Introns of plant tubulin genes are useful molecular tools to study IME (Intron Mediated Enhancement of gene expression) and to define plant genetic and evolutionary relationships through ILP (Intron Length Polymorphism). Here we show that the intron present within the 5'UTR sequence of some rice beta-tubulin genes can sustain IME in rice transgenic plants and that degenerated oligonucleotide mixtures designed to amplify the first and the second intron present within the coding sequence of plant beta-tubulin genes can successfully detect ILPs among different bean varieties.