Molecular Studies to Evaluate Variegation of Philodendron var. Birkin - Are Genetic Mutations Responsible for Variegation in Philodendron Birkin?

Plant tissue culture and molecular genetic techniques were used to analyze the instability of the genome in philodendron var. \u27Birkin\u27. This plant has variegated, white, green, and greenish-red leaves (that have lost their variegation) on the same plant. Did genetic mutations occur in meristematic sectors of variegated leaves that have reverted to green coloration, or is it an epigenetic change?  PCR and sets of RAPD plastid primers were used to determine if the presence or absence of a PCR product correlated with differences in leaf color and variegation (white, green-white, variegated, reddish green or green leaves). A DNA isolation procedure was optimized to extract PCR-quality plastid DNA from Philodendron leaves. A modified DNA extraction procedure (BABEC) was used to isolate plastid DNA. It resulted in a high yield of DNA as measured by the Nanodrop system. PCR was performed with eight different RAPD plastid primers (GB07, GB8, OPA19, OPA22, OPB22, OPC08, OPC12, RAPD primer #1, RAPD primer #2). Differences in PCR products were observed for five primers, while two primers resulted in no difference in PCR products. This indicated that genetic mutations resulted in differences in leaf color and variegation. We are not excluding the possibility that epigenetic changes also play a role in variegation, however, this has not yet been analyzed. These results could prove useful for breeding ornamental traits and introducing improvements into the genus Philodendron