Genetic diversity analysis of sugarcane (Saccharum sp.) in Thailand using RAPD technique.

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used to study genetic relationship among 56 cultivars of Saccharum sp. Ninety-six decamer primers were screened and fifteen primers were able to amplify DNA fragments. Nine primers produced reproducible fragments with easily recordable bands which were selected for genetic diversity analysis. These primers produced multiple band profiles with a number of amplified DNA fragment varying from 7 (OPB17) to 13 (OPC19) with an average of 10. The Pearson’s similarity coefficients were used to construct a UPGMA dendrogram. Pair-wise estimates of genetic similarity were found to range from 0.102 to 0.998. The highest genetic similarity was observed in AsaToa, TP07-395, Asawa and SO10-06. The lowest genetic similarity of 0.102 was seen in SP80 and UT3. RAPD fingerprint could be of help to plant breeders in selecting genotypes with diverse genetic base for use in their breeding program to develop the new varieties of Saccharum sp. hybrid.