DNA plant sexing tests?

[Daintree]

So, I see that there is a DNA plant sexing test for cannabis. 

http://www.medicinalgenomics.com/dna-based-plant-sexting-test/

I have contacted a couple of the "partner labs" on the Medical Genomics website, explaining that I want to test some trees (dacryodes edulis and Sclerocarya birrea), but I have not heard back.

Anybody know if the labs can test other plants as well? 

Thanks!

Carolyn

[Daintree]

Well, Murphy's Law - got a nice email from the folks at Medical Genomics this morning, shortly after I posted the first question!

Short answer -
If the DNA of a particular species has been sequenced, and some samples of known males and females can be provided, they could develop a test for that particular species.

But horticulture is like pharmaceuticals, labs go where the dollars are.  So if a hobby grower hits the lottery and pays to have the DNA of marula and bush butter sequenced, then pays to have the test developed, then "woo hoo!".

Oh well.  It was a nice dream while it lasted.

Carolyn 

[BrianL]

Yeah you'd need to know which genes are involved in sex determination.  Then sequence for presence or absence I guess.   Comparison of a known male and female genome and looking for the differences is the first step.

Finding the genes /system is the expensive part.  Doing the test once you have it on a sample is relatively cheap. 

[jfarmer]

I am looking to develop sex tests to help you all out! I will write down these tree names and see what I can come up with.

Jackson Farmer
Farmer Freeman

We started doing cannabis sex testing but I have been learning more and more about other dioecious plants, and I would really like to help you all too!

[Daintree]

Cool! What lab do you work for?

[jfarmer]

Cool! What lab do you work for?

I started my own lab. farmerfreeman.com based in Washington DC

[Daintree]

Excellent!