Abstract
Molecular diversity of Frankia was assessed directly from the root nodules of Hippophae salicifolia naturally occurring in North Sikkim. Amplicon restriction patterns (ARPs) were developed by digesting 16S-ITS-23S amplicons with RsaI. Three ARPs were detected, showing diversity among strains of Frankia that nodulate Hippophae. This was confirmed by sequencing one amplicon each for the three ARPs. Therefore, ARP can be used as a tool for screening amplicons for nucleotide sequencing.