Genetic diversity analysis of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.Moench) accessions using RAPD markers

Abstract

Thirty-two sorghum genotypes were fingerprinted using 64 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Out of the total 814 loci generated, 794 loci (97.4%) were polymorphic and informative to differentiate the accessions. Cluster analysis grouped the 32 sorghum accessions into two major clusters. Among the 32 sorghum genotypes, AS 376 and K 2 were distantly related with a low similarity index of 0.28. These two accessions also differed considerably in plant height, earhead length and dry matter production. These two accessions with higher diversity at molecular level and phenotype will be ideal as parents in hybridization programme, to develop improved sorghum varieties.