The gender/sex testing that can be used to detect the gender in cannabis plants. Here are the steps for conducting sex/gender tests for cannabis using a PCR:
Collect plant tissue sample: Collect a small tissue sample from the cannabis plant in question. The tissue should be fresh and contain both leaves and stems.
DNA extraction: Extract DNA from the plant tissue sample using a DNA extraction kit. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to obtain high-quality DNA.
PCR reaction setup: Set up a PCR reaction using specific primers designed to amplify a region of the Y chromosome, which is only present in male plants. The PCR reaction should also include DNA polymerase, dNTPs, buffer, and water. The reaction mixture is usually prepared in a PCR tube or 96-well PCR plate.
PCR amplification: Run the PCR reaction on a thermal cycler machine, following the manufacturer’s instructions for cycling conditions. The cycling conditions typically include an initial denaturation step, followed by a series of annealing and extension steps, and a final extension step. The amplification products will be specific to the Y chromosome and will only be present in male plants.
Gel electrophoresis: Separate the PCR amplification products on a gel electrophoresis apparatus. Load the PCR products into wells in an agarose gel, along with a DNA ladder. Apply an electric field to the gel to separate the PCR products by size. The Y chromosome PCR products will be of a specific size and will only be present in male plants.
Visualization: Visualize the PCR amplification products using a gel imaging system or UV light. The male plants will show a distinct band of the expected size, while female plants will not have this band.