Assessment of genetic diversity in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using RAPD markers

The present study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity of 10 wheat cultivars by Random Amplified Pol-ymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker. The genomic DNA of 10 wheat genotypes were amplified with 10 RAPD primers that produced 53 amplified band, out of which 23 band were polymorphic (43.39%). The number of fragment amplified per primer ranged from 4 to 9. Primer A01 generated maximum number of amplified band, out of which 5 band were polymorphic. Cluster analysis of wheat genotypes were based on UPGMA method. Cluster analysis of 10 wheat genotypes were classified in to two main group; single variety AKW 1071 was placed in first group and rest 9 variety were placed in second group. The pair wise similarity values ranged from 0.58% to 100% and showed that cultivars Raj-3765 and K-7903 were the closest with highest similarity value (100%), while genotypes AKW 1071 and K9006 showed minimum similarity value (62%). The present study indicated the presence of high genetic diversity among wheat cultivars, which could be used for the developing core collection of wheat germplasm for breeding purpose