Duckweed Molecular Identification Service

We are pleased to expand our facility’s capabilities by offering academic, commercial, and public Duckweed Strain Identification & Barcoding Services.

Due to their simplified, reduced morphology and high phenotypic plasticity under different environmental conditions, distinguishing between duckweed species visually can be incredibly challenging even for expert taxonomists. Our laboratory provides precise, DNA-based molecular genotyping to deliver definitive species and strain-level identification for your work.

Service Options:
Value
TBP Amplicon Barcoding
Plastidic Amplicon Sequencing
Price
$250/strain
$350/strain
Service Description
Rapid, gel-based species and hybrid identification using the intronic regions of the tubulin gene in the duckweed genome as the barcode target.
Sequence-level validation (atpF-atpH and psbK-psbI) cross-referenced with global databases
Best Uses
Rapid identification of Lemna species, resolving visually identical or cryptic wild clones, and mapping interspecific hybrids
Direct nucleotide sequencing of standard chloroplast markers, confirming species lineage, and generating data required for global repository registration
Deliverable
​Tubulin gene amplicon profile from PCR analysis using TBP primer sets
atpF-atpH barcode sequence/
​psbK-psbI barcode sequence

​* Note on Formal Documentation & Certificates: Our facility operates strictly as a research and characterization repository. We do not generate analytical certificates, formal laboratory reports, or signed compliance documents.

What Customers Receive: The Data Profile

Your results will be provided as a digital report containing the following standardized metrics for your sample: 
Category
Provided Data 
Taxonomic ID
Name of most likely species
Molecular Markers
atpF-atpH barcode sequence, psbK-psbI barcode sequence, and/or
​Tubulin gene amplicon profile from PCR analysis using TBP primer sets
Collection Profile
Original collection date, specific geographical location data
​(Country, State/Province, City/Town) 
Literature Link
Associated manuscript information (Title, Journal, Authors),
if applicable 

Two Ways to Work With Us

Whether you are analyzing a local strain or sourcing material for a new project, we accommodate both options: 
Option A: Submit Your Own Wild/Unknown Sample
​
If you have collected a fresh sample that you need identified, please follow these steps:
  1. Isolate & Cultivate: To ensure genetic purity, you must first isolate a single frond from your wild collection.
  2. Determine Genus: Use the Morphological Identification Key below to verify the genus of your sample.
  3. Grow Out: Grow a generation of healthy daughter fronds completely derived from that single initial frond to ensure we receive a single, uncontaminated strain for analysis.
  4. Prepare for Shipping: Gather the fronds grown from your single-frond culture and wrap them securely in a clean, damp paper towel.
  5. Ship: Place the damp paper towel setup inside a sealed, leak-proof container and ship it to our facility following standard biological material transit guidelines.
​Data Return: We run the genotyping and return your standardized Data Profile. If your clone is unique, we can formally register it with the RDSC.
Option B: Order Identification of a Strain from our Collection
​
If you are working with a strain from the RDSC collection that has not yet been formally identified using modern techniques, you may request for us to barcode a sample that we currently have in stock.
  • Submit the order form and provide the relevant RDSC identification number.
  • No need to submit a physical sample, as we will use plant material directly from our collection for the barcoding protocol.
  • Data Return: We run the genotyping and return your standardized Data Profile.​

Morphological Genus Identification Key
​

​Before submitting a wild strain, use this primary screening guide adapted from the International Steering Committee on Duckweed Research and Applications (ISCDRA) to determine your sample's genus: 
1. Genus Spirodela
  • Root Count: 7 to 21 roots per frond (do not count the cumulative roots of an entire cluster!).
  • Key Feature: Many, but never all, of the roots perforate (pierce through) the scale-like leaflet.
  • Size: 1 to 2 cm large; roughly 1–2 times as long as wide.
2. Genus Landoltia
  • Root Count: 2 to 7 roots per frond (rarely more than 7).
  • Key Feature: All roots perforate the scale-like leaflet. Look for prominent papillae (small bumps) along the median line of the frond surface.
  • Size: Normally not larger than 1 cm; 1.5–2 times as long as wide.
3. Genus Lemna
  • Root Count: Exactly one single root per frond.
4. Genus Wolffiella
  • Root Count: Completely rootless.
  • Key Feature: Fronds are flat with distinct air spaces. Daughter fronds emerge from a terminal flat pouch at the base of the mother frond.
5. Genus Wolffia
  • Root Count: Completely rootless.
  • Key Feature: Fronds are distinctly three-dimensional (globular, cylindrical, or boat-shaped). Daughter fronds emerge from a single terminal conical cavity at the base of the mother frond. Colonies normally consist only of one mother and one daughter frond. 
Looking for more taxonomic depth? For a comprehensive breakdown of duckweed identification, download the full Duckweed Forum newsletter, or see the select section on species identification below!

​

Sample Submission Guidelines & Requirement

​To ensure optimal DNA extraction and accurate genotyping, all incoming physical shipments must strictly adhere to the following checklist:
  • Purity Requirement: Samples derived from wild strains must be grown out from a single isolated frond prior to shipping. This prevents mixed-species or mixed-clone sequencing errors.
  • Packing Material: Fronds must be shipped wrapped gently in a damp paper towel.
  • Biosecurity & Permits: All shipments must comply with local, state, and federal agricultural transit regulations. Detailed packaging instructions and address labels will be provided upon order confirmation.