Genetic diversity of the genus Gnaphalium in China assayed using random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis

We have analyzed the genetic diversity and affinity relationships among five species and eight populations of the Genus Gnaphalium from the Jiangsu and Zhejiang Provinces of China. The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used to analyze genetic diversity, and a dendrogram figure was constructed using the Unweighted Pair Group Method (UPGMA). Thirty RAPD primers were tested, the amplified DNA fragments range from 0.25 to 2 kb. Seven from 30 primers were selected for polymorphic analysis, a total of 328 DNA bands were detected. Cluster analysis using the UPGMA method showed that eight samples could be classified into three types, which is in agreement with traditional morphological classification. In summary, RAPD markers provided a basis for the molecular identification of Herb Gnaphalii, and can be further used to study detailed genetic relationships within the Genus Gnaphalium.   Key words: Gnaphalium, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), genetic diversity, cluster analyses.