A method for detecting species in a target plant genus comprises the steps
of conducting PCR using at least one member selected from the group
consisting of primers (A) and (B), which can hybridize under stringent
conditions to a nucleic acid molecule having a common nucleotide sequence
for all species in the target plant genus in 45S rRNA precursor gene
sequence thereof, wherein 3' end of primer (A) can complementarily bind
to a base in ITS-1 sequence of the target plant genus when the primer
hybridizes to the nucleic acid molecule while 3' end of primer (B) can
complementarily bind to a base in ITS-2 sequence of the target plant
genus when the primer hybridizes to the nucleic acid molecule, and
identifying the presence of the resulting amplification product from PCR
containing at least a part of ITS-1 or ITS-2 sequence of the target plant
genus.The method for detecting species in a target plant genus,
particularly an allergenic plant genus such as the genus Fagopyrum, can
make it possible to detect with high sensitivity, for example, about 1
ppm of the plant(s) in cases where the plant(s) is contained in a food
ingredient or food product.