sward and plant species make-up of sports and amenity turf, involves analyzing presence of genetic markers e.g. ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase gene in sward sample obtained from sports or amenity turf surfaces

Abstract: NOVELTY - Method for analyzing sward, involves analyzing a sample of sward for the presence of one or more genetic markers, where the one or more genetic markers indicates the presence, identity and/or relative abundance of one or more species of plant. USE - The method is useful for analyzing sward and plant species make-up of sports and amenity turf in sward sample obtained from sports or amenity turf e.g. golf green, cricket playing surface, grass tennis court, bowls green and croquet green. ADVANTAGE - The method simply identifies plants growing in sports and amenity turf surfaces. Technology Focus/Extension Abstract: TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - BIOTECHNOLOGY - Preferred Method: The method involves using sward sample that is obtained from first cut of sward and/or second cut of sward. The second cut is performed within 24 hours of first cut. The second cut is performed at the same cutting height as first cut, or cutting height of less than 2 mm lower than first cut. The sample of sward is obtained from verticut. The method involves extracting DNA from the sample of sward within 48 hours of collection. The sample is stored in DNA extraction buffer within 48 hours of collection. The one or more genetic markers comprise one or more single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The genetic marker is ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase gene (Rbcl), section of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-plastoquinone oxidoreductase subunit 7 (ndhH), trnH-psbA spacer or trnk-r 1 spacer. The method involves analyzing the presence of one or more markers in sample, where the amount of one or more markers indicates the amount of one or more species of plant. The method involves multiplying the amount of one or more markers by a weighting factor to determine the amount of one or more species of plant, where the weighting factor of 2-5 determines the amount of Agrostis capillaris or A.stolonifera, weighting factor of 1-3 determines the amount of A.canina, Festuca ovina, F.rubra, Lolium perenne, or Poa annua, weighting factor of 1-2 determines the amount of P.pratensis, or weighting factor of 1-5 determines the amount of Holcus lanat.