Genetic diversity of mulberry (Morus spp.) genotypes using RAPD markers

India is recognized as one of the twelve mega biodiversity centers of the world and harbors 11.9% of the world flora. The plant genetic diversity is being recognized by the International Conservation Community as a basic key component for the sustainable development of agriculture, horticulture and sericulture. Rich source of wild relatives of mulberry flora are reported to occur in Himalayan belts. Germplasm evaluation is essential in any crop improvement programme and genetic characterization at morphological and molecular level is very vital for breeding programs to be successful. Thirty RAPD markers generated a total of 179 alleles across 17 genotypes and the number of alleles per locus varied from 4 (OPA 13) to 9 (OPBB 13) with an average of 5.96 per locus. The similarity coefficient ranged from 0.74 to 0.93 with an average of 0.84. The highest similarity value 0.93 was recorded between SKM-33 and KNG and SKM -33 and Goshoerami, lowest similarity coefficient (0.74) was found between local mulberry and Kokuso-20. Cluster analysis by Unweighted Pair Group Method using Arithmetic average (UPGMA) grouped 17 mulberry genotypes/selections into 8 different clusters. Cluster2 contain highest (6) genotypes.