DNA fingerprinting, estimation of molecular genetic diversity, marker assisted breeding and molecular diagnostic tools are the need of the hour for sugarcane crop improvement. Efficient extraction of genomic DNA (gDNA) free from polysaccharides, polyphenols, RNA and other major contaminants is a key to all these molecular activities. We present herewith, a modified DNA extraction protocol that has been optimized for isolating gDNA from endergonic and hardy sugarcane plant and its phytopathogens and endophytic fungi. The protocol has worked equally well in a number of monocot and dicot plants including rice, maize, linseed, Sesbania, opium poppy, Hyoscyamus, phytoplasma infected sugarcane leaves and smut infected sugarcane whip. The success of this modified protocol was assessed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based amplification and sequencing of amplicons, universality and reliability.

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