Book excerpt: Molecular cloning and DNA-based analysis have become part of every molecular life science laboratory. The rapid adoption of DNA-based techniques has been facilitated by the introduction of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which has made cloning and characterization of DNA quick and relatively simple. PCR is virtually part of every variation of the plethora of approaches used for DNA fingerprinting today. Plant DNA Fingerprinting: Methods and Protocols aims to bring together the different currently available genome-based techniques into one repository. This volume contains detailed protocols for the preparation of plant genomic DNA, fingerprinting of plants for the detection of intra-species variations, the use of DNA barcoding, as well as methods for the bioinformatic analysis of data. Also included are several discussions on the broader issues of genome-based approaches in order to provide a sound understanding of the principles of these methods. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Plant DNA Fingerprinting: Methods and Protocols is tailored principally for those who seek to augment their current methods of plant analysis and quality control using genome-based approaches as well as for scientists and researchers in different plant sciences.