Molecular analysis of wheat genome by the use of random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers

Molecular markers have been found useful in assessing the genetic diversity in a precise manner, which is based on naturally occurring DNA polymorphism. In the present study, genetic diversity of seventeen wheat cultivars was accessed with RAPD markers to provide important support for genetic improvement and parent selection in the breeding programme. Thirteen RAPD primers in the study yielded 86 polymorphic bands that discriminated 17 wheat genotypes in 2 clusters showing nearly 60% polymorphism. Primer 4 SS gave highest polymorphism (80%) followed by 8 SS with 71.4% polymorphism among 17 genotypes showing the great promise of RAPD in genetic diversity analysis. The genotypes NWL-6-4 and NIAW 1342 were clustered together in the same group while all other genotypes were clustered in another group. From this study, it can be concluded that RAPD technique is effective to be used for determination and estimation of genetic distances and relatedness among plant genotypes.