An effective method of DNA isolation from the mature leaves of Gossypium species that contain large amounts of phenolic terpenoids and tannins.

Purified and unstained nuclei were isolated from the leaves of several Gossypium species (diploid and tetraploid) by means of a citrate buffer (pH 5.0), Triton X-100 (5%), and a reducing sugar (1M glucose). DNA, previously unobtainable, was then extracted from the nuclei by conventional means. Comparisons of final DNA yield were made between three methods of purification: namely, the standardized ribonuclease procedure, hydroxyapatite chromatography and equilibrium density centrifugation in cesium chloride. The latter method produce the lowest, yet purest, yield of DNA for renaturation studies in Gossypium.